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EUR.1 certificate: what to check before claiming the tariff preference

Updated on · ClearBerth

In short

The EUR.1 is the movement certificate that proves preferential origin under the European Union's trade agreements, including those with Morocco, Algeria and Tunisia. Before using it, check that it is an original endorsed by the export customs office, then that the exporter, origin, packages and weight match the invoice and the bills of lading.

The boxes on the form

  • Box 1: the exporter.
  • Box 2: the countries or groups of countries between which the certificate is used.
  • Box 3: the consignee (optional).
  • Box 4: the country or group of countries of origin of the goods.
  • Box 5: the country of destination.
  • Box 6: transport details (optional).
  • Box 7: remarks — for instance a statement that the certificate was issued retrospectively.
  • Box 8: item number, marks and numbers, number and kind of packages, description of goods.
  • Box 9: gross mass (kg) or other measure.
  • Box 10: invoices (optional).
  • Box 11: customs or competent authority endorsement — stamp, date and signature.
  • Box 12: the exporter's declaration.

Original or copy?

The official form is printed on a green guilloche background that reveals any forgery. A black-and-white photocopy or scan has no such background: it is the first sign that the original is not in hand.

Box 11 must carry the endorsement of the export customs office. Without a legible stamp and date, the certificate cannot support the preference.

What to reconcile with the other documents

  • The exporter (box 1) with the shipper on the commercial invoice.
  • The country of origin (box 4) with the origin stated line by line on the invoice — an invoice may mix several origins, and an origin outside the scope of the agreement is not covered.
  • The number of packages and the description (box 8) with the packing list and bills of lading.
  • The gross mass (box 9) with the gross weight on the House B/L and Master B/L.
  • The invoice references (box 10) with the invoice actually provided.
  • The endorsement date (box 11) with the shipment date: a certificate dated after shipment must carry the retrospective issue statement.

When the EUR.1 is not the right document

Between European Union member states, goods move freely: no preferential certificate of origin is needed. Depending on the agreement and the value of the consignment, origin may also be proven by an origin declaration on the invoice. And the certificate's period of validity is set by the applicable origin protocol: refer to that text for the agreement concerned.

Frequently asked questions

What is the EUR.1 certificate used for?

It proves the preferential origin of goods under a European Union trade agreement, which allows the importer to benefit from a reduced or zero customs duty in the country of destination.

How do I recognise an original EUR.1?

The original form is printed on a green guilloche background and carries, in box 11, the endorsement of the export customs office (stamp, date, signature). A black-and-white copy has no such background.

Can the EUR.1 be dated after the bill of lading?

A certificate may be issued after export in the cases provided for by the origin protocol; it then carries a statement in box 7 that it was issued retrospectively. Without that statement, a date later than shipment needs explaining.

These checks, on every shipment, in one minute

ClearBerth compares packing list, House B/L, Master B/L, invoice and EUR.1, and shows you every discrepancy with the document to correct.

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