EUR 1 certificate: opening new markets for Ukrainian business

Free trade — this is the opportunity opened by the association between Ukraine and the EU, which was established in 2017. Since then, Europe and Ukraine have begun economic cooperation, and Ukrainian rules and regulations have been aligned with EU standards. Could Ukrainian entrepreneurs work in the EU without signing this agreement? Yes. So why the agreement? We explain in the article.

What is the EUR 1 certificate and why is it needed

The main advantage of the harmonized law is the reduction or complete removal of duties and standard tariffs on a portion of goods. However, not everyone can benefit from this — only holders of the EUR 1 certificate, which confirms that the purchased goods were produced in Europe or Ukraine. Other features of this document include:

• it allows customs clearance of the cargo;
• it reduces the cost of the goods for the recipient;
• it can be obtained free of charge — if you have enough patience and stamina.

Please note that the declaration must be personally signed by the manufacturer if it is in paper form. If it is electronic — no signature is required. Other conditions for processing include:

• it is issued only for one batch of goods being exported;
• it is issued by a customs official at the time of export;
• for subsequent shipments, submitting the declaration again is unnecessary if a long-term declaration was submitted with the first shipment;
• it is very important to indicate the number and date of the export declaration issued for a specific batch of goods.

How to get the EUR 1 certificate

Obtaining it on your own is like reading Stephen King for the first time — nothing is clear, but very intriguing. In our case, it’s interesting how many legal authorities you need to contact and how to properly file and appeal a rejection in case of refusal.

Is the EUR 1 certificate required for exporting non-Ukrainian goods?

No, it does not apply to products not manufactured in Ukraine.

Who issues the EUR 1 certificate?

The customs authorities of Ukraine, namely customs offices and their departments authorized to issue the document:

• Department of customs payments, customs value, and customs-tariff unit
• Customs clearance departments

How long is the document valid?

The validity period is 4 months.

To obtain the certificate for free, you need the following documents:

• a written or electronic statement confirming that you have a declaration from the exporters;
• a declaration from the manufacturer with preferential origin status;
• an electronic copy of the certificate filled out according to the form's requirements.

EUR 1 Certificate sample, photo.

EUR 1 Certificate for Import

The main function during import into Ukraine is providing a special preferential customs clearance regime:

• Reduction or elimination of duties. Thanks to the Association Agreement between Ukraine and the European Union, as well as other free trade agreements, goods originating from partner countries may be exempt from import duties or subject to reduced rates.
• Simplification of customs procedures. Since the origin of the product is verified, the time and complexity of customs inspection are reduced.
• Confirmation of legal origin. The document certifies that the product was produced or processed in a country with which Ukraine has a free trade agreement.

Besides the EU, there are other countries with which trade agreements apply: Iceland, Liechtenstein, Norway, Switzerland, Canada, Georgia, Turkey, and others.

We also recommend reading about bans on the import of goods into Ukraine.

EUR 1 Certificate for Export

Let’s summarize the main functions of the document when importing goods into other countries:

• Reduction or elimination of import duties for the importer.
• Increased competitiveness of Ukrainian goods. Reduced or no duties make products more attractive to foreign buyers. This contributes to higher export volumes and the expansion of businesses into new markets.
• Simplification of customs procedures.
• Confirmation of the origin of the goods from Ukraine.

Therefore, the EUR 1 certificate is mutually beneficial for countries that have signed a trade agreement.

Key advantages of obtaining it

The certificate can be obtained within 8 hours, and most importantly — free of charge. Of course, only if all documents are in order and on hand. But even these advantages do not eliminate the fact that some paperwork and declarations still need to be collected, which means paperwork cannot be avoided.

An unpleasant situation may also arise if you are refused the certificate for various reasons. Accordingly, you can find out whether you received the certificate or were denied through a legal representative or by mail to the address you provided during the document submission.

Customs brokerage services

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Main Advantages and Disadvantages of Obtaining

Reducing or eliminating customs duties is a significant benefit for an entrepreneur. However, obtaining an EUR.1 certificate can be more complicated than it seems. Let’s review the pros and cons.

Keep in mind that obtaining the certificate imposes certain limitations on the delivery method: it must be direct (with some exceptions for transit). Therefore, before applying for EUR.1, consult a customs broker.

Who can help with obtaining the EUR 1 certificate

Considering all the difficulties and nuances, we suggest contacting experienced brokers who deal with the issuance of the EUR 1 certificate. DiFFreight employs staff who have submitted dozens of document packages to obtain the required permits. Our brokers will collect the documents and submit the application in the shortest possible time.

You can also receive a full range of services: customs clearance, declaration processing, international logistics services.

Don’t waste your time on paperwork — focus on growing your business. We’ll prepare all the documents so that your goods successfully clear customs and reach their final destination.

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