Reduce import duties with the EUR.1 certificate

In this article, you can read what an EUR.1 is, when you can use it and how to apply for it. 

What is an EUR.1?

An EUR.1 is a preferential certificate of origin. ‘Preferential’ means ‘advantage’. ‘Origin’ refers to where a product was made. With this document, you or your customer pay lower or no import duties. The official name is ‘EUR.1 Movement Certificate’. You may only use an EUR.1 for products that follow the preferential rules of origin. These rules are set out in the trade agreement between the EU and the contracting country.

When should you use an EUR.1?

You should use an EUR.1 if:

• You are exporting to or importing from a country with which the EU has a trade agreement.
• The product is of preferential origin.
• The importer abroad or you yourself want to pay lower import duties.

If you do not meet all 3 of these conditions, an EUR.1 certificate is usually of no use. If there is no import duty on your product, you do not need to use an EUR.1 certificate either. Check this in the European Commission’s My Trade Assistant.

Preferential rules of origin

If your product has preferential origin status, you will pay lower import duties. You can check whether your product qualifies by referring to the preferential rules of origin. Read the article containing a detailed explanation of these preferential rules of origin.

Import and export

This article focuses primarily on the use of an EUR.1 certificate for exports. Are you exporting to a country with which the EU has a trade agreement? If so, you must apply for an EUR.1 certificate from KVK. KVK will then check whether the products you are exporting are of preferential origin. Check well in advance of delivering the products whether you can use an EUR.1 certificate for this purpose. The administrative work involved takes time and may affect your selling price.

Are you importing products from a country with which the EU has a trade agreement? If so, ask your supplier to include an EUR.1 certificate with the delivery.

How do you apply for the EUR.1 certificate?

You can apply for the EUR.1 certificate digitally from KVK for each export shipment. There are 2 ways to do this. You can arrange this online through an intermediary or ask a logistics service provider for help. Read how to request an EUR.1 certificate digitally. Below you can read what you need for your application.

What do you need with your application?

You can apply for an EUR.1 certificate digitally if you are a producer, trader or logistics service provider. You demonstrate the preferential origin with specific supporting documents.

• If you are a producer, you must demonstrate that your product meets the conditions in the trade agreement with the exporting country. To do so, please contact KVK. Make sure you have the correct commodity/HS code for your product at hand.
• If you are a trader, you can request a supplier's declaration of preferential origin 2015/2447 from your supplier. You can also provide a copy of the purchase and sales invoice to KVK.
• If you are a logistics service provider, provide the same proof as a manufacturer or trader. Also obtain authorisation from your client in which they agree to this.

Validating

When KVK validates the EUR.1, you will receive 2 copies back. 1 copy for the Customs Administration that validates the document, and 1 original. This validation is called an endorsement. Customs will place an endorsement on the original (in Dutch: visering). After this, you send the original along with your shipment. Discuss with your logistics service provider whether they will arrange validation with Customs for you.

Invoice declaration instead of EUR.1

Countries are increasingly moving away from using the EUR.1. Instead, you will need an invoice declaration for exports or imports. An invoice declaration is a preferential declaration of origin. You include this on your own sales invoice. Verification by KVK or the Customs Administration is not required. However, you may sometimes need a licence from the Customs Administration, or to be registered with the Customs Administration. You can choose to have KVK check your invoice declaration. This way, you can be sure that your declaration is correct.

What does an EUR.1 cost?

The cost of an EUR.1 is made up of different elements.

• KVK administrative charges for issuing the document(s). You will receive a monthly collective invoice for this. The administrative charges for export documents are set out in the tariff overview.
• Any administrative charges charged by an intermediary.
• Any administrative charges charged by a logistics service provider.

An intermediary and a logistics service provider also charge costs for providing services.