Bye Bye Birdie: Customs to rename Turkey

In order to implement this name change consistently, some bilateral agreements between the EU and Turkey as well as EU regulations need to be adapted. The EU is currently working on a common official position on this, but as reported by the Austrian Federal Economic Chamber, DG TAXUD has advised in a letter to customs administrations: take the necessary steps to ensure that movement certificates and certificates of origin are not rejected by EU customs offices when the new country name 'Türkiye' is used; inform national operators of Turkey's request to change its name.

This is now happening throughout Europe. However, the Directorate-General TAXUD also assures that the Turkish customs offices will continue to accept proofs of origin and movement certificates with the old name, as it takes time to adapt to this change.

Movement certificates EUR.1 are used in trade with Turkey only for agricultural and ECSC goods (primarily in Chapter 72 of the Customs Tariff). Here the new name can be inserted for the participating countries.

Movement certificates are much more common in trade with Turkey A.TR. Applicable legal basis for the form and content of the A.TR. is Decision No 1/2006 of the EC-Turkey Customs Cooperation Committee of September 26, 2006. It also defines the content of box 4. Only after an amendment can the forms be adapted accordingly. In the non-pre-printed fields, the new country name "Türkiye" can already be used.

Since January 1, 2021 the submission of certificates of origin is only required in justified exceptional cases.. An overview of all official notifications on these changes to Turkey’s existing customs regulations can be found in the and refers to the Official Gazette No. 31330 of December 10, 2020. If certificates of origin have to be presented in addition to the A.TR, the country designation "Türkiye" should now be used.

In the case of cumulation or if originating goods are to be delivered duty-free to other countries, proof of preferential origin may also be required in addition to free circulation. According to Decision No 1/2006 of the European Community-Turkey Customs Cooperation Committee, supplier's declarations or long-term supplier's declarations can then be used.

For the ATA Carnet, the existing forms can continue to be used and "Türkiye" is used in the non-pre-printed fields.

• Use the name "Türkiye" on proofs of origin, movement certificates and other commercial documents
• Use the country designation “Türkiye” if certificates of origin have to be presented in addition to the A.TR
• Continue to use the existing forms for the ATA Carnet, but remember to enter "Türkiye" in the non-pre-printed fields