# Turkey (TR) **Capital:** Ankara **Currency:** Turkish lira (TRY) (TRY) **Population:** 85,664,944 — Older stored figure; source year not documented. **Area:** 783,562 km² > Türkiye bridges Europe, Asia and the Middle East and is closely tied to the EU single market through the EU Customs Union (since 1996, industrial goods). Istanbul Airport is Europe's largest air-cargo hub, and ports such as Ambarli, Mersin and Aliaga rank among the world's top 100 container ports. Road (TIR via Kapikule, Ro-Ro to Italy) and the BTK railway (Middle Corridor) make the country a key transit hub. Türkiye (ISO code: TR) lies at the crossroads of Europe and Asia, bordering Greece, Bulgaria, Georgia, Armenia, Iran, Azerbaijan and Iraq and fronting the Mediterranean, Aegean and Black Seas. It is a presidential republic and an emerging industrial economy with strong machinery, automotive, textile, electronics, agriculture and tourism sectors. Through the EU Customs Union (since 1996) most industrial goods circulate with the EU free of customs duty under an A.TR certificate. Logistically the country is a major transit hub: Istanbul Airport is Europe's busiest air-cargo gateway, several container ports rank in the global top 100, and road (TIR), Ro-Ro and the BTK railway (Middle Corridor) link Europe, Asia and the Middle East. The currency is the Turkish lira (TRY). **Top Import Partners:** CN, RU, DE, US, IT **Top Export Partners:** DE, US, IT, IQ, GB **Top Import Goods:** Mineral oils, Machinery, Electronics, Vehicles, Iron **Top Export Goods:** Vehicles, Machinery, Electronics, Textiles, Iron **Key Airports:** - [Adnan Menderes International Airport (ADB)](https://www.freight-academy.com/en/information/airports/adnan-menderes-international-airport-adb) - [Antalya International Airport (AYT)](https://www.freight-academy.com/en/information/airports/antalya-international-airport-ayt) - [Dalaman International Airport (DLM)](https://www.freight-academy.com/en/information/airports/dalaman-international-airport-dlm) - [Esenboğa International Airport (ESB)](https://www.freight-academy.com/en/information/airports/esenboga-international-airport-esb) - [Istanbul Sabiha Gökçen International Airport (SAW)](https://www.freight-academy.com/en/information/airports/istanbul-sabiha-goekcen-international-airport-saw) - [Milas Bodrum International Airport (BJV)](https://www.freight-academy.com/en/information/airports/milas-bodrum-international-airport-bjv) - [Çukurova International Airport (COV)](https://www.freight-academy.com/en/information/airports/cukurova-international-airport-cov) - [İstanbul Airport (IST)](https://www.freight-academy.com/en/information/airports/istanbul-airport-ist) - [Adana Şakirpaşa Airport (ADA)](https://www.freight-academy.com/en/information/airports/adana-sakirpasa-airport-ada) - [Adıyaman Airport (ADF)](https://www.freight-academy.com/en/information/airports/adıyaman-airport-adf) **Key Seaports:** - [Ambarli (TR AMR)](https://www.freight-academy.com/en/information/seaports/ambarli-port-tr-amr) - [Gemlik (TR GEM)](https://www.freight-academy.com/en/information/seaports/gemlik-port-tr-gem) - [Istanbul (TR IST)](https://www.freight-academy.com/en/information/seaports/istanbul-port-tr-ist) - [Izmir (TR IZM)](https://www.freight-academy.com/en/information/seaports/izmir-port-tr-izm) - [Samsun (TR SSX)](https://www.freight-academy.com/en/information/seaports/samsun-port-tr-ssx) - [Tekirdag (TR TEK)](https://www.freight-academy.com/en/information/seaports/tekirdag-port-tr-tek) - [Aliaga (TR ALI)](https://www.freight-academy.com/en/information/seaports/aliaga-port-tr-ali) - [Eregli (TR ERE)](https://www.freight-academy.com/en/information/seaports/eregli-port-tr-ere) - [Haydarpasa (TR HAY)](https://www.freight-academy.com/en/information/seaports/haydarpasa-port-tr-hay) - [Mersin (TR MER)](https://www.freight-academy.com/en/information/seaports/mersin-port-tr-mer) ## Customs & Import **Import VAT:** VAT (KDV): standard rate 20 percent **Customs complexity:** medium **Customs system:** Electronic customs clearance via the BILGE system, linked to the Single Window (Tek Pencere). Declarations are usually submitted through customs agents. **Customs authority:** [Ticaret Bakanlığı – Gümrükler Genel Müdürlüğü (Ministry of Trade – General Directorate of Customs)](https://ggm.ticaret.gov.tr) ## Logistics & Risk **Logistics role:** Transit and transshipment hub between Europe, Asia and the Middle East; production site with connection to the EU Customs Union **Economic area:** EU Customs Union (industrial goods since 1996), G20, OECD, WTO, EU accession candidate **Logistics risk:** medium **Dangerous goods relevance:** medium to high **Pharma/cold chain:** medium ## FAQ ### Is there customs-free trade between the EU and Turkey? Through the EU Customs Union (since 1996), industrial goods and processed agricultural products in free circulation are duty-free, proven with the A.TR certificate. Basic agricultural products as well as coal and steel are excluded and are covered by separate preferential agreements. ### What is the import tax (KDV) in Turkey? VAT (KDV) is 20 percent at the standard rate, and 10 and 1 percent at reduced rates. It is collected at customs clearance on the customs value plus customs duties. ### Which customs authority and system are responsible? The Gümrükler Genel Müdürlüğü (General Directorate of Customs) of the Ministry of Trade is responsible. Processing is carried out electronically via the BILGE system, which is linked to the Single Window (Tek Pencere). ### What is the A.TR movement certificate? The A.TR certifies the duty-free status of goods in free circulation within the EU Customs Union, not their origin. For preferential origin under free trade agreements, EUR.1 or EUR-MED certificates and origin declarations are used instead. ### Which ports and airports are central? The main container ports are Ambarlı, Mersin, Aliağa, Tekirdağ/Asyaport and Kocaeli. For air cargo, Istanbul Airport (Europe's largest cargo hub), Sabiha Gökçen, Ankara and Izmir are key. ### How does micro-export (ETGB) work? Micro-export allows a simplified electronic export declaration (ETGB) for e-commerce small consignments without customs agents. Since 2026, limits of 30'000 euros and 600 kg per consignment apply. ### What risks should shippers consider? Points to note are the lira's exchange rate volatility, earthquake risk, winter border delays (for example at Kapıkule), and increased compliance due diligence due to secondary sanctions risks for Russia-related transit. ## Sources & Last Verified - [https://ggm.ticaret.gov.tr](https://ggm.ticaret.gov.tr) - [https://www.trade.gov.tr/customs-formalities](https://www.trade.gov.tr/customs-formalities) - [https://taxsummaries.pwc.com/turkey/corporate/other-taxes](https://taxsummaries.pwc.com/turkey/corporate/other-taxes) - [https://taxation-customs.ec.europa.eu/turkey-customs-unions-and-preferential-arrangements_en](https://taxation-customs.ec.europa.eu/turkey-customs-unions-and-preferential-arrangements_en) - [https://trade.ec.europa.eu/access-to-markets/en/content/eu-turkiye-customs-union](https://trade.ec.europa.eu/access-to-markets/en/content/eu-turkiye-customs-union) - [https://www.tuik.gov.tr](https://www.tuik.gov.tr) - [https://container-news.com/turkish-ports-record-13-5-million-teus-in-2024/](https://container-news.com/turkish-ports-record-13-5-million-teus-in-2024/) - [https://www.aa.com.tr/en/economy/istanbul-airport-in-2024-claimed-crown-of-europes-busiest-air-cargo-hub/3493260](https://www.aa.com.tr/en/economy/istanbul-airport-in-2024-claimed-crown-of-europes-busiest-air-cargo-hub/3493260) *Last verified: 2026-07-18* --- *Freight Academy — Country Profile: [https://www.freight-academy.com/en/information/land/tr](https://www.freight-academy.com/en/information/land/tr)* *Markdown mirror: [https://www.freight-academy.com/api/md/country/en/tr](https://www.freight-academy.com/api/md/country/en/tr)*