Logistics Glossary
Explanations of key terms used in international cargo shipping, customs procedures, and logistics.
A
A.TR Certificate
A movement certificate that enables duty-free circulation of industrial products between Turkey and the EU under the Customs Union.
The A.TR certificate is obtained by the exporting company from the chamber of commerce and endorsed by customs authorities. Industrial products sent to EU countries with this certificate are exempt from customs duties. Agricultural products are outside the A.TR scope; the EUR.1 certificate is used for them.
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Bill of Lading
A transport document in sea freight that certifies receipt of goods and represents ownership rights over the cargo.
A bill of lading serves three functions simultaneously: transport contract, receipt of delivery, and document of title. Ownership of goods can change hands through endorsement of a negotiable bill of lading. The road transport equivalent of a bill of lading is the CMR document.
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A licensed storage facility where goods are temporarily stored under customs supervision.
Goods held in bonded warehouses can be kept for a set period without paying customs duties. There are two types: general and private bonded warehouses. Goods can be stored in bonded warehouses for up to 3 years.
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CE Marking
A conformity mark indicating that a product meets the EU's essential health, safety, and environmental protection requirements.
CE marking is mandatory for many product categories sold in the EU market (electrical devices, toys, machinery). The manufacturer declares compliance with relevant EU directives and affixes the CE mark. Products without CE marking may be rejected at EU customs.
View related serviceCertificate of Origin
A chamber of commerce-certified document officially stating the country where goods were produced or manufactured.
A certificate of origin is used in preferential tariff applications and import quotas. The exporting company requests the certificate from its affiliated chamber of commerce. It is used as proof of origin when an A.TR or EUR.1 certificate cannot be issued.
View related serviceCIF (Cost, Insurance and Freight)
An international trade term where the seller covers the cost, insurance, and freight charges of the goods.
Under CIF delivery, the seller insures and ships the goods to the destination port. Customs duty is calculated based on the CIF value. This term is generally used in sea freight; for road transport, the CIP term is preferred.
View related serviceCMR
The convention and transport document governing international road freight contracts.
The CMR document certifies that the carrier has received the goods and the transport conditions. Under the CMR convention, carrier liability is limited to 8.33 SDR per kilogram. Turkey and all EU countries are parties to the CMR convention.
View related serviceContainer
A standard-sized metal unit enabling the safe transport of goods in international shipping.
The most common container sizes are 20 feet (TEU, 33 m3) and 40 feet (FEU, 67 m3). Containers can be transported intermodally by sea, rail, and road. In partial cargo, loads from multiple shippers are consolidated in a single container.
View related serviceCustoms Broker
A licensed professional specialized in customs legislation who conducts customs procedures on behalf of clients.
Customs brokers prepare customs declarations, perform tax calculations, and ensure the clearance of goods through customs. Using a customs broker is mandatory in Turkey for exports exceeding 150,000 TRY. Kolay Parsiyel works with licensed customs brokers.
View related serviceCustoms Declaration
The legal document through which goods being imported or exported are officially reported to the customs authority.
A customs declaration contains all information about the type, value, quantity, origin, and customs regime of the goods. In Turkey, declarations are filed electronically through the BILGE system. Goods are released when the declaration information matches the physical inspection results.
View related serviceCustoms Union
The agreement in force since 1996 between Turkey and the EU that eliminates customs duties on industrial products.
Under the Customs Union, industrial products circulate duty-free between Turkey and the EU. Turkey also adopts the common customs tariff that the EU applies to third countries. Agricultural products, coal, and steel are outside the Customs Union scope.
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Demurrage
An additional fee charged when a container or vehicle is held beyond the contractually agreed period.
Daily demurrage fees accrue for cargo delayed at customs or containers not unloaded on time. Demurrage charges range from 50 to 200 EUR per day depending on the delay period and container type. Complete documentation eliminates the risk of demurrage.
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EORI Number
A unique customs registration and identification number required for all economic operators trading with the EU.
An EORI number is mandatory for every company and individual importing to or exporting from the EU. Application is made free of charge through the customs authority of any EU country. The process is typically completed within 3-5 business days and is valid across all EU countries.
View related serviceEUR.1 Certificate
A proof of origin document that enables preferential customs tariffs under free trade agreements.
The EUR.1 certificate is used for exports to countries with which Turkey has free trade agreements. Agricultural products and certain processed foods benefit from reduced or zero customs duties with this certificate. It is obtained from chambers of commerce and endorsed by customs authorities.
