A.TR, EUR.1 and Certificate of Origin: Which Document Do You Need When Importing from Turkey?

When goods are exported from Turkey, three trade documents come up again and again: the A.TR certificate, the EUR.1 movement certificate and the certificate of origin. They are often confused, but each serves a different purpose, and using the wrong one can mean paying duty you did not need to pay. This guide explains, in general terms, what each document is for. Rules change and depend on your country and product, so always confirm the current requirements with your customs broker before shipping.

Background: the EU–Turkey Customs Union

Turkey and the European Union have a customs union that covers industrial goods and processed agricultural products. Goods covered by the customs union that are in free circulation in Turkey can move to the EU without customs duties, and vice versa. Basic agricultural products and coal and steel products are outside the customs union and are dealt with under separate preferential agreements. This distinction is what decides which document you need.

The A.TR movement certificate

The A.TR certifies that goods are in free circulation in Turkey (or the EU) and therefore qualify for customs union treatment. Important points:

• It is used for industrial goods and processed agricultural products traded between Turkey and the EU.
• It is not a proof of origin. Goods do not need to be “made in Turkey”; they need to be in free circulation there.
• In Turkey it is issued through the exporter’s application, usually with the involvement of the chamber of commerce or industry, and endorsed by customs.
• Even with an A.TR, import VAT and any applicable anti-dumping or other trade defence duties may still apply in the destination country.

The EUR.1 movement certificate

The EUR.1 is a proof of preferential origin. It is used where trade takes place under a free trade agreement that requires goods to meet rules of origin, for example:

• Agricultural products and coal and steel products traded between Turkey and the EU, which are outside the customs union.
• Trade under Turkey’s free trade agreements with other countries, where that agreement uses EUR.1 or similar proofs.

To issue a EUR.1, the product must satisfy the origin rules of the relevant agreement. Some agreements also allow an origin declaration on the invoice instead of a certificate, subject to conditions. The UK, for example, left the EU customs union, so trade between Turkey and the UK is governed by its own trade agreement and its own proof-of-origin rules; an A.TR is not the relevant document there.

The (non-preferential) certificate of origin

A standard certificate of origin states the country where goods were produced, without granting any tariff preference. In Turkey it is typically issued by chambers of commerce and industry. Buyers need it when:

• The importing country requires proof of origin for customs, statistics or trade measures.
• A letter of credit or the buyer’s contract requires it.
• No preferential agreement applies, but origin still needs to be documented.

Quick comparison

• A.TR: proves free circulation; customs union goods between Turkey and the EU.
• EUR.1: proves preferential origin under a free trade agreement; allows reduced or zero duty if the agreement’s rules are met.
• Certificate of origin: proves country of origin; no tariff preference in itself.

Common mistakes

1. Assuming “made in Turkey” means duty-free everywhere. It depends on the destination country and the agreement that applies.
2. Using an A.TR for products outside the customs union, such as basic agricultural products.
3. Errors in the document: descriptions, quantities or invoice numbers that do not match the commercial invoice and packing list can lead customs to reject the preference.
4. Not agreeing in the contract who provides which document. Specify the required documents in your purchase order and in your Incoterms discussion, and in the letter of credit if you use one.

Plan documents before production

The right document depends on the product’s tariff classification, its origin and the destination. Agree these questions with the supplier and your customs broker at the order stage, not when the truck is at the border. Our customs clearance guide and import tariffs overview cover related costs.

Working with MOPCONS

Under our Supply Chain Management service we coordinate freight and manage customs documentation for both origin and destination. Our team is based in Ataşehir, İstanbul. Send us the product, estimated quantities, target price range and destination country: email info@mopcons.com, call +90 216 606 38 63 or message us on WhatsApp (+90 533 339 52 02), or use the contact form.