What is A.TR Movement Certificate?

The A.TR movement certificate (Turkish: A.TR Dolaşım Belgesi, shortened to A.TR belgesi) is the customs document that shows goods are in free circulation in the customs union between Turkey and the European Union. Under Turkey's Customs General Communiqué (Series No: 10), it is issued so that industrial goods and processed agricultural products in free circulation can use the union's preferential regime, and it carries a customs visa (Article 4/1-a). It is not a certificate of origin: it proves the goods' customs status, not the country that made them.

This entry is valid as of October 16, 2026. For application steps, fees and time limits, ask your supplier and customs broker.

What is an A.TR certificate? Name and meaning

The European Commission calls it the “A.TR. movement certificate”, with a closing period. “ATR certificate”, “A.TR certificate” and “ATR document” all mean the same document. In Turkish, dolaşım belgesi (movement certificate) is also used for the EUR.1 (TİM, the Turkish Exporters Assembly), so the phrase does not mean A.TR by itself.

What does A.TR stand for? The Communiqué, Decision 2006/10895 on implementing the customs union and Decision No 1/2006 of the Customs Cooperation Committee do not expand it, so we give no expansion without an official text behind it. They do not use the names “ATR 1” or “ATR 3” either.

What is the A.TR certificate used for?

The European Commission, citing Association Council Decision 1/95, explains that the customs union removed duties and quantity limits for goods in free circulation, and that an A.TR is how such goods prove this status. Goods are in free circulation if they were obtained entirely in Turkey or the EU, or come from a third country with import formalities completed, duties and equivalent charges collected and no refund of them (Communiqué, Article 8/2). Free circulation gives goods no origin (Article 8/5).

Hypothetical example (Tekstil Rehberi's illustration): a shirt sewn in Turkey from imported inputs whose duties were all paid can go to the EU with an A.TR (Article 8/4), yet the certificate does not say the shirt is of Turkish origin. For duty-free or refunded inputs, for example under inward processing, ask your customs broker.

The union works both ways: Turkish customs checks the A.TR on goods entering from the EU, and without it the preferential regime does not apply and duties are collected at the statutory rates (Decision 2006/10895, Article 27).

Which countries and goods does an A.TR cover?

Goods. An A.TR is for industrial products and processed agricultural products in free circulation (Communiqué, Article 4/1-a; TİM). Basic agricultural products and coal and steel products are outside the customs union (Ministry of Trade; European Commission), and no A.TR can be issued for goods outside its scope (Decision 2006/10895, Article 33). Garments, fabric and yarn are industrial products (Tekstil Rehberi assessment); check your goods' customs tariff code (in Turkey, GTİP).

Countries. The A.TR is used only for goods moved directly between Turkey and the EU; one consignment may pass through a third country under customs supervision (Decision No 1/2006, Article 6/2). Turkish legislation counts the EU's 27 member states and, effective January 1, 2021, Northern Ireland on the EU side (Decision 2006/10895, Article 3/1-a; as of this entry's date); for Northern Ireland, confirm the document with your broker. No A.TR is issued for markets outside the EU, such as the United States. Under the UK-Turkey trade agreement, the preference rests on the exporter's declaration on origin (GOV.UK).

A.TR vs EUR.1 vs certificate of origin

In short, A.TR answers “are the goods in free circulation?”, while a certificate of origin answers “which country are they from?”.

Who issues an A.TR certificate?

The customs administration, or persons and organizations it authorizes, issue the certificate, and customs gives it a visa (Communiqué, Article 4/1-a). As TİM describes it (as of this entry's date), the exporter or its legal representative fills it in electronically, the exporters' association (ihracatçı birliği) approves it and customs visas it.

EU and Turkish customs accept an electronically issued A.TR at import, applying from July 8, 2024 (Decision No 1/2025 of the EU-Türkiye Customs Cooperation Committee). It must follow the Annex I specimen of Decision No 1/2006, carry a unique serial number and be verifiable in the exporting country's secured online system. Signature and visa practice can change.

A.TR for garment and textile buyers

For market figures see Turkey textile and apparel exports; for how EU, UK and US duty rules differ, the guide to clothing manufacturers in Turkey. Tekstil Rehberi suggests writing the delivery term (for example FOB) and who arranges the A.TR in the quote, and checking whether a letter of credit asks for it. If the factory uses imported fabric or trims, ask it to keep records of duties paid; the application uploads documents showing free circulation (TİM). For forwarders and brokers, see logistics and customs companies.

Frequently asked questions

Is an A.TR certificate a certificate of origin?

No. It proves free-circulation status, and entering free circulation does not give goods an origin (Communiqué, Article 8/5). Origin is shown by a certificate of origin, an EUR.1 or a declaration on origin.

Which countries accept the A.TR?

The EU member states, plus Northern Ireland under Turkish legislation, for goods moved directly to or from Turkey (as of this entry's date); not the United States.

What does A.TR stand for?

The official texts we read do not expand it. In English, the European Commission calls the document the “A.TR. movement certificate”.