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Import/Export

United States to Turkey

Country or Territory Regulations Topics:

Commodity Specific Stipulations

There are special stipulations on the following commodities when shipping to Turkey. If you plan to ship one of the commodities listed below, be sure to adhere to the following stipulations in order to avoid delays and holds at customs.

Coffee shipments must be accompanied by an original phytosanitary certificate provided by the producer/shipper. The importer, no matter if a company or a private person, has to provide an import permit from the the Ministry of Agriculture. Import delays may occur and accessorial charges may apply.
Computers are subject to CE regulation and require "Service Maintenance and Warranty Certificate" for customs clearance which needs to be provided by the importer, otherwise importation is not allowed.

Computers sent for non-commercial purposes or personal use do not require Service Maintenance and Warranty Certificate.

Cosmetics importation is subject to Cosmetics Regulation and the importers need to provide the approvals from the Ministry of Health.

Customs is strict on such commodities related with human health like vitamins, foods, cosmetics, chemicals etc.

It is not under UPS control and decision is given by the Customs authority.

Companies must provide special permission from the Turkish Ministry of Health.

Private individuals must provide a prescription approved by the City Health Organizations and a special statement from the Hospital Committee.

The receiver must be the person who will be using the medicine.

Tickets for events like stage performances, football matches or concerts must be sent as non-doc shipments. The invoice must show the manufacturing cost of the ticket.
Food shipments require permission from the Ministry of Agriculture for both commercial and private importers.
Require an invoice for the intercompany data with the value for customs purposes only.
Turkish customs regulation requires formal entry for labels, no matter what value or quantity. If the labels have brands, they can only be temporarily imported unless the consignee and the shipper have a trademark agreement.
Shipments of medical items require written permission from the Turkish Ministry of Health. Properly cleared shipments will be exempt from duty and taxes.
Companies must provide special permission from the Turkish Ministry of Health.

Private individuals have to provide a prescription approved by the City Health Organizations and a special statement from the Hospital Committee.

The receiver must be the person who will be using the medicine.

Customers must use an authorized UPS / MBE (Mail Boxes Etc) Store, UPS Customer Center or ISC Approved Shipper to ship personal effects.

The UPS Store, Mail Boxes Etc, UPS Customer Center or ISC approved shipper will be required to identify personal effect shipments on the shipping label by placing "Personal Effects" in the Reference Field of a UPS "smart" label or in the Special Instructions Field of a UPS waybill. They must also clearly indicate 'Personal Effects' shipment on the Commercial Invoice.

Personal Effects are classified as used items (owned for a minimum of 6 months) intended for the consignee's personal use. Any items intended for any other use, such as wholesale or retail sales, business purposes, or for distribution are not considered personal effects and cannot be shipped on this basis. "Personal Effects" must be clearly stated on the invoice and goods description.

All of the following documents must be scanned into DIS/SIR and originals on the package:

An inventory list with estimated values with the reason for importation (holidays, move, relocation) A confirmation that the goods are older than 6 months and that they are intended for personal use only A photocopy of passport or ID card Any items intended for any other use, such as wholesale or retail sales, business purposes, or for distribution are not considered personal effects and cannot be shipped on this basis.

Excisable goods (for example, perfume, alcoholic drinks, tobacco), medicine and perishable food can not be cleared as personal effects.

Personal effects shipments are not allowed in combination with Return Services.

Pharmaceuticals require written permission from the Turkish Ministry of Health. Properly cleared goods will be exempt from duty and taxes. Companies require permission from the Turkish Ministry of Health.
A maintenance and repair certificate issued by the Ministry of Industry, and a permit from the Turkish Telecommunication Office is required from the consignee prior to importation of shipments of telephones (including cellular).
Obtain permission from the relevant ministry prior to importation.
Additional anti dumping duty exists for some textile products manufactured in certain countries or territories, especially China.

abrics are analysed by the Ministry of Customs and Trade İstanbul Laboratory Management prior to customs clearance.The fabrics are tested on harmful chemicals used during the manufature of fabrics which left residues within the final product. The process can cause a delay up to two weeks.> By announcement of Turkish Government, for all Textile shipments over 50 kgs in weight shipped to Turkey, the shipper must have an Exporter Registry Form signed by the Turkish Embassy in the origin country or territory. This form will only be required once if shipped from the same shipper to the same consignee. The importer of the textiles must be registered to ITKIB (foundation of the Under Secretary of Foreign Trade).

