The import and export process in Turkey has become similar in terms of regulations and laws in most countries of the world; so knowing the customs regulations in a particular country qualifies to know the regulations in any country in the world to some extent.
As for the customs clearance process, it is a documentary process in the first degree in import or export, as the required documents are very similar in customs clearance for exports and imports.
Introduction to Import & Export and Customs Clearance in Turkey
In most countries of the world, customs regulations and laws for import and export are uniform and have similar systems.
- In 1947, the famous GATT was established, the General Agreement on Customs Tariffs, which aimed to facilitate trade exchanges between member states and remove obstacles between these countries, which was the result of establishing the World Trade Organization.
- In 1995 the World Trade Organization agreement was established.
- World Trade Organization which aimed at unifying customs tariffs among member states, resolving disputes between states and problems of dumping, in addition to reducing customs duties between member states, where the number of members reached 164 members.
Papers required to Export any Shipment
- Commercial invoice
- Packing regulations
- Certificate of Origin
- Shipping Policy
- Health certificates for food products
- Fumigation certificates for wooden products
- Quality certificates are required in some countries, but not in all countries, such as Algeria, China…
Papers required to Import any Shipment
- Commercial or industrial registry
- Import card (import license)
- Tax card
- General authorization of the customs broker certified by the Chamber of Commerce or Industry.
- Payment document by the bank (document proving the transfer of the invoice value outside the importer’s country)
Overview of Customs Clearance Method in Turkey
The 10 steps for the customs clearance process of the goods are:
- The arrival of the ship with the container to be released
- The ship starts unloading its cargo from the containers on the harbor floor
- The customs broker shall withdraw the receipt of the container from the shipping carrier based on the bills of lading submitted by him.
- The customs broker submits the commercial invoice, packing regulations and certificate of origin to the container to the customs in order to know the customs duties of the goods
- After submitting the invoices to customs, a scout is sent by the customs to inspect the goods if they match the papers presented by the broker
- After the customs inspection process and ensuring that they match the invoices, the customs duties value will be determined
- There are certain goods such as food commodities. The scout may request to send a sample of it to the competent authorities for analysis and approval and to ensure that it conforms to the specifications specified in this country
- After knowing the customs duties involved in the goods, they are paid by the customs broker
- After the fees are paid, the broker receives the release permission for the container
- After obtaining the release permission, the clearer unloads the container from the goods inside the port or loads the container and sends it on the back of a truck to the buyer so that the buyer undertakes the process of unloading it directly in his warehouse, and the customs clearance process takes about 5 to 7 continuous working days if the clearance process is free of any problems or any obstacles