Information on the Customs Procedures

1 –ATA Carnet

ATA Carnet is the simplest procedure for the temporary importation of goods handcarried or arriving by cargo, without depositing any guarantee to the customs authorities. The match of goods arrived and the goods described in the general list of the carnet is checked by the customs officers or by the authorised government bodies. At least 1 full and clear set of pictures of the goods is required. Same check is applied during re-exportation. Maximum period allowed for foreign ATA Carnets in Turkish Customs territories is 6 months but generaly the re-exportation date is printed by the customs officer during the importations as less than 1 month. That is why it is very important that the handcarrying people who customs clear their own shipments must be very careful about the re-exportation date to see if it is enough for their requirements. Also to present a written undertaken is obligatory during the importation by ATA Carnet.

Some part or the whole of the goods travelling under ATA Carnet can be sold in Turkey but all the goods must be delivered to the Customs warehouse first.

2 –Temporary Import

The laws and regulation state that only Turkish companies can temporarily import goods into Turkey for testing, for market convey, for exhibitions. In order to realise temporary importation, Turkish importer has to deposit the full amount of duties and taxes to the customs authorities. After re-exportation of the temporarily imported goods back to its origin, the guarantee deposit is refunded within 2-3 days, max. in one week. Some part or all of the temporarily imported goods can be imported definately into Turkey, either by the importer or by a different Turkish company. In such cases, all the goods must be delivered back to the Customs warehouse first to split the sold and unsold parts and notify the Customs authorities about the new importer company or the companies. When the goods are in the Customs warehouse, the guarantee deposit is refunded to the original importer and the importation of the sold items are handled as seperate definite import cases where the importer has to pay for the duties and taxes during importation of these goods. At least 1 full and clear set of pictures of the goods is required.

3 –Definite Import

Again, as in the temporary import, only Turkish Companies can make definite import into Turkey. Definite imports of valuables are subject to mint analysis and the importers have to pay the duties and taxes during the import customs clearance which is not refundable. If the importer did not pay the value of the goods to the exporter until customs clearance has started, an additional tax of 3 % KKDF from the value of the invoice is charged by the government which is not refundable either. The 3 % KKDF amount is added on the CIF and taxable amount as well and then the duties and the taxes are calculated.

ATA Carnet Information Kiosk

ATA Carnet

ATA Carnets:

• May be used for unlimited exits from and entries into the Country.
• Are valid for one year.
• Are accepted in over 60 countries and territories.
• Eliminate payment of value-added taxes (VAT) and duties.
• Eliminate the posting of security normally required at the time of importation using a a TIB.
• Simplify customs procedures.
• Allow a temporary exporter to use a single document for all customs transactions.
• Are a method of making import arrangements in advance
• Allow you to budget at a predetermined cost.
• Eliminate the need to register goods (and create separate paperwork) with Country Customs at the time of departure.
• Smooth re-entry to the Country.
• Allow you to pre-pay in U.S. dollars and reduce the need to carry foreign currency for duties, deposits and taxes when traveling.
• Allow you to complete all customs paperwork in English, once.
• Minimize uncertainty and surprises at customs..

Merchandise Covered by ATA Carnets

ATA Carnets cover virtually all goods. That includes ordinary goods such as computers, tools, cameras and video equipment, industrial machinery, automobiles, gems and jewelry, and wearing apparel. It also includes extraordinary items, such as a Van Gogh self-portrait, Ringling Brothers tigers, Cessna jets, Paul McCartney's band instruments, World Cup class yachts, satellites, human skulls, and the New York Philharmonic orchestra.

Carnets do not cover consumable goods (food and agriculture products), disposable items, or postal traffic

Fees and Processing Time

Importation Into Turkey


1: Watches are subject to After-Sales Guarantee Certificate by Turkish Government for importation, not applied to temporary imports for exhibition.
2: Duties and taxes for gold jewellery is calculated after deducting the fine gold value, same with silver jewellery.
3: Duties and taxes for watches made of gold is calculated from the total CIF amount without deducting the fine gold value .
4: In order to get information about machinery, please contact your forwarding agent with the CIF value and Customs tariff number .
5: If ATR is accompanying the goods originating from E.U. Countries; goods are imported duty-free and only S.C. Tax & VAT is applied if any .
6: If EUR-1 is accompanying the goods originating from E.F.T.A. countries; goods are imported duty-free and only S.C. Tax & VAT is applied if any .

*S.C.TAX = Special Consumption(TAX)

Importation Into Turkey

Forwarders Operating in Turkey

SOLMAZ NAKLIYAT VE TIC.A.S.
Rihtim cad. Denizciler sok. Solmaz Is Merkezi Karakoy Istanbul
Phone : +90 212 2921324
Fax : +90.212. 2496818
Mrs. Didem Yeltekin
Mobile : +90.533 7796883
e-mail : didemy@solmaztransport.com
website :http://www.solmaz.com.tr

BRINK'S GÜVENLIK HIZMETLERI A.S.
Mahmut Sevket Pasa Mah. Sahinkaya sok. No: 32 Okmeydani - Sisli / IST
Tel: +90 212 250 6700 Ext:1307
Fax:+90 212 250 3373
Mr.Cuneyt Erbas
e-mail : Cuneyt.Erbas@brinksinc.com
website : http://www.brinksinc.com