Import Customs Clearance in Turkey, Step by Step: From Summary Declaration to Duties

Getting goods bought abroad to Turkey is only half the job. Before you can collect them, import customs formalities must be completed, duties paid and, where required, product inspections passed. Knowing these steps in advance avoids waiting charges at the port or warehouse and unexpected taxes. This guide walks through import customs clearance in Turkey step by step, from arrival to release for free circulation.

Import customs clearance at a glance

In Turkey, imports generally move through these stages:

1. The carrier files a summary declaration and the goods enter the customs area,
2. The goods are placed in temporary storage or a bonded warehouse,
3. A customs declaration is filed for the importer,
4. Any product inspections take place (TAREKS and relevant authorities),
5. Duties and taxes are calculated and paid,
6. Channel routing, inspection if required, and release for free circulation.

The steps depend on each other; for example, the declaration cannot be finalised before a required product inspection is complete.

Step 1: The summary declaration and arrival

The summary declaration is the carrier’s or its agent’s electronic notice to customs giving basic details of the incoming cargo: shipper, consignee, number of packages, weight and a general description. For sea, air and road shipments it is filed before or on arrival in Turkey.

As importer, at this stage you should:

• Make sure the consignee details on the bill of lading, air waybill or CMR are correct,
• Get the arrival notice from the carrier and pay freight or local charges on time,
• Obtain the delivery order for sea shipments.

The import declaration must match the summary declaration; even a difference in package count or consignee name can mean a correction.

Step 2: Temporary storage and bonded warehouses

On arrival, goods wait in a temporary storage facility (port yard, airport cargo terminal, customs area) until a declaration is filed. The legislation requires goods to be placed under a customs procedure within a set period; if that period is exceeded, the goods may be treated as abandoned and liquidated. Storage fees and container demurrage and detention charges also grow every day.

If you won’t release the goods straight away, a customs warehousing procedure is an option: goods are stored under customs control without paying duties and can be withdrawn in parts as needed. Planning inland transport in advance for transfers from the port to an inland customs office saves time.

Step 3: The import declaration and required documents

As with exports, the import declaration is filed through the Ministry of Trade’s BİLGE system, usually by a customs broker with an electronic signature. It covers the HS code, value, origin, quantity, delivery term and transport details.

Documents needed for import

A typical import requires:

• Commercial invoice and packing list,
• Transport document (bill of lading, air waybill, CMR),
• Freight invoice and insurance policy if any (to determine customs value),
• Proof of origin (EUR.1, origin declaration) or movement certificate (A.TR) if preferential duty is claimed,
• Product-specific inspection documents, licences or conformity documents.

Declaring the value correctly is critical. As a rule, the customs value is the price of the goods plus freight and insurance up to the Turkish border, so the delivery term (FOB or CIF, for example) and costs must be shown correctly. For delivery terms, see our Incoterms tool.

Step 4: Import controls, TAREKS and TSE

Some products are checked for product safety or technical compliance before release. Most of these checks run through TAREKS, the Ministry of Trade’s risk-based foreign trade control system.

In outline:

1. The importer applies through TAREKS before the declaration.
2. Based on risk analysis, the system either approves the application directly or routes it to a document check or physical inspection.
3. Depending on the product, the inspection is carried out by the relevant unit of the Ministry of Trade or by authorised bodies; for some product groups, organisations such as the Turkish Standards Institution (TSE) are involved.
4. A positive result is linked electronically to the declaration.

Which products are subject to which controls is set by import inspection communiqués published each year and amended during the year. Food, agricultural, chemical and medical products may also need approvals from other authorities such as the Ministry of Agriculture and Forestry or the Ministry of Health. Check your product’s status with your customs broker before ordering.

Step 5: Import duties and taxes

What you pay on import depends on the product, its origin and the procedure used. The main items are:

• Customs duty: A rate set by HS code and country of origin, applied to the customs value. EU-origin industrial goods and goods from FTA partners can enter at reduced or zero rates with the right document.
• Additional customs duty (İGV): Charged on certain products on top of customs duty, particularly on imports from countries without an FTA. Rates and scope are set in the annexes to the Import Regime Decree.
• Value added tax (VAT): Calculated on the customs value plus customs duty and other taxes and costs. Eligible importers can generally deduct the VAT paid under the usual rules.
• Special consumption tax (ÖTV): Applies to products on specific lists, such as vehicles, fuel, tobacco, alcohol and some durable consumer goods.

Some products may also attract stamp duty, additional financial obligations or trade defence measures such as anti-dumping duties. Because rates change often, we don’t quote them here; the 2026 import regime has also been amended during the year (as of October 2026). Confirm current rates with your customs broker and the decisions published in Turkey’s Official Gazette.

Estimating duties before you order is the only way to see a product’s real cost. Ask your broker for a pre-calculation based on the proforma invoice and HS code.

Step 6: Channel, inspection and release for free circulation

After registration, risk analysis routes the declaration to the green, yellow or red channel, or the blue channel for authorised companies. In the red channel, the goods are physically inspected. Once duties are paid and checks completed, the goods are released for free circulation and can be collected from temporary storage.

Frequently asked questions

How long does import clearance take?

With complete documents, no product inspection and a green channel, clearance can be quick. TAREKS controls, approvals from other authorities or a red channel extend the process, so a fixed time cannot be promised.

Do I pay customs duty on goods from the EU?

Industrial goods covered by the Customs Union can enter without customs duty with a valid A.TR, but VAT and any ÖTV are still due. Different rules apply to agricultural products and goods outside the Customs Union.

How long can goods stay in temporary storage?

The legislation sets periods by transport mode, and goods may be liquidated if they are exceeded. Ask your customs broker for the current periods, and aim to collect goods as soon as possible to limit costs.

Who files the TAREKS application?

It is filed on behalf of the importer, usually by the customs broker in practice. Asking your supplier in advance for technical documents such as test reports and declarations of conformity speeds things up.

Medius plans transport and customs together for your imports. With customs clearance coordination, cargo insurance and logistics consulting, we help you collect your goods without delay.