Glossary / Certificate of Origin
Certificate of Origin — explained
A Certificate of Origin is a non-preferential (general) origin document that proves which country an exported good is deemed to originate from; it is issued when the importing country specifically requests it, or when a trade policy measure based on origin applies.
A Certificate of Origin is not a mandatory document, and unlike the A.TR and EUR.1, it does not provide any preferential tariff or duty reduction — it only proves where the goods came from. It is issued and approved by the chamber of commerce or industry the exporter belongs to; in some countries (particularly Arab countries), consular legalisation by the importing country is also required. Its legal basis is Articles 17-22 of Customs Law No. 4458 and Articles 29-42 of the Customs Regulation.
Under Turkish legislation, origin is divided into two separate regimes: preferential origin (which creates a right to a reduced duty under a trade agreement, and is proven with a EUR.1 or a statement on origin) and non-preferential origin (which only shows which country the goods were manufactured in, and creates no duty advantage). The Certificate of Origin falls into the second group, which is why it isn't the only document people mean when they refer to "proof of origin."
It is particularly often confused with the A.TR, but the two answer different questions: the A.TR shows that the goods are in free circulation under the Türkiye-EU Customs Union, not where the product came from. So it is not a contradiction for a product to enter the EU preferentially under an A.TR while, for the same product's shipment to a third country, a Certificate of Origin is requested instead — the two documents prove different things.
When You Encounter It
It comes up when specifically requested by the importing country, or when the goods are subject to a trade policy measure based on origin (such as an anti-dumping duty, a quantity restriction, or a quota); it is a document commonly encountered in shipments to markets outside the EU and the countries with which Türkiye has a free trade agreement.
In some countries (particularly Arab countries), consular legalisation by the importing country is added alongside chamber approval; this extra step adds time to document processing and, since it depends on the consulate's own working schedule, must be planned before the loading date.
What It Doesn't Cover
- A Certificate of Origin provides no preferential tariff or duty reduction; if a reduced duty is expected in the buyer's country, the document required is a EUR.1 or the statement on origin set out in the relevant agreement — not a Certificate of Origin. Whether inputs from more than one country can count towards preferential origin is a separate matter — see cumulation of origin.
Often Confused With
| Comparison | Difference |
|---|---|
| Certificate of Origin vs A.TR Movement Certificate | The A.TR is NOT a certificate of origin — it shows that the goods are in free circulation under the Türkiye-EU Customs Union, not which country they were manufactured in. The Certificate of Origin, by contrast, directly proves the goods' country of origin; the two answer different questions and are not interchangeable. |
| Certificate of Origin vs EUR.1 Movement Certificate | The EUR.1 proves preferential origin and creates a right to a reduced duty only under a trade agreement to which Türkiye is party. The Certificate of Origin, by contrast, is a non-preferential (general) proof of origin and provides no duty reduction at all — the two answer the same question ("where did the goods come from") with different legal consequences. |
Sample Documents
In Preparation
Sample Certificate of Origin
A sample non-preferential (general) Certificate of Origin, which conclusively documents which country the goods were commercially manufactured or obtained in. Approval by the Chamber of Commerce/Industry is mandatory.
Frequently Asked Questions
Where and how is a Certificate of Origin obtained?+
It is obtained by applying to the chamber of commerce or industry the exporter belongs to; the chamber reviews the relevant documentation and confirms that the goods are, or are deemed to be, of Turkish origin. For some destination countries, consular legalisation by the importing country is also required.
Is a Certificate of Origin the same document as A.TR?+
No. The A.TR shows that the goods are in free circulation under the Türkiye-EU Customs Union, not their origin. The Certificate of Origin directly proves which country the goods were manufactured in; which one is requested depends on the destination country and the scope of the shipment.
What is the difference between a Certificate of Origin and EUR.1?+
EUR.1 proves preferential origin and creates a right to a reduced duty under a trade agreement. The Certificate of Origin is a non-preferential, general proof of origin and provides no duty reduction; the two create different legal consequences.
Is a Certificate of Origin mandatory for every shipment?+
No, it is not mandatory. It is issued when the importing country specifically requests it, or when the goods are subject to a trade policy measure based on origin; if there is no request, there is no need to prepare one.
Is there a fee for the Certificate of Origin?+
There is a cost, according to the tariff of the issuing chamber of commerce or industry; there is no single fixed fee that applies across all chambers. For the current amount and any additional tax obligation, you should check with the relevant chamber — no fixed figure is given here because it varies from year to year and from chamber to chamber.
Let's handle this for your file, together
Let us apply the process we describe on this page to your own shipment as part of our Foreign Trade Documentation Tracking and Management service — request a quote or ask us directly on WhatsApp.
Related Terms
Where This Term Comes Up in Our Work
Certificate of Origin is one of the documents we track in our foreign trade documentation tracking and management service.
Foreign Trade Documentation Tracking and ManagementCollecting shipment documents, checking their consistency with each other, keeping a calendar for time-limited documents, and archive management.The Turkish original of this page was reviewed by our licensed customs broker. This translation is provided for information; the Turkish version prevails.
Source
Republic of Türkiye Ministry of Trade — Customs Procedures Frequently Asked Questions (Origin) — Legal basis: Customs Law No. 4458, Articles 17-22, and the Customs Regulation, Articles 29-42. The chamber approval procedure is based on the regulations of the Chamber of Commerce or Industry of which the exporter is a member.
Last updated: September 27, 2026