How does the EUR.1 certificate and preferential origin work?

The EUR.1 certificate attests preferential origin, enabling reduced or zero duties under bilateral free trade agreements. In Switzerland, the EFTA agreement network covers numerous partner countries. The exporter requests the certificate from the customs authority before shipment; it is valid for 4 months; for shipments up to CHF/EUR 6,000 it can be replaced by an invoice declaration; authorised exporters (with BAZG authorisation) can issue invoice declarations without value limits. The EU REX system allows registered exporters to self-certify origin for GSP beneficiary shipments. Important: preferential origin differs from non-preferential origin ('made in'). Origin rules define sufficient processing (minimum value added or tariff heading change). For Mediterranean/Balkans trade, the EUR-MED certificate enables diagonal cumulation of origin.

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