Miscellaneous

CE Regulation (Product Safety)

The Community European (CE) regulation has come into force for the following goods: toys, in-vitro diagnostic medical devices, medical devices, machinery, low voltage equipment and electromagnetic compatibility.

Goods falling into the listed commodity groups above are subject to CE regulation and require approval from the Undersecretary of Foreign Trade (DTM) or The Standards Institute of Turkey (TSE). A "Declaration of Conformity" certificate, which must be provided by the shipper, is required to get this approval.

In addition to the "Declaration of Conformity" certificate, the following documents can also be required by the mentioned foundations: test certificate of the goods, test reports, service guide in Turkish and drawing and catalogues.

Exemption 1 - Non- commercial goods sent to individuals for personal use and not subject to any professional or commercial use can be custom cleared exempt from getting approval from the foundations mentioned above. With this notice, there is also an exemption to the goods sent as samples matching the sample description of the customs laws.

Exemption 2 - If the goods are of EU origin, sent from a European Union country or territory , there are CE signs on the goods or their packs and an ATR accompanies the shipment, the shipment can be custom cleared with special treatment without approval from the Undersecretary of Foreign Trade (DTM) or Standards Institute of Turkey (TSE).

If the goods are non EU origin, even if they are sent from an EU country or territory and with an ATR certificate, there will not be an exemption and the standard process will be followed. Note: Any item which is subject to CE regulation but do not have CE signs will not be allowed for importation.

European Union (EU) refers to industrial goods in free circulation within the European Union qualifying for preferential treatment.

The proof that goods are in free circulation within the EU is the form ATR. The form ATR must accompany the shipment and be stamped by customs. The form will be provided by documentary evidence issued at the exporters request by the customs authorities of a Member State.

The form ATR is valid for unlimited value.

EUR1 and EUR-MED (Invoice Declaration)

EUR MED- Refers to goods of European Union origin qualifying for preferential treatment (agricultural goods, coal and steel products) or goods of origin of other countries or territories (for example, EFTA, countries or territories of the Euro-Mediterranean Association Agreement) having a bilateral preferential agreement with Turkey. The proof of origin must accompany the shipment. Origin can be proven by supplying one of the following: Form Movement Certificate EUR1 or Movement Certificate EUR-MED- Valid for unlimited value. Declaration of origin on invoice (so called Invoice Declaration or Invoice Declaration EUR-MED) - Valid up to 6,000 Euro (without freight charges) or fixed equivalent in local currency. Invoice Declaration or Invoice Declaration EUR-MED with approved exporter number, valid for unlimited value. This proof must accompany the shipment.

Requirements for EUR1: Must be issued by the customs office of the exporting country or territory on application by the exporter or, under the exporter's responsibility, by his authorized representative. Requirements for Invoice Declarations or Invoice Declarations EUR-MED (valid up to 6000 Euro or equivalent in local currency): Please see the following website to view the Invoice Declaration Statements in the respective protocols:
http://ec.europa.eu/taxation_customs/customs/customs_duties/rules_origin/preferential/article_779_en.htm

MSDS-NON DG

Goods under IATA Special Provisions A67 require a MSDS (Material Safety Data Sheet).

It is not required for all, however shipments can be held by local authority in United Arab Emirates after screening due to lack of MSDS (Material Safety Data Sheet) or NON DG (Dangerous Goods) declaration letter from the shipper resulting to misconnections and impacting end-to-end service.

It would be advisable for all shipments originating, transiting and terminating for UAE to have MSDS or NON DG declaration from shipper enclosed in the shipment and copies to be uploaded in IDIS.

No Information found on this topic for the selected country or territory.

Clearance Comments

For customs clearance issues, the receiver needs to give a Power of Attorney (POA) approved by a notary and a valid tax number. This POA is given only once and is valid until expiration date mentioned by the customer (up to 5 years). Whatever the billing term is, without a POA from the consignee, it is not possible to submit any clearance declaration to customs.

