EUR-1 certificate: standard and simplified procedures
Complete guide to EUR-1 certificates including when simplified procedures apply and how to use them.
The EUR.1 movement certificate is an official customs document that confirms the preferential origin of goods exported to countries with which the EU has concluded a free trade agreement. The certificate entitles the importer to a reduced or zero-duty tariff rate upon importation. The EUR.1 is issued by the customs authorities of the exporting country upon application by the exporter or their authorised representative.
When is a EUR.1 required?
A EUR.1 is required when goods are exported to a country that is party to a bilateral or regional trade agreement with the EU, and the exporter wishes to claim preferential tariff treatment. Examples include agreements with the United Kingdom (TCA), South Korea, Canada (CETA), and Japan (EPA).
Standard procedure
The standard procedure for obtaining a EUR.1 certificate follows these steps:
- The exporter completes the EUR.1 form (boxes 1 through 12)
- The exporter submits the form to the competent customs office together with the export declaration
- Customs verifies the origin declaration and supporting documentation
- Upon approval, the certificate is stamped and signed by customs (box 11)
- The original is sent with the goods to the importer
Simplified procedure for approved exporters
Approved Exporters may issue origin declarations themselves without customs involvement for each individual shipment. The simplified procedure offers significant advantages:
| Aspect | Standard procedure | Simplified procedure |
|---|---|---|
| Issued by | Customs | Exporter |
| Customs office visit | Yes, per shipment | No |
| Authorisation number | Not applicable | Required on declaration |
| Value threshold | None | None (with authorisation) |
| Lead time | 1-3 working days | Immediate |
Requirements for authorisation
To be recognised as an Approved Exporter, a company must meet the following requirements:
- Regular export of goods with preferential origin
- Adequate record-keeping of origin proofs and supplier declarations
- Sufficient knowledge of the applicable origin rules
- Willingness to cooperate with post-clearance customs audits
Common mistakes
The following errors regularly lead to rejection or delays of EUR.1 certificates:
- Incorrect goods description — the description in box 8 must correspond to the actual goods and the invoice
- Missing or incorrect CN code — the tariff commodity code must be correct and current
- Expired validity — a EUR.1 is valid for a maximum of 4 months after issuance (10 months for certain agreements)
- No supplier declaration — without a valid supplier declaration (long-term or single), customs may refuse the certificate
- Cumulation not correctly indicated — when applying bilateral or diagonal cumulation, this must be explicitly stated
Digitalisation and future outlook
The EU is working towards further digitalisation of origin proofs. The REX system and self-certification through origin statements on invoices are gaining ground. Nevertheless, the EUR.1 certificate remains the most common proof of origin for many trade flows outside the GSP system in the short term.
Related articles
- EUR-MED certificate: applications in the Pan-Euro-Mediterranean zone: How the EUR-MED certificate enables diagonal cumulation across the Pan-Euro-Mediterranean network.
- Form A: certificate of origin in the GSP system: How Form A certificates work within the Generalized System of Preferences for developing country exports.
- GSP simplified arrangements: REX system and thresholds: How the REX self-certification system replaces Form A for GSP beneficiary countries above the threshold.
Related downloads
- Whitepaper: Preferentiele oorsprong zonder risico: ROSA, BOI, and REX guidance with checklist templates for first audit sprint.
- AI-driven origin classification with explainability: How explainable AI improves origin classification accuracy, reduces disputes, and satisfies EU AI Act transparency requirements.
- Comparison: manual origin workflows vs PSRA: Showcase traceability and workflow speed-up versus spreadsheet process.
Related definitions
- EUR-1 certificate: The EUR-1 certificate (movement certificate) is the standard proof of preferential origin for exports to countries with a bilateral EU trade agreement.
- EUR-MED certificate: The EUR-MED certificate is the movement certificate variant enabling diagonal cumulation within the PEM zone and indicating whether cumulation was applied.
- Certificate of origin (Form A): Form A is the certificate of origin issued by developing countries as proof of preferential origin under the GSP (Generalized System of Preferences).
- Preferential origin: Preferential origin determines whether goods qualify for preferential treatment under a trade agreement.