View related serviceF
Fiscal Representative
A local representative authorized by companies not established in an EU country to fulfill their VAT obligations.
A fiscal representative handles VAT registration, files VAT returns, and manages communication with tax authorities on behalf of the foreign company. Appointing a fiscal representative is mandatory for non-EU companies in countries such as Germany, the Netherlands, and France. Kolay Parsiyel offers fiscal representation services.
View related serviceFOB (Free on Board)
A trade term where the seller's responsibility ends when the goods are loaded onto the vessel at the port of shipment.
Under FOB delivery, all costs and risks up to the loading port are borne by the seller, and after loading by the buyer. The customs value is calculated using the FOB value. In road transport, FCA (Free Carrier) is the equivalent of FOB.
View related serviceFree Zone
A geographical area considered outside the country's customs borders that provides special tax advantages.
Production, storage, and trade activities can be carried out in free zones exempt from customs duties and VAT. There are 18 active free zones in Turkey. Free zones provide cost advantages for export-oriented manufacturing companies.
View related serviceFTL (Full Truckload)
A transport model where the entire vehicle is dedicated to a single shipper.
In FTL, the vehicle carries only one customer's cargo, resulting in shorter transit times. For shipments over 10 pallets or 15 cubic meters, FTL can offer a better price per cubic meter than partial cargo. It is preferred for urgent and high-volume shipments.
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Incoterms
Standard trade rules that determine the division of responsibilities, costs, and risks between buyer and seller in international trade.
Incoterms are set by the International Chamber of Commerce (ICC) and the 2020 version is currently in effect. They define 11 delivery terms including EXW, FOB, CIF, and DDP. Choosing the correct Incoterms directly affects transport costs and customs obligations.
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LTL (Less Than Truckload)
A partial cargo model where loads that do not fill a full vehicle are combined with other shipments for transport.
In LTL shipping, loads from multiple shippers are consolidated in the same vehicle. Shippers only pay for the space or weight they use. This model is the most cost-effective solution for shipments between 1 and 10 pallets.
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m3 (Cubic Meter)
The standard unit of volume measurement used in cargo shipping.
A cubic meter equals the volume of a cube 1 meter wide, 1 meter long, and 1 meter high. In partial cargo, pricing is typically calculated per cubic meter. A standard box (60x50x50 cm) is approximately 0.15 m3, and a 3-seater sofa is approximately 1.2 m3.
View related serviceMultimodal Transport
Transporting goods under a single contract using two or more modes of transport such as road, sea, rail, or air.
In multimodal transport, the entire process is managed by a single transport operator. For shipments from Turkey to Europe, a combination of road and sea transport is commonly used. A single contract simplifies responsibility and tracking.
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Pallet
A standard wooden or plastic platform used for transporting loads with a forklift.
The standard Euro pallet size is 80x120 cm, occupying approximately 0.96 m3 and capable of carrying up to 1,500 kg. In partial cargo, pricing is often calculated per pallet position. Palletizing improves cargo safety during transport and reduces loading/unloading time.
View related servicePartial Cargo
Consolidating loads from multiple shippers for transport in a single vehicle.
The partial cargo (LTL) system reduces transport costs by consolidating loads from shippers who cannot fill a full vehicle with other loads on the same route. Shippers only pay for the space they use. This model saves 40-60% compared to full truckload.
View related serviceT
TIR Carnet
A document that enables goods to pass through transit countries without customs inspection in international road transport.
The TIR system is a transit regime valid in 77 countries under United Nations oversight. A vehicle sealed with a TIR carnet passes through transit countries without customs inspection. This system significantly reduces transit times in international transport.
View related serviceTransit Passage
The transport of goods from one customs territory to another without paying duties and under customs supervision.
Two transit regimes apply in the EU: T1 (non-EU goods) and T2 (EU-origin goods). Cargo traveling from Turkey to Germany passes through intermediate countries like Bulgaria using a transit passage document. Transit passage eliminates the need for customs procedures in intermediate countries.
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VAT Registration
The registration of foreign companies conducting commercial activities in an EU country as value-added tax payers.
Companies selling above a certain amount to the EU must register for VAT in the relevant country. VAT threshold values differ by country; in Germany, registration is mandatory for annual sales above 10,000 EUR. Kolay Parsiyel manages the VAT registration process through its fiscal representation service.
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