EUR.1

Definition and principle

The EUR.1 certificate is an official preferential origin proof document issued by the customs authorities of the exporting country. It allows the product to benefit from reduced or zero customs duties upon import in the partner country under the applicable free trade agreement.

Legal framework

The EUR.1 certificate is provided for in the origin protocols of most free trade agreements concluded by the EU (Mediterranean agreements, ACP, Western Balkans, etc.). Its format is standardised and appears in the annexes to origin protocols. Implementing Regulation (EU) 2015/2447 (articles 61 to 66) governs the issuance procedures. With the rise of the REX system and invoice origin declarations, the EUR.1 is being progressively replaced in certain agreements.

Practical operation

• The exporter fills in the EUR.1 form and submits it to their customs authorities with supporting origin documentation
• Customs verify the information and endorse (stamp and sign) the certificate
• The certificate accompanies the goods and is presented upon import in the destination country
• The certificate is valid for 4 months from its date of issue (10 months in certain special cases)
• In case of doubt, the importing country's authorities may request a post-clearance verification from the exporting country's authorities

Common mistakes

• Presenting an expired EUR.1 (validity period exceeded)
• Errors in the form boxes (inconsistent goods description, missing HS code)
• Using an EUR.1 under an agreement that no longer provides for it (some recent agreements only accept origin declarations)
• Not requesting the customs endorsement before the actual export