The Iranian proof of origin is the document showing that a product covered by the Turkey–Iran Preferential Trade Agreement originates under the agreement's rules, allowing it to benefit from reduced customs duty in Iran. The exporter issues it and the customs office endorses it after the necessary checks. A certificate of origin, A.TR or EUR.1 cannot replace it.
What does Iranian proof of origin mean?
The Iranian proof of origin is the document showing that goods originate under the rules of the Preferential Trade Agreement (PTA) between Turkey and Iran. The General Customs Communiqué (International Agreements) Serial No. 8, published in Turkey's Official Gazette on 14 November 2015, defines it as a proof of origin that becomes valid once customs offices endorse it after the necessary checks. The form of the document follows the specimen annexed to the regulation on preferential origin under the PTA.
Which agreement is it based on?
According to the Turkish Ministry of Trade, the Turkey–Iran PTA entered into force in 2015, and the text of the agreement is published on the ministry's page on preferential trade agreements. Preferential trade agreements are narrower than free trade agreements: the reduction applies only to products on the agreement's lists. The first step is therefore to check whether the product's tariff line is on the lists and whether the product meets the rule of origin. Product lists are checked against the agreement text published by the ministry; it is wrong to assume that every product going to Iran benefits from reduced duty. The general framework of the concept is explained in the preferential and non-preferential origin entry.
What does the rule of origin ask?
Preferential rules of origin look at two basic questions: was the product wholly obtained in Turkey, or, if it was made with imported inputs, did it undergo sufficient working or processing in Turkey? Which criterion applies is set out in the PTA's origin provisions. For products with a high share of imported inputs, the cost breakdown and supplier documents should be kept ready, because they are the first evidence requested if the document is subsequently verified.
How does it differ from a certificate of origin, A.TR and EUR.1?
| Criterion | Iranian proof of origin | Certificate of origin | A.TR / EUR.1 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Purpose | Reduced duty in Iran under the PTA | Shows non-preferential origin | EU customs union (A.TR) or free trade agreements (EUR.1) |
| Effect on duty | Reduction for listed products | No reduction | Only within its own agreement area |
| Issue and approval | Issued by the exporter, endorsed by the customs office | Chambers of commerce and industry | Under the relevant legislation |
| Use in trade with Iran | Shipments where preferential duty is claimed | When the buyer asks for general proof of origin | Not used |
Details of the certificate of origin are in the what is a certificate of origin entry, and the difference between the A.TR and EUR.1 in the A.TR vs EUR.1 entry.
How is the document issued and recorded?
- The product's tariff line is looked up in the PTA lists and the rule of origin is checked.
- The exporter fills in the document in line with the specimen in the regulation.
- After the necessary checks, the customs office endorses the document.
- Under Communiqué Serial No. 8, the document is recorded in the BİLGE customs system, linked to the export declaration; recording it is the responsibility of the exporter or their representative.
- Under the communiqué, the ministry makes the notifications needed for Iranian customs to query the document online; if the query returns no result, the Iranian authorities may request a subsequent verification of the document.
What are the common mistakes?
- Assuming that a certificate of origin is enough for reduced duty.
- Building the price on reduced duty without checking whether the product is on the PTA lists.
- Giving a different description of the goods, number of packages or weight on the invoice and on the origin document; the exporter's and buyer's names must also be identical on both.
- Not clarifying the validity period and the conditions for issuing the document retrospectively with the customs broker before loading; these points are governed by the preferential origin regulation.
How the origin document is prepared together with the other export papers is summarised in the export documents for Iran entry, and how it fits into the shipment plan on the Turkey–Iran road freight lane page.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is the Iranian proof of origin mandatory for every shipment to Iran?
Who approves the Iranian proof of origin?
Is this document also used for imports from Iran into Turkey?
Sources
- Official Gazette of Turkey (14 November 2015) – General Customs Communiqué (International Agreements) Serial No. 8 (in Turkish)
- Turkish Ministry of Trade – Preferential Trade Agreements (Turkey–Iran PTA, in Turkish)
- Turkish Ministry of Trade – Frequently asked questions about Iran (October 2024, PDF, in Turkish)