ATR

Definition and principle

The ATR certificate is the movement document specific to trade between the European Union and Turkey under their customs union for industrial products. Unlike EUR.1 certificates which attest preferential origin, the ATR certifies that goods are in free circulation in the EU or Turkey.

Legal framework

The EU-Turkey customs union was established by Decision No 1/95 of the EC-Turkey Association Council. The ATR certificate is governed by Decision No 1/2006 of the EC-Turkey Customs Cooperation Committee which defines its format and procedures. The ATR covers industrial products (HS chapters 25 to 97), excluding ECSC products (coal and steel) and agricultural products (which fall under separate preferential regimes with EUR.1).

Practical operation

• The ATR is issued by the customs authorities of the exporting country (EU or Turkey) after verifying that goods are in free circulation
• Goods in free circulation are those produced in the EU/Turkey or imported from third countries for which customs duties have been paid
• The ATR allows import into the other customs union party duty-free
• The certificate must be presented at import within 4 months of its issuance

Key considerations

• The ATR does not cover agricultural products: for these, an EUR.1 certificate or origin declaration is required
• The ATR is not a proof of origin: it attests free circulation, not the origin of goods
• Since EU-Turkey trade tensions, reinforced controls have been implemented on certain sensitive products (steel, aluminium)