What is an A.TR Certificate?

The A.TR certificate is an official customs document that certifies goods are in free circulation within the customs territory of Turkey or the European Union. This certificate is a cornerstone of the EU-Turkey Customs Union, which has been in effect since 1996 and governs the movement of industrial goods and processed agricultural products between the two customs territories. When an exporter ships goods accompanied by a valid A.TR certificate, the importer in the destination country is exempt from paying customs duties, making the transaction significantly more cost-effective for both parties. The certificate essentially confirms that all applicable customs duties and taxes have already been paid in the country of export, granting the goods free circulation status. This means that whether the goods were originally manufactured in Turkey, in an EU member state, or even in a third country, they qualify for duty-free treatment as long as they have been properly cleared through customs and released into free circulation. The A.TR certificate is recognized by customs authorities across all 27 EU member states and Turkey, providing a uniform and reliable framework for duty-free trade. Bolaji Group B.V., based in Rotterdam, Netherlands, specializes in preparing and delivering A.TR certificates quickly and efficiently, helping businesses maintain smooth trade flows between Turkey and Europe.

The A.TR certificate can be issued for goods that have obtained free circulation status in Turkey or in an EU member state. It is important to understand that the A.TR certificate does not certify the country of origin of the goods; rather, it certifies their customs status as being in free circulation. This means that products manufactured in a third country outside the EU and Turkey can still be covered by an A.TR certificate, provided they have been properly imported, all relevant customs duties have been paid, and they have been released into free circulation in Turkey or an EU member state. The scope of the A.TR certificate covers industrial products and processed agricultural goods, which together represent the vast majority of traded goods between Turkey and the EU. Raw agricultural products, coal, and steel products governed by separate agreements are excluded from the A.TR certificate regime and require different documentation such as EUR.1 movement certificates. Bolaji Group B.V. advises exporters on whether their specific products qualify for an A.TR certificate and assists with determining the correct documentation for every type of shipment, ensuring full compliance with customs regulations on both sides of the trade route.

The A.TR certificate is prepared by authorized bodies such as chambers of commerce, licensed customs brokerages, or accredited service providers, and must be endorsed by the relevant customs administration before it becomes legally valid. The preparation process involves compiling and verifying all necessary documentation, including the commercial invoice, packing list, company registration details, and transport documents. Once the application is submitted, the issuing authority reviews the information, checks it against supporting documents, and if everything is in order, stamps and signs the certificate to confirm its authenticity. The endorsed certificate must then accompany the goods during shipment and be presented to customs officials at the point of entry in the destination country. Bolaji Group B.V. manages this entire process from start to finish on behalf of exporters, eliminating the need for businesses to navigate complex bureaucratic procedures themselves. Our digital-first approach allows clients to submit their applications online, receive real-time status updates, and download their approved certificates in PDF format via email, all within approximately one hour of application. This streamlined service has made Bolaji Group B.V. a preferred partner for thousands of exporters across Turkey and Europe who value speed, accuracy, and professional reliability in their customs documentation needs.

Key Facts About the A.TR Certificate

• Legal Basis: The A.TR certificate is regulated under Decision 1/95 of the EU-Turkey Association Council, which established the Customs Union between Turkey and the European Union in 1996. This legal framework ensures that goods in free circulation can move between Turkey and EU member states without being subject to customs duties, provided the proper documentation is in place. The Customs Union represented a landmark agreement in international trade relations, creating one of the most comprehensive preferential trade arrangements between the EU and a non-member country. Under this framework, industrial goods and processed agricultural products can circulate freely across borders, mirroring the conditions of intra-EU trade for these product categories. The A.TR certificate serves as the practical instrument that implements this duty-free arrangement at the customs checkpoint level, providing verifiable proof that goods meet the requirements for preferential treatment.
• Validity and Conditions: An A.TR certificate is valid for 4 months from the date of issue. It must be presented to customs authorities in the importing country within this period. The certificate covers industrial goods and processed agricultural products that are in free circulation in Turkey or the EU. Each certificate is linked to a specific shipment and cannot be reused or transferred to a different consignment. The goods described in the certificate must match the actual goods being shipped, and customs officials have the authority to inspect shipments to verify compliance. If the certificate expires before the goods reach the destination customs checkpoint, a new certificate must be obtained, which can cause delays and additional costs. For this reason, exporters should time their certificate applications carefully in relation to their shipping schedules. Bolaji Group B.V. advises clients on optimal timing and can prepare certificates on short notice to accommodate changing logistics plans.
• Eligible Goods: The A.TR certificate can be issued for all industrial goods and processed agricultural products that have obtained free circulation status in Turkey. Raw agricultural products are excluded and require different documentation such as EUR.1 certificates for preferential treatment. Industrial goods covered by the A.TR certificate span a vast range of product categories, including machinery, electronics, automotive parts and vehicles, textiles and apparel, chemicals, plastics, metals, construction materials, furniture, and consumer goods. Processed agricultural products such as canned foods, packaged beverages, refined oils, and other items that have undergone significant industrial transformation are also eligible. The classification of products follows the Harmonized System codes, with items under HS Chapters 25 through 97 generally falling within the Customs Union scope. Bolaji Group B.V. maintains comprehensive knowledge of product eligibility and can quickly determine whether your specific goods qualify for an A.TR certificate.
• Digital A.TR Certificates: Modern A.TR certificates can be processed digitally through authorized platforms. Electronic verification and approval systems have streamlined the process, allowing exporters to obtain their certificates faster than ever before. Bolaji Group B.V. leverages this digital infrastructure to deliver certificates within 1 hour. The digitalization of the A.TR certificate process represents a significant advancement in international trade facilitation. Instead of relying on paper-based applications that require physical visits to chambers of commerce or customs offices, exporters can now submit their documentation electronically, track the progress of their applications in real time, and receive approved certificates via email. This digital transformation has reduced processing times from days to hours, eliminated geographical barriers, and improved the overall accuracy of certificates by reducing manual data entry errors. Bolaji Group B.V. was among the early adopters of digital A.TR certificate processing and has built its service model around the speed and efficiency that technology enables.

Bolaji Group B.V. is your trusted partner for obtaining A.TR certificates quickly and efficiently. Our experienced team handles the entire application process on your behalf, from document preparation to customs authority approval. With our online platform, you can submit your application 24/7 and receive your approved A.TR certificate via email within just 1 hour. We serve exporters across Turkey and Europe, ensuring compliance with all EU customs regulations and providing professional support at every step of the process. Our commitment to quality means that every certificate we prepare undergoes rigorous verification before submission, ensuring that your documents are accepted without question at any EU customs checkpoint. We understand that in international trade, time is money, and every hour of delay at customs represents lost revenue and strained business relationships. That is why we have built our entire operation around the principle of speed without compromising accuracy.

Having an A.TR certificate provides significant competitive advantages for exporters. By eliminating customs duties on goods shipped to EU countries, businesses can offer more competitive prices to their European customers. This cost advantage directly translates to higher profit margins or increased market share. Furthermore, the streamlined customs clearance process reduces delivery times, improving customer satisfaction and enabling faster business cycles. For Turkish exporters targeting the European market, the A.TR certificate is not just a document — it is an essential business tool that opens doors to duty-free trade with over 440 million consumers. The ability to ship goods without incurring customs duties means that Turkish manufacturers and traders can compete on equal footing with EU-based suppliers, removing one of the most significant barriers to market entry. In an era of global competition and tight profit margins, the savings generated by the A.TR certificate can make the difference between winning and losing a contract with a European buyer.