Individuals can only import goods for their personal use and are not allowed to import goods for commercial purposes. The consignee may also request clearance by an alternate broker. If the consignee requests clearance by an alternate broker, the system is keyed with POD when the paperwork (clearance documents ) are delivered or picked up. After the paperwork delivery, UPS liability is over. Even if a shipment is custom cleared by an alternate broker or the consignee, UPS still delivers the shipment to the consignee address without any charges after final customs clearance.

Important Notice: The shipments need to be customs cleared or returned within 20 days after the arrival or they are seized by customs. After customs seizure, UPS liability is over. It is not allowed to import used, second hand goods without permission from the Undersecretary of Customs.

Customs Clearance Process

Customs seizes shipments not cleared or returned to the shipper within 20 days.

The consignee must sign and pay for all dutiable shipments, and a contact telephone number is required for all shipments.In order to do customs clearance UPS needs POA (power of attorney) from the importer. The consignee may also request clearance by alternate broker or may do customs clearance on their own. Even if the clearance is done by an alternate broker or the consignee, UPS delivers the shipment to the consignee address without any charges after final customs clearance.

Duty and Taxes

Please note that not only the value(s) of the commodity/commodities have to be considered when calculating duty and tax, but also the freight charge and other fees.

Formal Clearance

As per customs regulations, it is mandatory to declare the information below for all formal entries.

8 Digit HS Code ( harmonized system code )

If the consignee is a registered company, their tax number.

If the consignee is a private individual , their Turkish ID number.

On manual waybills and ones generated by UPS online tools, the tax number can be written Receivers VAT No/Identification No For Customs Purposes and the HS code can be written in Description of Goods on the waybill and the Tariff Code part on the invoice.

Payment by Credit Card

Credit card payments are accepted upon delivery for freight charges only to this destination. Contact UPS or the UPS service partner in the destination country or territory to determine which credit cards are accepted.

Restrictions may apply for freight collect shipments from the origin country or territory. Contact UPS or the UPS service partner in the origin country or territory prior to shipping.

Post Office Boxes

UPS cannot deliver to a P.O. Box address. All packages require a consignee's contact name and complete street address including apartment, suite or unit number if applicable. The consignee's telephone number should be provided if known.

Private shipments

Individuals, who have been abroad and have entrance stamps on their passports 1 month before or 1 month later than the arrival of the shipments ,are allowed to import their personal goods. The goods must not have any commercial value and must be used goods for personal use. The consignees original passport will be needed so the consignee needs to come to the customs office in Istanbul Ataturk Airport with his/her passport. Afterwards, the carrier can continue with the clearance process and deliver the shipment to the consignee's address. There will be stamps,storage and handling charges. This service is not offered by UPS.

Individuals are allowed to import goods (the value must be less than 75 Euros) exempt from duty/tax five times in a year. After five times, no matter the value of the goods, all goods will be held by Customs for formal entry and standard clearance process will be applied.

Shipments addressed to private individuals up to a limit of 30kgs/1500 EUR and samples can be cleared by UPS with indirect representation. Fixed duty ( 18% duty for shipments from EU countries and 20% for shipments sent from non EU counties will apply. Excise tax of 20% for goods mentioned in list no 4. Shipments sent from companies to individuals cannot be handled as personal effects and cleared with the receivers passport.

Routing

Shipments addressed to Northern Cyprus

Northern Cyprus is served from the Mersin delivery center in Turkey. Transit time is +2 or +3 days after arrival in Mersin and it is not a guaranteed service area.

Non-dutiable shipments will be delivered directly to the consignee's address.

If a formal entry is required, the shipment will be sent from Istanbul customs office to Ercan Airport customs office in bonded transfer to be cleared by the consignee or by the assigned broker.

No RTS is available from Northern Cyprus after bonded transfer or delivery.

UPS does not offer brokerage service in Northern Cyprus.

