Customs Documents — Which Ones Do You Need and When?
From EUR.1 to ATA Carnet, from T1 to DGD — every country and product requires its own set of documents. We prepare, apply for, and ship them with your shipment. Here you’ll find explanations per document and when you need which one.
A smooth customs process depends entirely on the correct documents. A missing certificate of origin means your customer pays import duties they didn’t have to. An incorrect T1 document causes transit delays. A forgotten phytosanitary certificate blocks your flower shipment at the Dutch border. We master the full range of documents and prepare everything under our AEO-F authorization by default.
Below you’ll find the documents we work with daily. Each document has its own conditions, validity period, and costs. We advise—or prepare—what you need for your situation upfront, with no surprise fees later.
Overview of Customs Documents
For the most commonly used documents — EUR.1, ATR, T1/T2, and T2L — we can prepare them on your behalf under our own licenses. The ACP authorization (Authorized Union Goods Issuer) allows us to issue T2L and T2LF ourselves without involving a customs office. For customers with regular flows, this saves time and handling costs per shipment.
Preferential Certificates of Origin: EUR.1, A.TR, and REX
The European Union has trade agreements with over fifty countries. Under these agreements, products qualify for a preferential (often zero) import duty rate in the destination country — provided they meet the rules of origin. EUR.1 is the standard document for most agreements (Switzerland, Norway, Canada, Japan, Singapore, Vietnam, South Korea, UK, EFTA countries, etc.). A.TR is specific to trade with Turkey under the EU–Turkey customs union — no rules of origin required, only status. REX is a registration system for approved exporters under the Generalized System of Preferences (GSP) and some bilateral agreements — instead of EUR.1, you state a certificate of origin on the invoice.
Transit Documents: T1 and T2
A T1 document covers the transportation of non-Union goods under customs control — for example, a container arriving at Schiphol and continuing to Switzerland. The shipment remains non-Union goods until it leaves the EU territory. T2 works the same way but for Union goods — when EU goods pass through a third country en route to another EU destination (e.g., Spain via Switzerland to Italy). T2L (Long form) and T2LF (for special areas such as the Canary Islands) are not transit documents but status proofs — only used to show the shipment’s Union goods status.
Temporary Import: ATA Carnet
For goods temporarily leaving and returning to the EU — or temporarily entering the EU without permanent import — an ATA Carnet is often the most elegant solution. Trade fairs, product demonstrations, professional equipment of photographers, sporting events, artworks for exhibitions: the ATA Carnet enables duty- and VAT-free transit in over 75 countries. Valid for one year. We assist with the application through the Chamber of Commerce.
Frequently Asked Questions About Customs Documents
What documents do I minimally need for a shipment?
With a properly arranged standard package: commercial invoice, packing list, Air Waybill, certificate of origin if preferential, product-specific certificates if applicable, and your EORI number. For most regular shipments, invoice, packing list, and AWB suffice.
What is the difference between EUR.1 and A.TR?
EUR.1 is for most bilateral and multilateral EU free trade agreements (Switzerland, Japan, Canada, etc.). A.TR is specific for trade with Turkey under the EU–Turkey customs union. Both result in 0% or reduced import duties in the destination country, but under different rules.
Who issues a EUR.1 or A.TR?
EUR.1 is issued by Customs in the exporting country (Tax Authorities in the Netherlands) based on your application. A.TR is issued by the Chamber of Commerce or competent authority. We submit both documents for clients under a written power of attorney.
When do I need a T1 or T2?
A T1 is for non-Union goods transported under customs control; a T2 is for Union goods under the same procedure. Both require security — we cover this via our Continuous Guarantee Authorization (CGU). You don’t need to arrange a separate bank guarantee as the client.
When is an ATA Carnet useful?
An ATA Carnet is an international customs document for temporary import or transit without paying import duties and VAT. Ideal for trade fairs, demonstrations, samples, professional equipment, and artworks. Valid for one year and recognized in over 75 countries. We assist with the application through the Chamber of Commerce.
Need Help with Documents for Your Shipment?
Send us your shipment details — product, origin, destination — and we’ll tell you within 4 hours which documents are needed and the cost to prepare them.