How to Find Your GTİP (HS Code) in Turkey: A Practical Guide

Almost every obligation at customs, from the duty rate to import licences, hangs on one number: the HS code, known in Turkey as the GTİP. Finding the right GTİP means classifying your product under the correct tariff heading; getting it wrong can lead to back-duties, penalties and delays. This guide explains how the code is built, how to classify step by step, how to apply for Binding Tariff Information (BTI) and what happens when the code is wrong.

What is a GTİP and why does it matter?

GTİP stands for Gümrük Tarife İstatistik Pozisyonu, the Turkish customs tariff and statistical position. It is Turkey’s national version of the Harmonized System (HS) code. Every import and export declaration carries a GTİP, and customs uses it to decide:

Which customs duty, additional customs duty and any anti-dumping duty apply
How VAT and special consumption tax (ÖTV) are applied
Whether import controls, prior permits, licences or conformity documents are required
Whether preferential (free trade agreement) duty rates are available
How the shipment is recorded in trade statistics

In short, the GTİP is your product’s identity at customs. It is common for a buyer, a seller, a customs broker and a supplier to use different codes for the same product, and customs tends to notice.

How the HS system is structured: 2, 4, 6 digits and 12 digits in Turkey

The Harmonized System is maintained by the World Customs Organization (WCO), and the first six digits are shared worldwide. The nomenclature is organised into sections and chapters, broadly moving from raw materials to more processed goods.

The code is read in layers:

First 2 digits – chapter: the product group (for example, one chapter covers machinery, another plastics).
First 4 digits – heading: the main product heading within the chapter.
First 6 digits – subheading: the last internationally harmonised level. A product’s six-digit HS code is the same in China and in Germany.
Digits 7–8: because of the Customs Union with the EU, Turkey follows an 8-digit structure aligned with the EU’s Combined Nomenclature (CN).
Digits 9–12: national subdivisions used for Turkey-specific duty and statistical distinctions.

That is why a 6, 8 or 10-digit code on a foreign supplier’s invoice cannot simply be copied into a Turkish declaration. The first six digits point the way, but the code has to be completed to 12 digits under Turkish rules. The WCO also revises the HS periodically, so relying on an old code increases the risk of error.

The General Interpretative Rules

A keyword search will not always lead to the right code. Classification follows the General Interpretative Rules (GIRs) of the Harmonized System. There are six, applied in order:

Rule 1: Section and chapter titles are for reference only; classification is determined by the wording of the headings and the section and chapter notes. Always start here.
Rule 2: Incomplete or unassembled goods are classified as the finished article if they have its essential character. It also covers mixtures and combinations of materials.
Rule 3: Where goods could fall under two or more headings, the most specific description wins; failing that, the component giving essential character decides; failing that, the heading that comes last in numerical order.
Rule 4: Goods that fit no heading go under the heading for the goods they most closely resemble.
Rule 5: Explains when cases, boxes and packaging are classified together with the goods.
Rule 6: Classification at subheading level follows the same principles, comparing only subheadings at the same level.

Sets, multi-function devices, parts and accessories, and mixtures are where most disputes arise. For these, always read the chapter notes and explanatory notes.

How to find a GTİP step by step

1. Describe the product technically

Describe what the product is, not what it is called commercially: material, composition, function, operating principle, end use and packaging. Data sheets, catalogues, lab analyses and photos are very useful here.

2. Identify the chapter and heading in the Turkish Customs Tariff

The Turkish Customs Tariff Schedule is published by the Ministry of Trade and updated every year. Shortlist the chapters your product could fall into, read the section and chapter notes, then compare the heading texts. Where needed, consult the HS Explanatory Notes and the tariff explanatory notes published by the Ministry.

3. Work down from 6 to 12 digits

Compare subheadings under Rule 6 until you reach the 12-digit GTİP. At this stage technical details such as dimensions, weight or material share can be decisive.

4. Check the code and the measures attached to it

For the chosen GTİP, check current duty rates, additional customs duty, anti-dumping measures, import controls and permit requirements. These change, so check the current rules for every shipment. Through our customs clearance service we can run these checks with you.

5. Keep the documents consistent

Make sure the product description on the proforma, commercial invoice, packing list and origin documents matches the GTİP. If your supplier’s invoice shows a different HS code, sort it out before shipping.

Applying for Binding Tariff Information (BTI)

If you are unsure about classification, or you regularly import or export the same product, consider applying for Binding Tariff Information (Bağlayıcı Tarife Bilgisi, BTB). It is an official written decision by customs on the tariff classification of a specific product.

Key points:

Application: Filed on the standard form with the competent Regional Directorate of Customs and Foreign Trade of the Ministry of Trade. The form includes a detailed description, trade name, technical characteristics and your proposed GTİP; photos, catalogues or samples may be requested.
Binding effect: The BTI binds customs only on the classification of that product, for operations carried out after it is issued. You must be able to show that the goods declared match the goods described in the BTI.
Validity: Under the Turkish Customs Law, a BTI is valid for six years from the date of issue (as of October 2026). It can lose validity earlier if the tariff changes or the BTI is revoked or amended.
Scope: Each BTI covers a single product; different products need separate applications.

A BTI is strong protection when you import a new product for the first time or have had classification disputes before. Check current Ministry guidance and your customs broker for processing times and application details.

What happens if the GTİP is wrong?

A wrong GTİP is usually an honest mistake, but the consequences can still be serious:

Back-duties and penalties: Unpaid duties are collected, and fines and late-payment interest may apply under the Customs Law.
Post-clearance audits: Customs can review declarations after the goods have been released. An additional assessment years later can wipe out your margin.
Missing permits: If the correct code requires a permit, conformity document or inspection, the goods are held at customs and storage and demurrage costs pile up.
Lost preferences: A mismatch between the code on the origin document and the declaration can put preferential rates at risk.
Export issues: On exports, a wrong code can also affect incentives, support schemes and statistics.

Responsibility for the GTİP lies with the declarant. When in doubt, work with your customs broker and consider a BTI application.

Frequently asked questions

Can I use the HS code my supplier gives me?

The first six digits are usually a good starting point, but Turkey uses a 12-digit GTİP, so the code must be completed and checked against the Turkish Customs Tariff. Your supplier may also have classified the product differently.

Do GTİP codes change every year?

The Turkish Customs Tariff is updated annually; codes can be split, merged or deleted. The WCO also revises the HS periodically. Never reuse a code from an old declaration without checking it.

Is a BTI mandatory?

No. But for products whose classification is debatable or which carry high duties, it provides valuable protection against future disputes.

Can the same product have different codes in different countries?

The first six digits are harmonised internationally, but each country sets the digits that follow, and countries sometimes interpret the same product differently. When exporting, it is worth checking the destination country’s classification too.

The right GTİP means the right duty, smooth clearance and predictable costs. Medius supports you with classification and document preparation through our customs clearance coordination and logistics consulting services; send us your shipment details via our quote form. For quick definitions, see our logistics glossary.