We help customers assess when an EUR.1 or A.TR movement certificate is needed and what conditions must be met to apply for a customs duty preference or exemption in the destination country. We advise customers on the documents required to apply for the certificate and explain how the movement certificate affects customs clearance and the calculation of customs duties. ETS Logistics is a customs agency licensed by the Estonian Tax and Customs Board. Where required, we help assess — before the transaction takes place — whether a movement certificate can be used for the specific goods and whether a customs duty preference can be applied.
For exports, we issue EUR.1 and A.TR movement certificates for Estonian customers so that the consignee can use a customs duty preference in the destination country. For imports, we advise customers on whether the shipment should be accompanied by an EUR.1 or A.TR certificate and whether it provides a customs duty preference in Estonia. In that case, the certificate is issued by the seller in the country of origin.
Movement certificates are used in situations where goods move from Estonia or other European Union countries to countries covered by a free trade agreement, or as part of trade between the European Union and Türkiye. The EUR.1 movement certificate proves the origin of the goods under the specific agreement. The A.TR movement certificate proves that the goods are in free circulation in the European Union or Türkiye.
Our service for EUR.1 and A.TR movement certificates stands out for its practical, explanatory approach. Our customs declarants support customers in preparing the documents required to issue the certificate and help assess when using a movement certificate is necessary. We explain the process in plain language and help prevent common mistakes before the certificate is applied for.
Several customs declarants work in our customs department. This lets us respond quickly and provide operational help even when there are multiple shipments or the schedule is tight.
We draw up hundreds of customs declarations and movement certificates every year. As a result, we know the requirements of the Estonian Tax and Customs Board (EMTA) and common practices well. We work to best practice to ensure correct documentation and that customs duty preferences are applied in line with the applicable regulations.
We are a customs agency licensed by the Estonian Tax and Customs Board (EMTA). Services related to EUR.1 and A.TR movement certificates are part of our core customs service. Our customs department grew out of the practical need to support non-EU imports and exports as one complete process. Because the main focus of our logistics department is international shipments that start or end outside the European Union, the need also arose to offer customers proof-of-origin solutions from the same place.
This need is what got us started supporting customers in the use of EUR.1 and A.TR movement certificates. Over the years, this has grown into a significant part of our customs service. The central role is played by correct documentation, assessing the goods’ origin and adhering to the applicable customs regulations. For us, this is not just a formal document. The movement certificate is part of a well-considered, managed supply chain and directly affects the application of customs duty preferences.
To date we have operated as a customs agency for over 10 years. Several customs declarants work in our customs department. We have advised and supported hundreds of companies in the use of movement certificates. We help assess when an EUR.1 movement certificate or an A.TR movement certificate is needed and ensure correct documentation in line with the applicable rules and practices. The service can be used by businesses and private customers alike, whether or not the transport was booked with us or with another provider.
EUR.1 and A.TR movement certificates are linked to proving the goods’ origin and to applying for a customs duty preference or exemption in international trade. They are used in situations where goods are exported from the European Union to a destination country, are imported into the European Union, or in trade between the European Union and Türkiye.
The table below gives an overview of the main services and processes with which our customs declarants support customers every day for issuing EUR.1 and A.TR movement certificates, using them, and assessing their impact on customs clearance.
| Service | Content | When it is used | Typical use case |
|---|---|---|---|
| Issuing an EUR.1 movement certificate | Issuing an EUR.1 movement certificate to prove the origin of the goods | When goods are exported to a destination country and there is a possibility to apply for a customs duty preference or exemption | Export of goods to, for example, Ukraine or Mexico |
| Issuing an A.TR movement certificate | Issuing an A.TR movement certificate to prove the goods' free-circulation status | When goods move between the European Union and Türkiye and there is a possibility to apply for a customs duty preference | Export of goods to Türkiye |
| Assessing the use of a movement certificate | We assess whether, for the specific route and transaction, EUR.1 or A.TR makes it possible to apply for a customs duty preference or exemption | Before export or import customs clearance | A company wants to assess potential customs duty preferences before the transaction |
| Proving the goods' origin | For EUR.1 we check the documents proving the goods' origin (e.g. manufacturer's confirmation or supplier's declaration) | When applying for an EUR.1 movement certificate | The exporter provides the documents proving origin, which are a prerequisite for applying for the certificate |
| Customs advice on movement certificates | Advice on certificates of origin, documents and customs procedures | When planning exports and imports | A company is starting exports to a new market and needs clarity on the requirements |
Our service related to EUR.1 and A.TR movement certificates is intended for companies, organisations and public-sector institutions that export goods from Estonia or other European Union countries and want the consignee to be able to use a customs duty preference or exemption in the destination country.
