Export documents: current developments

PEM Revised Rules since 1 January 2026

Do you export to pan-Euro-Mediterranean countries? Since 1 January 2026, you use the revised rules of preferential origin of the PEM Regional Convention. You can find these rules of origin in the text of the agreement between the EU and the PEM countries. You can see which processing a product must have for it to be of preferential origin. Check that your product meets the right rules.

There are 3 countries for which the revised PEM rules do not yet apply. These are Algeria, Lebanon, and Syria.

EUR-MED cancelled

Because the PEM Revised Rules apply, it is no longer possible to issue EUR-MED certificates. In the PEM Revised Rules, the EUR-MED is no longer used as proof of origin. The only exception is Algeria. When Algeria also signs the PEM Revised Rules, that possibility will also end.

EU–Mercosur: new trade agreement

The EU has signed a new trade agreement with the Mercosur countries. Mercosur is an economic partnership between Brazil, Argentina, Uruguay, and Paraguay. The trade agreement will make doing business with Mercosur countries easier and cheaper. From 1 May 2026, you will pay lower import duties on imports and exports. This only applies if the products are of preferential origin. You will need a statement of origin for this. This is a declaration on the invoice or other commercial document. Use the sample text for a statement of origin. You can find the rules for preferential origin in the trade agreement with Mercosur.

Trade benefits only with a valid declaration

If the statement of origin is incorrect or incomplete, you will not get a reduction in import duties. So provide good evidence of preferential origin. For example, with a preferential supplier’s declaration. Or with information about your own production process if you manufacture the products yourself. You can have a supplier’s declaration checked by KVK via Genesis certification.

 'Revised rules' mandatory on EUR.1 for Egypt

When applying for EUR.1 certificates for Egypt, you must enter the text 'revised rules' in box 7. This was previously also required for Morocco, but is no longer necessary. The Customs Administration of the Netherlands has more information on this (in Dutch). 

Printing Certificate of Origin on blank paper

You can print a Certificate of Origin (CVO) on blank paper. You no longer need pre-printed coloured forms. Several businesses in the Netherlands are already working this way. Foreign organisations accept the forms without any problems.

At present, almost three-quarters of the CVOs issued by the KVK are printed on plain paper. KVK is contacting customers who do not yet print their CVOs on plain paper. You can also contact them yourself.

How it works

You request your CVOs digitally from KVK. This is done in the same way as before. Once your request has been approved, you will receive a PDF file containing all the information from the CVO. The difference is that the standard layout of the CVO form is now also included in the PDF. The Certificate of Origin is valid with the digital signature and the KVK issue number. You can check this on the ICC Verification platform. There is a QR code on the CVO that allows you to easily verify this.

Advantages

Printing on blank paper has the following advantages:

• You can forward the PDF file to customers, organisations, etc.
• Everyone can print the Certificate of Origin themselves. Also your foreign customers. This will help prevent dpcuments from getting lost in the post or on delivery.
• There is no longer any need to scan the printed CVO.
• You do not need a separate printer or printer tray.
• It saves costs, because you do not use pre-printed Certificates of Origin.

First contact KVK

Would you also like to print CVOs on blank paper? KVK will first adjust the settings for printing CVOs for you. Please contact the Export Documents department for this.

• Email: Exportdocumenten regio West
  Telephone: 088 585 18 87
• Email: Exportdocumenten regio Oost/Zuid
  Telephone: 088 585 18 89

Printing on blank paper only applies to CVOs. For EUR.1 certificates, you must continue to use pre-printed forms.