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Industrial Customs Clearance Services

With the 21st century, accelerating globalisation has increased foreign trade. As international markets continue to expand, countries that secure a larger share of these markets are seen to strengthen and develop their economies compared with other nations. Strong international companies play a significant role in this growth and development on behalf of our country.

Technological advancements have increased the speed, accessibility, and sharing of information, while the number of tools that facilitate and simplify international trade continues to grow. However, resolving all challenges efficiently and effectively still requires expert teams equipped with extensive knowledge, experience, and sector-specific expertise.

At this point, customs consultancy companies come to the forefront by resolving the customs clearance procedures of the country’s leading foreign trade companies in the fastest and most seamless manner and by making a significant contribution to their import and export operations.

For 25 years, our expert teams have been managing the customs clearance procedures of Türkiye’s leading international trade companies, particularly those operating in the precious metals sector.

Customs Procedures for Machinery, Equipment, and Industrial Products

Industrial customs clearance is a broad service area covering the import and export procedures of commercial goods such as production machinery, production lines, spare parts, electrical and electronic equipment, industrial raw materials, metal products, measuring instruments, and similar products.

Since the technical specifications and intended uses of industrial products differ significantly, customs procedures must be assessed on a product-by-product basis. Whether machinery is imported as a complete unit or in disassembled form, whether it is new or used, and whether it is imported independently or as part of a production line may affect the applicable customs duties, permits, inspections, and documentation requirements.

In Türkiye, customs procedures for industrial products are primarily carried out under Customs Law No. 4458, the Customs Regulation, the Import Regime Decision, the Law on Product Safety and Technical Regulations, and product-specific technical legislation.

The Customs Law sets out the fundamental rules applicable to goods entering and leaving the Customs Territory of Türkiye, while the Customs Regulation governs the procedures and principles relating to customs transactions.

The Importance of Correct HS Code Classification

One of the most important stages of the industrial customs clearance process is the correct classification of the product under the appropriate Customs Tariff Statistics Position, commonly referred to in Türkiye as the GTIP.

The GTIP is a 12-digit product code used in the Turkish Customs Tariff Schedule. Customs duties, additional customs duties, surveillance measures, trade policy measures, and product safety inspections applicable to the goods are largely determined according to this classification.

The operating principle, technical capacity, primary function, field of industrial use, components, and accompanying auxiliary equipment of a machine are important factors in determining the correct classification.

Declaring a product solely under its commercial name may not be sufficient. The GTIP should be determined by examining the technical catalogue, product images, operating diagrams, user manual, brand, model, serial number, and capacity details.

Where there is uncertainty regarding classification, obtaining Binding Tariff Information from the Ministry of Trade may be considered. Binding Tariff Information is an administrative decision issued by the competent authority regarding the classification of goods under the Customs Tariff Schedule.

Product Safety and TAREKS Procedures

Certain industrial products are inspected at the import stage to verify their compliance with technical legislation and product safety requirements. These inspections may vary depending on the product’s GTIP, intended use, and the applicable technical regulation.

TAREKS is an electronic, risk-based system that enables inspections relating to the safety, standards, and technical compliance of products subject to import or export.

Under this system, not every product consignment is automatically referred for physical inspection. Depending on established risk criteria, selected products may be directed to document checks, physical inspections, or laboratory examinations.

Many product groups may be subject to inspection during importation, including:

* Electrical equipment
* Pressure vessels
* Gas-burning appliances
* Certain types of machinery
* Bearings
* Flanges
* Pipe fittings
* Plugs and sockets
* Construction materials
* Personal protective equipment

Inspection procedures for machinery and certain products required to bear the CE marking are determined under the applicable Product Safety and Inspection Communiqués.

Depending on the product, the following documents may be requested:

* CE marking
* EU Declaration of Conformity
* Test reports
* Technical file
* User manual
* Product labelling information
* Manufacturer documentation
* Compliance letters issued by authorised institutions

The presence of a CE marking on the product does not, by itself, always mean that the product is eligible for importation. The product must comply with the relevant technical regulation, and the supporting documentation must be prepared accurately and completely.

Documents Required for Industrial Product Imports

The required documentation varies depending on the nature and origin of the product, the delivery terms, and the applicable customs procedure.

In general, the following documents may need to be prepared, where applicable:

* Commercial invoice
* Transport document or bill of lading
* Packing list
* Certificate of origin or movement certificate
* Insurance and payment documents
* Technical catalogue and product images
* Lists of brands, models, and serial numbers
* Declaration of conformity and test reports
* Inspection certificate, permit, licence, or surveillance document
* TAREKS application and conformity information

It is important that the product description, quantity, weight, brand, model, unit price, and total value stated in the invoice and packing list are consistent with each other.

For shipments imported as a production line, the main machinery, auxiliary equipment, spare parts, accessories, and consumable materials forming part of the line may need to be listed separately.

Taxes, Origin, and Customs Value

The customs duties and other financial obligations applicable to the importation of industrial products are determined according to the product’s GTIP, country of origin, and the Import Regime regulations in force on the transaction date.

The Import Regime Decision covers customs duties, additional financial liabilities, import permits, and other import-related measures.

Since tariff and tax practices may change during the year, current regulations should be reviewed before each shipment.

When determining customs value, not only the product price shown on the invoice but also, where required by legislation, the following value elements may be taken into account:

* Freight
* Insurance
* Mould costs
* Design costs
* Licence fees
* Royalties
* Similar value components

It is important that the declared customs value reflects the actual transaction value and can be supported by payment records.

Special Customs Procedures

Where the necessary conditions are met, the Inward Processing Regime may be applied to raw materials, auxiliary materials, and packaging materials imported for use in the production of goods intended for export.

Under the suspension system, import duties may be secured by a guarantee. Under the drawback system, duties collected at the time of importation may be refunded once the applicable conditions have been fulfilled and the processed products have been exported.

The temporary importation procedure may also be considered for machinery and equipment brought into Türkiye temporarily for purposes such as:

* Trade fairs
* Testing
* Installation
* Rental
* Maintenance
* Use in a specific project

Temporarily imported goods must be re-exported within the authorised period or placed under another customs-approved treatment or use.

Professional Industrial Customs Clearance Services

In industrial customs clearance procedures, accurate GTIP classification, advance review of technical documents, completion of product safety applications, and selection of the appropriate customs procedure are essential for the secure and efficient management of transactions.

Professional customs consultancy support helps to reduce the risk of incomplete or incorrect documentation, prevent unnecessary delays at customs, and ensure that import and export procedures are carried out in compliance with applicable legislation.

Since every industrial product has different technical characteristics, it is recommended that product catalogues, commercial documents, GTIP classification, applicable tax burden, and permit requirements be reviewed on a transaction-specific basis before shipment.