EUR.1 certificates under EVFTA: what EU buyers of natural pet toys should know
A EUR.1 is the certificate of origin Vietnam issues under the EU–Vietnam Free Trade Agreement (EVFTA). Your EU importer presents it to claim the preferential duty rate for goods that meet the agreement's origin rules. In Vietnam it is issued by bodies authorised by the Ministry of Industry and Trade, and it is the last document in the set.
- For EU importers and Amazon EU sellers
- Coffee wood and coco coir
- About 6 minutes to read
What EVFTA changed, in the EU's own words
The European Commission's Access2Markets page on EVFTA says: "As of 1 August 2020, approximately 84% of EU imports from Vietnam enter duty-free." It adds that the EU "will phase out nearly all the remaining customs duties applying to imports from Vietnam by November 2030."
The lower rate is not automatic. It applies to goods that originate in Vietnam under the agreement's rules, and the importer needs a proof of origin to claim it. For goods from Vietnam, the same page lists a certificate of origin and, in some cases, an origin declaration. The certificate we have used for EU shipments is the EUR.1.
This page reflects the official pages as we read them in November 2026. Rules and rates change. Confirm the duty rate and the proof of origin your shipment needs with your customs broker before you order.
Who issues a EUR.1 in Vietnam
Not the factory, and not the forwarder. Access2Markets says: "A certificate of origin shall be issued by the competent authorities of Vietnam, by using the specimen of Annex VII." On the Vietnamese side, the Ministry of Industry and Trade set the procedure in Circular 11/2020/TT-BCT, signed on 15 June 2020 and in force from 1 August 2020. Under that circular, the EUR.1 is issued by the agencies and organisations the Ministry authorises to issue preferential certificates of origin.
Our part as the exporter is to apply. The authority checks the application and issues the certificate, and each certificate carries its own number.
Which of our products we can confirm it for
A product can be made in Vietnam and still fail the origin rules for a preferential certificate. So we do not promise a EUR.1 for every line on every order. Tell us before we quote that you need one, and we confirm it line by line.
- Coffee wood chews. Our reference for EU shipments is a EUR.1. The wood comes from mature Robusta trees (20+ years) cleared at the end of their productive life in the Central Highlands of Vietnam.
- Coco coir toys. Our reference for the EU is also a EUR.1.
- Other lines. We confirm each one before quoting, and we tell you plainly if a line cannot carry a preferential certificate.
For the duty rate on each product, your broker needs the HS code. We list the codes we have used in HS codes for natural pet toys, but the customs office in the importing country decides the classification.
When the EUR.1 arrives, and why it comes last
The certificate is approved once the other documents are final, so on our shipments it comes after the B/L. Access2Markets says a certificate "shall be issued as soon as possible but not later than 3 working days after the date of export".
"Issued retrospectively" is normal
The same page says a certificate "can be issued retrospectively in specific situations", including when "it was not issued at the time of export because of errors, involuntary omissions or other valid reasons". On our EU shipments, a certificate marked "issued retrospectively" is normal. If your broker has not seen one before, show them that sentence.
Paper or electronic
Whether you receive a paper original or an electronic certificate depends on the market. Ask your broker which one they will accept, and tell us when you confirm the order. Plan your customs clearance around the certificate, which on our shipments arrives after the B/L.
What to check on the EUR.1 draft
We send drafts of the certificate of origin, phytosanitary and fumigation certificates, together with the draft B/L, for you to approve before the originals are issued. We do this on every shipment. On the EUR.1 draft, check:
- The consignee block. Company name, address, EORI and VAT number identical on the invoice, packing list, B/L and every other paper.
- Goods description and quantity against the commercial invoice and packing list.
- Vessel and voyage, which should match the final B/L.
- Paper or electronic, as your broker asked.
A masked EUR.1 from one of our shipments to Germany is on our documents page. The full EU document picture, from phyto to fumigation, is in EU export documents for pet toys.
If EU customs asks to verify origin
Access2Markets says: "The customs authorities may verify whether a product imported is indeed originating or fulfils other origin requirements." The check runs between the customs authorities of the two sides, and "the authorities of the exporting Party makes the final determination of origin". Keep your copy of the EUR.1 with the import entry so your broker can find it.
A EUR.1 is about origin and duty only. It does not cover product safety. For that side of selling in the EU, see EU GPSR and natural pet toys. We do not hold FSC, BSCI, ISO or REACH certificates.
Questions EU buyers ask about EUR.1
What is a EUR.1 certificate?
It is the certificate of origin Vietnam issues under the EU–Vietnam Free Trade Agreement. Your EU importer uses it to claim the preferential duty rate for goods that meet the agreement's origin rules.
Who issues the EUR.1 for goods from Vietnam?
Agencies and organisations authorised by Vietnam's Ministry of Industry and Trade, under Circular 11/2020/TT-BCT. The exporter applies; the authority issues.
Can every pet toy get a EUR.1?
No. A product has to meet the agreement's origin rules. We confirm each product line before we quote and say so if a line cannot carry one.
Why does my EUR.1 say "issued retrospectively"?
The EU's own guidance allows a certificate to be issued after export in specific situations. On our EU shipments this is normal.
Does a EUR.1 mean my goods pay no duty?
It lets your importer claim the preferential rate for the goods it covers. The rate depends on the HS code and is decided by customs in the importing country, so confirm it with your broker.
Tell us you need a EUR.1 before we quote
Send your products, your market and your broker's document list, and we confirm origin line by line.
Ask for a quote Coffee wood chews
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