Automotive Spare Parts Import to Turkey: A Step-by-Step Guide

Importing automotive spare parts from China is something even a small company can start with confidence, provided the groundwork is right. This page explains where parts typically come from, the steps of a first order, the inspections you may face at Turkish customs and the mistakes newcomers most often make.

Where automotive parts are imported from

Two sources dominate auto parts imports into Turkey:

China: filters, brake pads, lighting, suspension and engine parts, accessories and electrical components. Cargo usually moves by sea from ports such as Ningbo, Shanghai and Shenzhen to the Istanbul area ports or Mersin.
Europe (especially Germany): original (OEM) and branded parts for dealers and workshops. These loads mostly travel by road, as groupage (LTL) or full truckloads (FTL). Under the EU–Turkey Customs Union, EU-origin industrial goods moving with an A.TR movement certificate may benefit from customs duty advantages.

If you are starting small, LCL (less than container load) is usually the best fit for China: your cargo is consolidated with other importers’ goods in one container and you pay only for the volume (m³) or weight you use. As volumes grow, switching to FCL (full container load) starts to make sense. Air freight or express courier works for urgent, small parts, at a noticeably higher unit cost.

Your first import, step by step

Pin down the product and HS code. Agree the tariff code (GTİP) of each part with your customs broker. Duty rates, inspections and surveillance requirements all depend on it.
Check whether the part is inspected. Safety parts such as tyres, brake pads and lighting may be subject to import inspection (details below). Knowing this before ordering stops you buying the wrong product.
Ask the supplier for documents. Type-approval certificates, E-mark details, test reports, product photos and packaging/label samples. Do not buy undocumented parts hoping to sort it out later.
Choose your Incoterms. Buying FOB or EXW lets you control the transport. Our Incoterms selector helps you decide.
Plan transport and insurance. LCL or FCL, which port, what transit time? Give accurate volume and weight when requesting a freight quote.
Prepare the paperwork. Commercial invoice, packing list, bill of lading and, where relevant, a certificate of origin. For inspected products, the TAREKS application is made before the customs declaration.
Clearance and delivery. Once duties are paid and inspections completed, the goods are delivered to your warehouse. Note what happened on the first shipment; the second order will be much easier.

Regulations and permits

The information below reflects the situation as of October 2026. Turkish rules are renewed every year, so confirm with your customs broker before ordering.

Import inspection of vehicle parts (TAREKS)

Under the Ministry of Trade’s Communiqué on Import Inspection of Vehicle Parts (Product Safety and Inspection: 2026/25), parts such as tyres, brake pads, safety glass, headlamps and lighting/signalling devices, seat belts, child seats, horns and wheels are inspected on import. The Turkish Standards Institution (TSE) carries out the inspection, and applications go through TAREKS, Turkey’s risk-based foreign trade control system. Type-approval certificates and documents proving conformity with the relevant UN-ECE or EU rules are typically required. Parts without the proper approval mark on the product run into trouble at customs.

Import surveillance

For some products, a surveillance certificate from the Ministry of Trade is required when the declared unit value falls below a set threshold. For example, Surveillance Communiqué No. 2026/10, issued for 2026, covers oil and fuel filters for internal combustion engines. If you plan to import low-cost filters, check this first.

Duties: additional customs duty and anti-dumping

Many goods from countries without a free trade agreement with Turkey, such as China, may carry an additional customs duty (İGV) on top of the standard duty. Some products and origins are also subject to anti-dumping duties. Rates vary by tariff code and origin and change frequently, so we do not quote figures here; build your landed-cost calculation with your broker, code by code.

Brands, counterfeits and labelling

If you import branded parts, make sure the goods are genuine and that you have the right to use the brand. Turkish customs can suspend the clearance of goods suspected of infringing intellectual property rights, either at the right holder’s request or on its own initiative; counterfeit goods can be seized and lead to legal penalties. If you sell aftermarket equivalents, never present another company’s trademark as your own on the packaging. Part numbers, manufacturer details and origin marking on products and boxes that match the invoice also make clearance smoother.

Transport and packaging tips

Separate heavy and delicate parts: put heavy items such as brake discs and bearings at the bottom of the pallet, and light or fragile parts (lamps, mirrors, sensors) on top.
Use pallets: in LCL your cargo is handled several times in warehouses. Stretch-wrapped, corner-protected and labelled pallets reduce loss and damage.
Protect against rust and moisture: ask the supplier for oiled paper, VCI packaging or desiccants for metal parts; condensation is a real risk at sea.
Check for dangerous goods: batteries, airbag modules, some aerosols and oils may count as dangerous goods. Check their dangerous goods classification and tell your forwarder before mixing them with general cargo.
Mark every carton: part number, quantity and carton number, matching the packing list exactly.

Common mistakes

Placing the order first and researching inspection and document requirements afterwards.
Buying tyres, brake pads or lamps without an E-mark or type approval.
Under-declaring value on the invoice, which can lead to penalties and surveillance issues.
Trusting a cheap offer for branded parts without checking origin and authorisation.
Miscalculating volume and under-budgeting LCL freight. Measure carefully before asking for a quote.

Turkey as an automotive exporter

Automotive has long been Turkey’s largest export sector. According to the Uludağ Automotive Industry Exporters’ Association (OİB), the sector closed 2025 with around USD 41.5 billion in exports, with Germany as its largest market and most shipments going to EU countries. If you export spare parts or supplier-industry products, Medius can also handle groupage or full-truck road transport to Europe and sea or air freight to more distant markets.

How Medius helps in this sector

Medius is a boutique freight forwarder based in Istanbul. If you are starting with small shipments, you are in the right place: we stay with you step by step through your first import.

We plan your LCL and FCL shipments from China and coordinate loading with your supplier (sea freight).
We organise groupage and full truckloads for OEM parts from Germany and the rest of Europe (road freight from Germany).
We coordinate documents, TAREKS and surveillance steps together with your customs broker (customs clearance coordination).
We give practical advice on cargo insurance and packaging.

Frequently asked questions

Can I import a small quantity of spare parts from China?

Yes. With LCL you pay only for the volume you use. Air freight or express courier can also be used for small, urgent shipments.

Which parts are subject to TAREKS inspection?

Under the 2026 communiqué, safety parts such as tyres, brake pads, safety glass, lighting and signalling devices, seat belts, horns and wheels are covered. The exact status depends on the tariff code, so check with your broker.

Is importing parts from Germany easier than from China?

EU-origin industrial goods may benefit from customs duty advantages under the Customs Union, and road transit times are short. Document requirements for inspected parts still apply, though.

Is importing branded parts risky?

Not if you work with genuine products and authorised suppliers. If counterfeiting is suspected, clearance can be suspended and goods seized, so verify the supplier’s authorisation in advance.

Planning your first spare parts order? Share the cargo dimensions and pickup point and we will work out the right transport option together: request a quote.