ATR or EUR.1? Differences in Circulation Documents
In international trade, the origin of products and their right to free movement play a crucial role in customs procedures and tax regulations. Food and chemical importers must remember to properly prepare the origin documents for their exports. In this context, movement documents such as the ATR (A.TR Movement Certificate) and the EUR.1 (EUR.1 Certificate of Origin) are crucial in trade between the European Union (EU) and Turkey, as well as in agreements with other countries. These documents determine the origin of products, customs advantages, and the various rules that regulate trade. Knowing when and how to use the ATR and EUR.1 documents is a critical step for proper trade and tax practices.
The ATR Document is a document used in trade between Turkey and the EU within the framework of the Turkish Customs Union. The A.TR document provides customs duty exemption in trade between Turkey and the EU and proves the product's Turkish origin. The ATR document is used only for imports of Turkish-origin products into the EU. This document demonstrates that the product was produced and processed in Turkey and that Turkey is eligible for customs exemptions or reduced tax tariffs under agreements with the EU. For food importers, the ATR certificate offers a particular advantage in allowing food products of Turkish origin to enter the EU market. This certificate can eliminate customs duties and other trade restrictions, creating cost advantages for importers.
Furthermore, the ATR certificate is only valid for certain products, and in some cases, additional documentation regarding local production and processing may be required to prove the product's Turkish origin. To issue this certificate, companies producing in Turkey must obtain approval from the Ministry of Customs and Trade and also provide the necessary analysis reports, labeling information, and quality certificates for the food products. The ATR certificate is a crucial document, particularly for companies trading in the EU market, as it ensures the application of favorable tariffs at customs.
The EUR.1 Certificate is a certificate of origin used based on free trade agreements between the European Union and countries other than Turkey. This certificate is required for products to benefit from customs exemptions under free trade agreements with the EU. The EUR.1 document is generally used for products manufactured or processed in non-EU countries and, to provide customs exemption, demonstrates that the product's country of origin complies with a trade agreement signed with a party to the agreement. Chemical importers can obtain customs duty exemptions based on free trade agreements with the EU by using the EUR.1 document.
The advantage of the EUR.1 document is that, in addition to providing customs duty reductions or exemptions, it is based solely on trade agreements with specific countries. For example, the EUR.1 document can be used in trade with countries not included in the free trade agreements between Turkey and the EU. For the EUR.1 document to be valid, the company producing or processing the product must be a party to the free trade agreement of its country of origin. Therefore, there are important points to consider when issuing this document. Furthermore, the EUR.1 document can provide customs exemption for a specific period after the product crosses the EU.
Differences Between ATR and EUR.1 Documents
The main differences between the ATR and EUR.1 documents are the geographical regions and trade agreements in which these documents are used. While the ATR document is only valid for trade between Turkey and the EU, the EUR.1 document is valid based on free trade agreements with countries outside Turkey. The ATR document facilitates the entry of products originating in Turkey into the EU, while the EUR.1 document provides customs exemptions for products produced or processed in countries outside the EU. Both documents are used to provide customs duty advantages and prove the origin of products, but their scope of use and validity differ.
Which document to use depends on the importer's country of operation and the region in which they trade. For products originating in Turkey, the ATR document is required for exports to the EU, but the EUR.1 document can be used in other free trade agreements to which Turkey is a party. Importers should understand the differences between these two documents and the circumstances in which each document is required, as issuing and submitting both documents is crucial for benefiting from customs exemptions.
