Country profile
Turkey
TR · TURAs of: 7/18/2026Transit and transshipment hub between Europe, Asia and the Middle East; production site with connection to the EU Customs Union
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.
Overview
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).
Mentioned countries
Customs & Import/Export
Customs authority
Ticaret Bakanlığı – Gümrükler Genel Müdürlüğü (Ministry of Trade – General Directorate of Customs)Import system
Electronic customs clearance via the BILGE system, linked to the Single Window (Tek Pencere). Declarations are usually submitted through customs agents.
Export system
Exports also via BILGE/Tek Pencere; for e-commerce small consignments, simplified electronic export declaration ETGB (Micro-Export).
Import VAT
- VAT (KDV): standard rate 20 percent
- reduced rates 10 and 1 percent. Collected at customs clearance.
Import documents
- Commercial invoice
- Packing list
- Transport document (B/L, CMR, AWB)
- Proof of origin
- A.TR (for EU Customs Union)
- Conformity/import permit (TAREKS)
Export documents
- Commercial invoice
- Packing list
- Export declaration
- Transport document
- A.TR or EUR.1/EUR-MED
- Certificate of origin from the Chamber of Commerce
Origin proofs / FTA
A.TR movement certificate for free circulation in the EU Customs Union (industrial goods); EUR.1 or EUR-MED and origin declaration for originating goods under free trade agreements.
Restricted & prohibited goods
Prohibited/restricted: weapons and ammunition, narcotics, counterfeit goods, certain cultural property, CITES species, as well as agricultural, health and strategic goods subject to authorization.
Export controls & sanctions
Control of dual-use and military goods by the Ministry of Trade; member of Wassenaar, Australia Group, NSG and MTCR. Not a target of EU/US sanctions; residual risk of secondary sanctions (Russia circumvention).
Without warranty — always verify with freight forwarder/customs agent and official authorities.
Customs / Import / Export (Europe) — General process
Quick operational overview for international shipments to Europe. Depending on the destination (customs union, VAT, product rules), steps and documents may differ.
Documents (typical)
- Commercial invoice (description, value, Incoterms)
- Packing list (weights, dimensions, packages)
- HS code / tariff classification
- Proof of origin / preference docs (where relevant)
- Transport documents (AWB / Bill of Lading) depending on mode
Process (simplified)
- Prepare export (docs, HS code, origin)
- Import clearance in destination country (declaration, possible checks)
- Release and delivery; duties/taxes according to classification and value
Important: Requirements depend on goods, origin, Incoterms, value, and consignee. When in doubt, confirm with your broker/forwarder and official sources.
Official links
Note: regional/general sources. Country-specific authority links will be added iteratively.
Trade
Freight Infrastructure & Transport Network
Transport relevance
Cargo airports
- Istanbul Airport (IST)
- Istanbul Sabiha Gökçen (SAW)
- Ankara Esenboğa (ESB)
- Izmir Adnan Menderes (ADB)
Seaports / access ports
Road corridors & border crossings
- TIR network toward the EU via Kapıkule (Bulgarian border)
- Ro-Ro links to Trieste (Italy)
- Connection to the Middle East via Habur (Iraq)
Rail corridors
- Baku-Tbilisi-Kars (BTK) / Middle Corridor to Central Asia and China
- Istanbul-Kapıkule toward the EU
- Marmaray tunnel (Bosphorus crossing)
Top trade lanes
- Turkey-EU (Germany, Italy)
- Turkey-Russia
- Turkey-China
- Turkey-Iraq
- Turkey-USA
Risk & Operational Notes
Risk notes
Lira exchange rate volatility, earthquake risk (North Anatolian Fault, 2023 earthquake), and compliance due diligence due to secondary sanctions risks for Russia-related transit.
Seasonal & weather risks
Winter snow and ice conditions in the Anatolian highlands and eastern Anatolia may delay road and border traffic (e.g. Kapıkule).
Current logistics notes
BTK railway since June 2026 with increased capacity (Middle Corridor). Since January 2026, lower de minimis threshold (30 euros) for small import consignments; micro-export limit raised to 30'000 euros/600 kg. No nationwide disruption verified (as of 2026-07-18).
As of: 2026-07-18
Operational notes – no claim to completeness. Verify with your freight forwarder and official sources.
Public holidays
| Date | Holiday | Type | Customs closed | Transport affected | Note |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Jan 1, 2026 | New Year's Day | National | |||
| Apr 23, 2026 | National Sovereignty and Children's Day | National | |||
| May 1, 2026 | Labour and Solidarity Day | National | |||
| May 19, 2026 | Commemoration of Atatürk, Youth and Sports Day | National | |||
| Jul 15, 2026 | Democracy and National Unity Day | National | |||
| Aug 30, 2026 | Victory Day | National | |||
| Oct 29, 2026 | Republic Day | National | The afternoon of 28 October (from 1 pm) is also a statutory half-day holiday. |
New Year's Day
Jan 1, 2026
National Sovereignty and Children's Day
Apr 23, 2026
Labour and Solidarity Day
May 1, 2026
Commemoration of Atatürk, Youth and Sports Day
May 19, 2026
Democracy and National Unity Day
Jul 15, 2026
Victory Day
Aug 30, 2026
Republic Day
Oct 29, 2026
The afternoon of 28 October (from 1 pm) is also a statutory half-day holiday.
Sources: Gesetz 2429 (Ulusal Bayram ve Genel Tatiller Hakkında Kanun)
Tolls & charges
HGS (Hızlı Geçiş Sistemi)
TollOperator: KGM (Generaldirektion Autobahnen) / PTT; BOT-Betreiber für Brücken und private Autobahnen
truck, articulated, all
Electronic tolling on tolled motorways (Otoyol), Bosphorus bridges and major tunnels via the HGS sticker (RFID, prepaid via PTT); no cash payment at the gantry. Rates by vehicle class (axles/height) and distance; BOT routes such as Gebze-Orhangazi-Izmir, Northern Marmara Motorway and the Osmangazi/1915 Çanakkale bridges have separate, higher tariffs. No vignette.
Sources: KGM (Karayolları Genel Müdürlüğü)
Airports in this country
Seaports in this country
Latest News
Sources & Data Confidence
Official sources
- ticaret.gov.tr
- ggm.ticaret.gov.tr
- tuik.gov.tr
Source references without warranty. For legal/tax decisions consult official authorities.
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.
Which trade partners are important for Turkey?
Which logistics terms are especially relevant for Turkey?
For international shipments, these terms are a good quick start:
Next steps
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