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EUR.1 certificate of origin: How to reduce customs duties on Turkish goods
What is the EUR.1 certificate?
The EUR.1 certificate of origin is an official document issued by the customs authorities in the exporting country (for example, Turkey). It certifies that the imported goods originate in a country that has a preferential trade agreement with the European Union.
Turkey is part of the Customs Union (Zollunion) with the EU. This allows:
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Full exemption from customs duties for certain industrial products, and
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Reduced customs duties for some agricultural and semi-processed products,
on the condition that the goods:
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are entirely of Turkish origin, or
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have undergone sufficient processing or manufacturing in Turkey.
When is the EUR.1 certificate used?
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When importing goods from Turkey into Germany and you want to benefit from exemption from customs duties (Zoll).
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The certificate must be requested at the time of export; it is issued by the Turkish customs authorities and sent together with the shipping documents and invoice.
What exactly do you gain from it?
| Situation | With EUR.1 | Without EUR.1 |
|---|---|---|
| Industrial goods (clothing, tools, electronics …) | No Zoll (full exemption from customs) | Zoll typically around 4–10% |
| Agricultural goods (vegetables, oils …) | Partial reduction of customs duties | Full customs rate according to the tariff |
➤ You are still required to pay import VAT (EUSt) at a rate of 19% in all cases. The EUR.1 certificate only reduces or removes customs duties (Zoll) – it does not exempt you from EUSt.
What conditions must be met to benefit from EUR.1?
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The goods must be manufactured or sufficiently processed in Turkey, not merely repackaged or re-exported.
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The certificate must be issued before or at the time of export, not after the import has taken place.
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The original document must be presented to German customs during clearance.
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It may only be amended or filled in by the competent customs authority, not manually by the exporter.
Financial example
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You import a shipment of Turkish clothing worth €20,000.
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The standard customs duty rate is 10% without EUR.1.
➤ You would pay €2,000 in Zoll.
With a valid EUR.1 certificate:
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You receive full exemption from customs duties.
➤ You only pay EUSt = €3,800 (19% of €20,000).
You have saved €2,000 immediately, thanks to a single certificate.
Is there an electronic alternative to EUR.1?
Yes. In some cases, the Turkish exporter can use a declaration of origin on the invoice (Ursprungserklärung auf der Rechnung) instead of the EUR.1 form, provided that:
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The exporter is registered as an approved exporter.
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If they are not approved, the value of the shipment must not exceed €6,000.
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Approved exporters may use the invoice declaration even for shipments exceeding €6,000.
Is EUR.1 useful only for Turkish goods?
No. The EUR.1 certificate is also used in trade with other countries that have preferential trade agreements with the EU, such as:
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Morocco, Tunisia, Egypt, Jordan
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Switzerland, Norway, Albania
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Mexico, Canada (CETA)
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and other partner countries
Quick summary
| Question | Answer |
|---|---|
| What does the EUR.1 certificate provide? | Exemption or reduction of customs duties on goods |
| Does it replace VAT? | No, it only affects Zoll, not EUSt |
| Must it be requested before export? | Yes, before or at the time of export |
| Are electronic copies accepted? | No, the original document must be presented |
| Can an invoice declaration replace it? | In some cases, especially for small shipments or approved exporters |
The editorial team aims to provide accurate and well-researched information based on multiple sources. Nevertheless, errors or uncertainties cannot be completely ruled out. The information in this article should therefore be treated as initial guidance, and you should always consult the competent customs and tax authorities for final and legally binding advice.