Exporter Registry FormThe importer of the textiles must be registered to ITKIB (foundation of the Under Secretary of Foreign Trade).

  • Exporter Registry Form could be downloaded from - http://www.itkib.org.tr/ithalat/dosyalar/2009-21.doc
  • Copies of Exporter Registry Form certified by Turkish Public Notaries will also be accepted.
  • Approvals of the competent authority and Turkish Consulate General in the exporter's country or territory are solely to certify that the seal and signature appearing on the form are genuine, and do not mean the approval of the content of the form. Competent authorities are legal entities, authorized to approve the genuineness of signatures and seals appearing on documents. Generally, these are Chambers of Commerce, which also issue certificates of origin and such documents.
    (Sample approvals http://www.itkib.org.tr/ithalat/dosyalar/Lisands1.jpg http://www.itkib.org.tr/ithalat/dosyalar/Onay1.jpg )
  • Export Registry Form could be approved by Apostille in accordance with the La Hague Convention dated October 5, 1961, instead of Turkish Consulate General's approval.
  • Exporter Registry Form will be submitted once in a calendar year, and will be valid for that calendar year.
  • Parts of the Exporter Registry Form that are regarded as addressing commercial secrets, could be filled with the explanation, "Firm's commercial secret"
It is not allowed to import any used, second hand goods without permission from the Undersecretary of Customs.
Data shipments require an invoice with the character of the USB stick (storing intercompany data) and the value of the USB Stick.
Customs requires the consignee provide a Maintenance and Repair Certificate issued by the Ministry prior to importation.
Require permission from the Ministry of Health or the Ministry of Agriculture for both commercial and private importers.

Prohibited or Restricted Commodities

The importer needs to provide a permit from the Ministry of Agriculture and Monopoly Management.

Only Commercial Companies are able to obtain this, not private importers.

Antiques are defined as a work of art, piece of furniture, decorative object, or silverware that is 100 years old or older. The importer has to apply for an expert report by Turkish authorities (for example, experts of a museum).
Paintings or other works of art can be accepted if the artist is still alive, the artwork is replaceable and an art dealer or gallery has appraised the artwork within the last year. If the declared value of the artwork is greater than $100.00 and there is a claim, the shipper must provide a copy of the original invoice, a bill of sale, or other proof certifying in writing the actual cost or replacement cost of the item.

Artwork includes the following: Original engravings, prints, lithographs, original sculptures, statuary.

The term "Artwork" does not apply to: architectural, engineering, industrial, topographical, commercial drawings, hand-painted or hand-decorated manufactured articles.

Electronics Cigarettes are prohibited by the Ministry of Health to be imported into Turkey.
Shipments of knives require permission from the City Governor and the Police Department for both commercial and private importers. There is no exemption for knives sent as gifts or for decorative use. This does not include tableware knives.
Individuals are not allowed to import mobile phones to Turkey and cannot be accepted as a gift item regardless of the value and quantity. Only option on arrival in Turkey of such shipments is RTS and costs apply. RTS process takes 2-3 business days.

Only companies are allowed to import (provided they have approval from the Ministry of Industry and Turkish Telecom Office) with appropriate CE Regulation-please see Additional Import Documentation.

Products made in Iran are prohibited in our service due to a current embargo.
All tobacco products are prohibited. No exemptions for gifts or private shipments.

NOTE: Information provided by UPS is provided AS IS, may not be current, and does not constitute legal advice. In no event shall UPS be liable for any errors in the information, forms or features made available by UPS, or by any third party site linked to from UPS. Selection and completion of proper forms for any given shipment is the sole responsibility of the shipper. All shipments are subject to the UPS Terms and Conditions of Service in effect at the time of shipping for the country or territory of origin.
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