New EU-Turkey rules of origin for agricultural products: what changes in 2025

Key data

Exporters and importers of agricultural products operating between the European Union and Turkey face a significant regulatory change that is already in force. The Decision No. 1/2025 of the EC-Turkey Association Council, published in the EU Official Journal on July 31, 2026 with reference [2026/1903], entirely replaces Protocol No. 3 of the 1998 agricultural trade agreement, which regulated the definition of "originating products" and administrative customs procedures.

The change is not minor: rules of origin are the key to accessing preferential tariffs under the bilateral agreement. If a product no longer meets the new criteria, it is taxed at the general rate, which can significantly increase operations costs.

What does this regulation establish?

The agricultural trade agreement between the EC and Turkey from 1998 (Decision No. 1/98) included Protocol No. 3 that defined what is understood as "originating product" for the purposes of applying tariff preferences. Decision 1/2025 entirely replaces that Protocol with a new one, updating two fundamental elements:

• Rules of origin: The conditions that an agricultural product must meet to be considered originating from the EU or Turkey and, therefore, benefit from the reduced tariffs of the agreement.
• Administrative cooperation methods: The procedures and documents that customs authorities of both parties must exchange to verify the origin of products.

In practice, this means that operators cannot assume that their current procedures remain valid. They must verify that their products meet the new rules of origin and that they have the updated documentation required by customs authorities.

Economic and operational impact

The direct impact of not complying with the new rules of origin is the loss of tariff preferences under the EC-Turkey agreement. This means that affected products would be taxed at the general tariff rate, increasing the cost of import or export operations.

From an operational perspective, changes in administrative cooperation methods can result in:

• New origin forms or certificates required by customs.
• Modification of verification procedures between EU and Turkish customs authorities.
• Possible delays in clearance if documentation does not comply with new requirements.
• Review of contracts with suppliers or customers that include clauses on preferential origin.

Since the entry into force was December 22, 2025 —several months before the official publication in the EU Official Journal on July 31, 2026— there is a period in which operations already carried out could have been subject to the new criteria without operators knowing it. It is advisable to review operations carried out since that date.

Who does it affect?

• Spanish and European exporters of agricultural products destined for Turkey that benefit from reduced tariffs under the 1998 agreement.
• European importers of agricultural products of Turkish origin that apply tariff preferences in customs clearance.
• Agribusiness companies with supply chains that include raw materials or semi-finished products from Turkey or the EU.
• Customs agents and logistics operators that manage the clearance of agricultural goods at the EU-Turkey border.
• Foreign trade advisors that accompany clients with operations in this trade corridor.
• Purchasing and procurement departments of food sector companies with Turkish suppliers.

Practical example

Imagine a Spanish olive oil exporting company that has been selling to Turkey for years under the 1998 commercial agreement, applying the preferential tariff because its product met the origin criteria of the old Protocol No. 3.

As of December 22, 2025, that same product must meet the new rules of origin established by Decision 1/2025. If the production process or product composition does not adjust to the new requirements —for example, if part of the olives come from a third country not contemplated in the new accumulation rules— the product would lose the status of "originating" and could not benefit from the preferential tariff.

The result: the Turkish importing company would pay the general tariff instead of the preferential one, which makes the Spanish product more expensive compared to competitors from other origins. The Spanish company could lose competitiveness or margin, depending on who assumes the additional cost according to the contract.

The solution involves reviewing with your foreign trade advisor whether the product still meets the new criteria and updating the origin documentation before the next shipment.

What should companies do now?

1. Review updated rules of origin: Consult the new Protocol No. 3 of Decision 1/2025 and check if your agricultural products continue to meet the requirements to be considered "originating" from the EU or Turkey.
2. Audit operations since December 22, 2025: Identify all shipments made since that date and verify if the new criteria were correctly applied. An error in declared origin can result in tariff claims.
3. Update customs documentation: Contact your customs agent to review origin certificates and other documents required under the new administrative cooperation methods.
4. Review contracts with suppliers and customers: If you have agreements that include clauses on preferential origin or tariff cost sharing, ensure they remain valid under the new regulation.
5. Inform your purchasing and logistics team: Departments that manage orders and shipments must know the new requirements to avoid errors in future operations.
6. Consult a foreign trade specialist: If you have doubts about whether your products meet the new criteria, seek specialized advice before the next customs clearance.

Official source

Consult complete regulation in official source

Notice: This article is for informational purposes only and does not constitute legal advice. For specific decisions, consult a qualified professional. Source: https://eur-lex.europa.eu/./legal-content/AUTO/?uri=OJ:L_202601903