Belgium’s 1 July 2026 guidance on Regulation (EU) No 2026/1455 strips away certificates of origin and EUR.1 documents as valid proof, leaving importers to assemble bills of materials, production records, and transport evidence on their own to claim the Turnberry Agreement's reduced duties.
Belgium’s tax authorities, SPF Finance, announced on 14 July 2026 that starting 1 July 2026, American exporters can ship into Europe at reduced or zero customs duties under the Turnberry Agreement, inked on 27 July 2025.
The rules sit in Regulation (EU) No 2026/1455.
The European Commission’s guidance (OEO Information Note DD 022.835, issued 1 July 2026) makes clear that importers must prove non-preferential origin themselves. No certificates of origin, no EUR.1 movement documents, no official paperwork issued by the US. Just the importer, the supplier’s invoices, and whatever evidence can be gathered.
What counts as proof—and what doesn’t
A product qualifies as American if it was entirely made there (harvesting, extraction, fishing) or underwent substantial transformation on US soil when inputs came from multiple countries.
Certificates of origin and “Made in USA” declarations on invoices don’t count, even if they’re legitimate-looking. The EU’s position is straightforward: a certificate from a US issuer doesn’t guarantee accuracy because US rules of origin might differ, and there’s no bilateral agreement to verify claims. They can be presented as supporting material, but they can’t stand alone.
What importers actually need
The principle of free presentation of evidence applies. This means the importer is responsible for correctly determining the origin of the goods and must possess the information and documents necessary to substantiate that origin. Depending on the applicable rule of origin, this information may include:
- For wholly obtained goods: Documents confirming that the products and all materials or components used were wholly obtained in the country of origin.
- For a change in tariff classification: Information relating to the production process and the tariff classifications of the materials and components used.
- For a specific operation criterion: Production records demonstrating that the required manufacturing or processing operation has been carried out.
- For the value-added criterion: Information on the materials used, their value, and their origin (often in the form of a bill of materials). It should also be possible to provide a detailed breakdown of production costs, labour costs, and other elements contributing to the added value of the finished product.
This list is not exhaustive, and customs authorities may request any additional documentary evidence considered necessary to verify the origin of the goods.
In addition, each request must be supported by proof of direct transport/non-manipulation.
Importers are advised to obtain all relevant origin-related information and supporting documentation from the exporter and/or manufacturer established in the United States before submitting a claim for preferential tariff treatment.
Without this information, the origin of the goods cannot be substantiated, and preferential treatment cannot be claimed. The importer is responsible for collecting, retaining, and, upon request, presenting sufficient evidence of the origin of the goods to the customs authorities.
Earlier, the European Union reached a provisional agreement on 20 May 2026 to remove import duties on US goods, aiming to avoid threatened US tariffs after months of negotiations.
