Rules of Origin
"How do rules of origin affect customs duties in Turkey?"
Quick Answer
Rules of origin determine whether goods qualify for preferential duty rates under Turkey’s FTAs. Preferential status is typically proven by EUR.1 or EUR-MED certificates or an origin declaration. For EU–Turkey Customs Union trade, A.TR evidences free circulation (not origin). Origin rules depend on the relevant agreement and often rely on tariff shift, value-added, or specific processing criteria.
International Trade Framework
Rules of origin are critical in Turkish customs practice because they directly affect duty treatment, documentation requirements, and compliance risk. In Turkey, preferential origin must be assessed under the specific FTA or preferential regime, while non-preferential origin may be relevant for measures such as trade policy requirements and certain controls.
Key Points to Remember
- Preferential origin is proven by EUR.1 or EUR-MED certificates or an origin declaration, depending on the relevant agreement
- In EU–Turkey Customs Union trade, A.TR generally evidences free circulation (it is not an origin certificate)
- Origin rules are agreement-specific and commonly use tariff shift, value-added, or specific processing tests
- Errors in origin documentation can lead to duty assessments, penalties, and loss of preferences
Practical Applications
To benefit from preferential duties in Turkey, businesses should align product classification (HS code), supplier declarations, and production records with the applicable origin rule. Documentation must match the preferential regime used (EUR.1/EUR-MED/origin declaration or, where applicable, A.TR for free circulation).
Strong internal files (BOM, costing, processing steps, supplier statements) reduce audit risk and help defend preference claims during customs controls.
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