Service is provided to and from every address in the country or territory.

UPS cannot deliver to a P.O. Box address. All packages require a consignee's contact name and complete street address including apartment, suite or unit number if applicable. The consignee's telephone number should be provided if known.

Rest Days:

Saturday, Sunday, and official holidays.

GMT:

Spring +0200/ Fall +0200

Language:

Turkish

Currency:

Turkish New Lira(TRY)

Shipping Charges

• Shipping charges can be billed to the shipper, receiver or a third party.
• When billing the receiver, either the shipper or receiver's account number is required.
• When billing to a third party, the third party's name, country or territory and account number are required.

Duties and Taxes

• Duties and taxes can be billed to the shipper, receiver or a third party.
• When billing a third party, the third party's name, country or territory and account number are required.
• If the duties and taxes are billed to an account outside of the destination country or territory, a "Duty and Tax Forwarding" surcharge will be applied.

Third-Party Billing

• Please note the following third party billing exceptions:
  • Shipments to and from the same country or territory (domestic shipments) cannot be billed to third party payors in other countries or territories. For example, shipments from Mexico to Mexico or Canada to Canada cannot be billed to a third party payor in the U.S. This rule does not apply to UPS domestic services in European Union countries or territories. For example, shipments from Germany to Germany can be billed to a third party payor in the U.S. (as long as the payor is a business and has a VAT or Tax/EIN ID on file with UPS).

Payment Methods

• When paying by credit card, check, or cash, only the shipper can be billed the shipping charges

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

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

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

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.

Drugs (also see Medicine)

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.

Event Tickets

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

Food shipments require permission from the Ministry of Agriculture for both commercial and private importers.

Intercompany Data on CD-Rom/Disk

Require an invoice for the intercompany data with the value for customs purposes only.

Labels

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.

Medical Items

Shipments of medical items require written permission from the Turkish Ministry of Health. Properly cleared shipments will be exempt from duty and taxes.

Medicine (also see Drugs)

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.

Pharmaceuticals

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.

Telephone Equipment

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).

Televisions

Permission must be obtained from the relevant ministry prior to importation.

Textiles

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"

Used goods

It is not allowed to import any used, second hand goods without permission from the Undersecretary of Customs.

USB Sticks

Data shipments require an invoice with the character of the USB stick (storing intercompany data) and the value of the USB Stick.

Video Cassette Recorders (VCRs)

A Maintenance and Repair Certificate issued by the Ministry is required from the consignee prior to importation.

Vitamins

Require permission from the Ministry of Health or the Ministry of Agriculture for both commercial and private importers.

Invoice

Non-document shipments to Turkey must include 1 original invoice for import clearance and 2 copies of an invoice.

Shipments of documents do not require an invoice.

The consignee's telephone number, mobile number and email address if available, should appear on the invoice.

Paperless Invoice - Exports

UPS Paperless Invoice is available for small package exports from this country or territory.

Paperless Invoice - Imports

UPS Paperless Invoice is accepted by Customs for small package imports into this country or territory.

The destination country or territory considers the following items document shipments. If criteria are listed, the shipment must meet the criteria to be considered a document shipment.

Airline Tickets

Validated airline tickets only.

Annual Reports

For shareholders or inter-company use only.

Bids

Blueprints

Only blueprints of no commercial value for a bid invitation. (For example, architectural plans to obtain a contract or for intercompany use).

Brochures

Non-commercial brochures or brochures for inter-company use only.

Business Cards

Document limit: 1 to 15 business cards

Checks

Personalized checks only

Credit Cards

Personalized credit cards to card owner only

Diplomas

Drivers License

Examination Papers

Greeting Cards, Invitations

Documents: personalized
Non-documents: not personalized; requires invoice

Manuals (Technical)

The number must be proportional to the purpose

Newsletters (Company)

Document: Inter-company shipments for inter-company use with no commercial value
Non-document: Shipments from a publisher or printing company

Newspapers

Non-commercial purposes only

Passports

Passports/IDs etc. are classified as documents-should not contain more than 1 per shipment.

