Certificate of origin and EUR.1: what is it for?

In brief. The certificate of origin proves the Tunisian origin of the oil and unlocks a reduced or zero customs duty. For the EU, it is the EUR.1 certificate (issued by Tunisian customs) that opens the zero-duty quota; without it, the EU non-preferential duty reaches 124.50 €/100 kg and erases the margin. For the Gulf, it is the Arab certificate of origin (GAFTA) that replaces 5% duty with 0%. Elsewhere, a common-law certificate of origin is enough for customs clearance.

Many importers discover the role of the certificate of origin at the worst moment: on arrival, when customs demands the full tariff for lack of an EUR.1. This document costs almost nothing but is worth thousands of euros in duties. Here is what it is for, who issues it and why it is a blocker.

What is a certificate of origin for?

Direct answer: a certificate of origin attests that the oil was indeed produced in Tunisia. This proof of origin is what allows a trade agreement between Tunisia and the importing country to be applied, hence a reduced or zero customs duty. Without it, the goods are cleared at the full tariff, which can make the operation unprofitable.

The right document depends on the market: EUR.1 for the EU, Arab certificate for the Gulf, common-law elsewhere. Overview of markets on the export markets page.

The table: which proof of origin by market

Market	Origin document	What it unlocks
EU	EUR.1 certificate (or EUROMED)	Zero-duty tariff quota; without it, 124.50 €/100 kg
Switzerland	EUR.1 certificate (EFTA)	Preferential tariff line (to be confirmed)
Gulf / Arab countries	Arab certificate of origin (GAFTA)	Zero duty instead of 5% of the GCC tariff
USA, Canada, Brazil, Japan…	Common-law certificate of origin	Origin marking required at clearance

July 2026 data, to be verified with the bodies and your freight forwarder. Detail of the documents in the export documents guide.

The EUR.1: the key to zero duty in the EU

The EUR.1 certificate is the preferential proof of origin provided for by the EU-Tunisia Association Agreement. It opens the Tunisian zero-duty tariff quota in the European Union. Without EUR.1, the EU non-preferential duty on olive oil reaches 124.50 €/100 kg — an amount that erases any margin.

Key points:

• it is issued by Tunisian customs, within 24 h to a few days;
• it is requested for each shipment to the EU — an oversight loses the 0%;
• the first application requires a complete origin supporting file, submitted once (articles of incorporation, customs code, technical dossier of the product).

On the exporter side: forgetting the EUR.1 is a hidden cost that appears in no incoterm. Anticipate it at every EU departure.

The Arab certificate of origin (GAFTA) for the Gulf

For Arab countries (Emirates, Saudi Arabia, Qatar…), the proof of origin is the Arab certificate of origin, under the Greater Arab Free Trade Area (GAFTA). It is issued by the Tunisian chamber of commerce and industry.

This document replaces the 5% duty of the GCC common tariff (applicable to non-member origins) with a zero duty. It is the functional equivalent of the EUR.1, but for another trade bloc. The health certificate, for its part, must be provided in original to the Gulf.

The common-law certificate elsewhere

For markets without a specific preferential agreement (USA, Canada, Brazil, Japan…), a common-law certificate of origin is used, also issued by the chamber of commerce. It does not necessarily unlock a duty reduction, but it is required at clearance and serves for the origin marking of the goods.

Depending on the market, reduced or zero duties may apply through other channels (MFN status, tariff windows), to be verified case by case with a local broker.

A blocking document: never forget it

The certificate of origin is a blocker: its absence does not only immobilize the goods, it makes you lose the customs advantage. Losing the EUR.1 on an EU shipment means switching from zero duty to 124.50 €/100 kg. Proof of origin is therefore prepared upstream, never the day before departure.

Assemble the complete file with the export documents guide and check the quality thresholds in certifications & quality process.

FAQ

What is the EUR.1 certificate of origin for?

The EUR.1 proves the Tunisian origin of the oil and opens the zero-duty tariff quota in the EU, under the EU-Tunisia Association Agreement. Without it, the EU non-preferential duty reaches 124.50 €/100 kg, which erases the margin. It is requested for each shipment.

Who issues the EUR.1 certificate?

Tunisian customs, within 24 h to a few days. The first application requires a complete origin supporting file (articles of incorporation, customs code, technical dossier of the product), submitted only once. The Arab and common-law certificates of origin are, for their part, issued by the chamber of commerce.

Which certificate of origin to import into the EU?

The EUR.1 certificate (or EUROMED). It is essential to benefit from the Tunisian zero-duty quota. Without EUR.1, the oil is cleared at the full tariff (124.50 €/100 kg non-preferential), which makes the operation unprofitable.

Which proof of origin for the Gulf?

The Arab certificate of origin (GAFTA), issued by the Tunisian chamber of commerce. It opens zero duty instead of the 5% of the GCC common tariff applied to non-member origins. It is the equivalent of the EUR.1 for Arab countries.

What happens if the certificate of origin is missing?

The goods are cleared at the full tariff and the customs advantage is lost — for the EU, this means switching from zero duty to 124.50 €/100 kg. The certificate is a blocker: it costs money, not just time. It is prepared upstream.

Do you need a certificate of origin for the USA or Canada?

Yes, a common-law certificate of origin, issued by the chamber of commerce, required at clearance and for origin marking. It does not necessarily unlock a duty reduction; the actual tariffs are verified case by case with a local broker.

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Need a quotation with the right certificate of origin? Request a quote — we specify the proof of origin suited to your market (EUR.1, GAFTA, common-law). Complete file in the export documents guide.

July 2026 data, indicative and to be re-checked before any commitment. EU non-preferential duty 124.50 €/100 kg; EUR.1 issued by Tunisian customs; Arab GAFTA certificate by the chamber of commerce.