Frequently Asked Questions About Customs Procedures

A customs declaration is the official document required to notify the customs authority about goods being imported or exported. A customs declaration must be filed for every commercial shipment from Turkey to Europe. Exemption limits for personal belongings vary by country.

An A.TR movement certificate provides customs duty exemption for industrial products in free circulation under the Turkey-EU Customs Union. The exporting company obtains the A.TR certificate from the chamber of commerce and it is endorsed by customs authorities. Industrial products sent to the EU with this certificate are exempt from customs duties.

VAT rates in EU countries range from 17% to 27% depending on the country. Germany applies 19%, France 20%, and the Netherlands 21%. VAT is calculated on the sum of the customs value and customs duty. For commercial shipments, the buyer pays VAT in the destination country.

For industrial products with an A.TR certificate, the EU entry duty is 0%. For products without an A.TR certificate, the duty rate ranges from 2% to 15% depending on the product category. For agricultural products, the EUR.1 certificate is used and duty rates are determined separately.

Explosives, flammable and radioactive materials, narcotics, weapons, and ammunition are strictly prohibited. Animal and plant inspections apply to food products. Special permits are required for certain chemicals, medical devices, and electronic waste.

The EUR.1 movement certificate enables preferential customs tariffs for exports to countries with which Turkey has a free trade agreement. Agricultural products and certain processed foods benefit from reduced or zero customs duties with the EUR.1 certificate. The certificate is obtained from chambers of commerce.

For a standard commercial shipment with complete documentation, processing at Turkish customs takes an average of 2-4 hours. Customs clearance at the destination country takes 1-2 business days. In case of missing documents or inspections, the process may extend to 3-5 business days.

In Turkey, using a customs broker is mandatory for commercial exports exceeding 150,000 TRY. Below this threshold it is not required, but professional assistance is recommended to prevent documentation errors. Kolay Parsiyel includes customs clearance as a standard part of all shipments.

EORI (Economic Operators Registration and Identification) is a unique registration number required for all companies importing to or exporting from the EU. The application is made free of charge through the customs authority of any EU country. The process typically takes 3-5 business days.

The Turkey-EU Customs Union covers industrial products and some processed agricultural goods. Industrial goods shipped with an A.TR certificate are exempt from customs duties. Raw agricultural products, coal, and steel products fall outside the Customs Union scope.

A customs exemption may apply for personal belongings being moved to Europe under a residence transfer. The items must have been owned for at least 6 months and you must have a residence permit in the destination country. Each country has different exemption conditions and application processes.

A commercial invoice is the fundamental document for the customs declaration and includes information such as the value, origin, and type of goods. Customs duty and VAT are calculated based on the invoice value. Incomplete or incorrect invoices can cause delays and additional inspections at customs.

A certificate of origin documents the country where the goods were produced and is used in preferential tariff applications. It is required when an A.TR or EUR.1 certificate cannot be issued. The certificate is obtained from the chamber of commerce affiliated with the exporter.

The T1 document enables goods to transit under customs control from one EU border crossing to another. Cargo traveling from Turkey to Germany passes through Bulgaria and other countries using the T1 document. This document eliminates the need for customs procedures in transit countries.

When issues arise during customs procedures, the first step is to contact your customs broker. For Kolay Parsiyel shipments, our team directly monitors the issue and manages the resolution process. In case of missing documents, the documents must be completed within 48 hours, otherwise demurrage charges may begin.