Stationery

Personalized stationery (only paper) with no commercial value. The quantity must be proportional to the non-commercial use.

Traveler's Checks

Must be personalized to be considered documents.

Visa Applications

UPS can recommend which forms you need based on a few simple criteria. Forms can be completed online or printed. See which forms you need.

In addition to the prohibited commodities listed here, it is prohibited to ship the following commodities to Turkey.

Alcoholic Beverages

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

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).

Artwork

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.

Electronic Cigarette

Electronics Cigarettes are prohibited by the Ministry of Health to be imported into Turkey.

Knives

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.

Mobile Telephones

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.

Personal Effects

Personal effects cannot be shipped between these countries or territories.

Tobacco Products

All tobacco products are prohibited. No exemptions for gifts or private shipments.

Saturday Delivery Available: No

Always check Calculate Time and Cost for details of service availability and guarantee information within a country or territory. All Service Levels may not be available to or from every address within a country or territory.

Canada to Turkey

• UPS Express

• UPS Worldwide Expedited

• UPS Worldwide Express Plus

• UPS Worldwide Express Saver

• UPS WorldWide Express Freight

Repaired Goods

Goods sent from Turkey for repair need a special export declaration which is submitted to Customs during the export. If this is not submitted, the goods can not be cleared as a re-importation after repair.

If the goods have been declared to customs during export, and being returned back to Turkey as repaired goods (must be the same product), a formal entry will be required. The consignee will be allowed to import the goods without paying tax. If any cost for repair is declared on the invoice, the consignee will pay tax for the repair cost only. Other applicable fees on formal entries will still be applied.

Samples

UPS Turkey as an operator is allowed to declare samples and non-commercial private shipments up to a limit of 22kg/1500.00 EUR.

Any commercial shipments or shipments exceeding these limits need to be cleared by a customs broker ; customer can choose our appointed broker.

For more information please see clearance information.

Shipments to Yachts/Ships

Shipments addressed to yachts or ships in transit are exempt from duty and VAT but are cleared at the local customs point, not in Istanbul.

A deposit equal to the duty and VAT is paid to customs by UPS until the clearance at the local customs point is completed.

The consignee still pays a brokerage service fee of US$88.00 (18% VAT is included), stamps fee and official documents of US$30.00 and a storage fee in customs bonded warehouse based on the value, weight and the time the shipment is stored in customs bonded warehouse.

There may be some destinations in which UPS is unable to transfer the shipment to the final local customs. UPS will instead transfer the shipment to the nearest airport customs.

Please contact UPS for more details.

Solid Wood Packing Material

New requirements have been implemented for small package shipments and are based on the International Standards for Phytosanitary Measures (ISPM) 15, which is entitled "Guidelines for Regulating Wood Packaging Material in International Trade". ISPM 15 was adopted internationally in 2002, and is gradually being introduced by countries or territories worldwide. Wood or wood products covered by ISPM 15 include items such as packing cases, boxes, crates, drums or similar packing, pallets, box pallets and other load boards, pallet collars and skids, but exclude such processed woods as orientated strand board, particle board, plywood or veneer, created using glue, heat and pressure or a combinations thereof, and, raw wood which is 6mm or less thick. It is recommended that if a question arises on this issue, please check with the authority that issues the Phytosanitary certificates in your count

Import value limits to Turkey

Deminimis Value

Private Shipments

Only exceptions are letters ,documents and books sent to private individuals for personal use up to 150.00 EUR

Maximum weight:

70 kg (150 lbs.) per package

Maximum length:

274.00 cm (107.9 in.)  per package

Maximum dimensions:

400.00 cm (157.5 in.)  per package

Length and girth combined

Convert metric quantity for weight, length, and area.