Customs clearance in Turkey is handled electronically through the BİLGE system (Bilgisayarlı Gümrük Etkinlikleri) under the authority of the Ministry of Trade. Every shipment crossing a Turkish border must be declared by a licensed customs broker. KEY Forwarding's in-house team holds the necessary licences and manages both import and export filings from a single office.

How Turkish Customs Works

After a broker submits the declaration, BİLGE assigns the shipment to a customs channel: Green lane — automatic release; Yellow lane — document verification; Red lane — physical inspection. The correct GTİP (HS tariff code) determines the duty rate and any applicable restrictions. Duty = CIF value × tariff rate. Under the Turkey–EU Customs Union, most industrial goods from EU countries attract zero import duty.

Import Documents

Commercial invoice, packing list, transport document (CMR/B/L/AWB), certificate of origin, insurance policy, and any product-specific permits (CE, health certificate).

Export Documents

Commercial invoice, packing list, export declaration, A.TR circulation certificate or EUR.1 for EU shipments, transport document.

All Turkish Ports

We clear goods at Ambarlı, İzmir, Mersin by sea; Istanbul, Ankara, İzmir airports by air; and Kapıkule, Hamzabeyli by road.

Hazardous & Special Goods

ADR road transport, IMDG sea freight and IATA DGR air cargo declarations prepared by certified personnel.

Incorrect GTİP classification or missing documents lead to delays, storage costs and penalties. Our brokers verify documentation before arrival to minimise red-lane risk. For shipments that also require transport, our road, sea and air teams coordinate the full journey.