The service is also suitable for importers bringing goods into Estonia or other European Union countries that want to assess whether an EUR.1 or A.TR movement certificate makes it possible to apply a customs duty preference or exemption in Estonia.
EUR.1 and A.TR movement certificates are used in situations where the movement of goods allows a customs duty preference or exemption to be applied under the applicable rules. Use of the certificate depends on the movement of the goods, the destination country and the terms of the transaction.
Below are the main countries for which EUR.1 and A.TR movement certificates are used.
Practical guidance for using and preparing EUR.1 and A.TR movement certificates. We share information on proving the goods’ origin, the documents needed and the conditions for applying for the certificates. We cover the most common questions and situations that may arise in international trade when seeking a customs duty preference or exemption. We also explain the requirements and conditions that may apply in different countries and transactions.
Questions about EUR.1 and A.TR movement certificates usually concern when the certificate can be used, what documents are needed to apply for it, and when the certificate gives the right to apply for a customs duty preference or exemption. Practical questions also arise about proving the goods’ origin, issuing the certificate and its use in import and export customs clearance.
A.TR and EUR.1 are movement certificates used in international trade to apply for customs duty preferences. The A.TR certificate is used in trade between the European Union and Türkiye. It proves that the goods have been released for free circulation in the EU or Türkiye and, for certain goods, makes it possible to apply for a customs duty exemption or preferential rate.
The EUR.1 certificate proves the goods’ origin under a specific free trade agreement (e.g. between the EU and Ukraine, Switzerland or Mexico). The certificate is the basis for applying for a preferential customs duty or a customs duty exemption.
It is important to bear in mind that a certificate of origin does not automatically grant a tax exemption — the conditions of the relevant agreement must be met and the goods must comply with the rules of origin.
When importing, you should request the EUR.1 or A.TR certificate from the exporter of the goods.
The certificate is generally issued by the exporter through their country’s customs authority before the goods leave. The importer cannot draw up this document in another country.
We recommend clarifying the need for the certificate before the transaction takes place, so the exporter can issue it in good time and include it with the shipment documents.
If there is no valid EUR.1 or A.TR certificate at the time of import, the goods are declared at the standard customs duty rate.
This means that the customs duty must be paid in full. Submitting the certificate later may, in some cases, allow recovery of overpaid customs duty, but it depends on the specific situation and the applicable time limits.
We recommend always checking that the certificate is in place before submitting the import declaration, to avoid additional time and possible extra work.
For exports, the certificate is issued by the exporter (the consignor of the goods).
The EUR.1 or A.TR certificate must be applied for before the goods leave, and it is confirmed by the customs authority. To apply for the certificate, the exporter must prove the goods’ origin or free-circulation status.
On request, we help the exporter assess whether issuing the certificate is possible and justified for the specific goods, and what documents are needed.
In certain cases the certificate can be issued retroactively, but this requires correct documents and customs authority approval.
In any case, we recommend avoiding situations where the certificate is not issued before the goods leave. Insufficient document preparation can cause problems in the destination country — for example, the consignee may refuse to declare the goods without the certificate. In that case the goods may be left stranded at the border or terminal, resulting in delays, storage costs and additional administrative burden.
In practice, it is always sensible to consider the need for the certificate in advance, confirm it with the consignee and issue the documents correctly before the goods leave. Where required, we help review this in advance.
No, it does not. The certificate is the basis for applying for a preferential customs duty or a customs duty exemption, but the goods must comply with the conditions of the relevant free trade agreement, including the rules of origin used to establish the customs value.
When processing the declaration, customs checks the accuracy of the documents and may, where required, ask for additional evidence of the goods’ origin.
We help the customer assess — before the transaction takes place — whether, for the specific goods and country of origin, a tax preference can be applied based on the certificate.
Practical articles on using and preparing EUR.1 and A.TR movement certificates. We cover proving the goods’ origin, the documents needed and the conditions under which a customs duty preference or exemption can be applied for. We also explain the most common questions that arise when using the certificate in import and export customs clearance, including the presence of the certificate, retroactive issuance and goods-origin requirements.
