Importing into Turkey without a local entity can quickly become complex, especially where BTK, TITCK, TAREKS or TSE steps are required. TFTIOR acts as your local Importer of Record, so your shipment clears with predictable timelines instead of open-ended storage and penalties.
Turkey operates its customs regime under Customs Law No. 4458 and processes declarations through the Tek Pencere (Single Window) system. Understanding the full tax and approval stack before shipment is the difference between a 24-hour clearance and a prolonged customs hold.
Turkey's landed cost for commercial imports comprises several stacking layers. Customs duty (gümrük vergisi) is determined by the 12-digit GTİP (Gümrük Tarife İstatistik Pozisyonu, Turkey's harmonised tariff code). Most IT and telecom hardware (including servers, switches and routers) attracts 0% customs duty under Turkey's IPA commitments, while consumer electronics and some industrial categories attract rates of 5–20%.
KDV (Katma Değer Vergisi, VAT) is applied at 20% on the CIF value plus applicable duties for the majority of commercial imports. Certain medical devices and basic goods qualify for reduced rates of 10% or 1%. KDV is collected at the border as part of the customs declaration and is recoverable as input tax by VAT-registered businesses in Turkey.
KKDF (Kaynak Kullanımını Destekleme Fonu) is a levy of typically 6% that applies to certain import transactions, particularly where payment terms exceed 90 days or where the financing structure meets the applicable criteria under KKDF regulations. We assess applicability during the pre-check and include it in the full landed cost projection.
ÖTV (Özel Tüketim Vergisi, Special Consumption Tax) applies to specific product categories including motor vehicles, petroleum products, tobacco and certain luxury electronics. Most enterprise IT and industrial equipment is ÖTV-exempt.
Turkey's approval framework is product-specific and regulator-specific. The principal bodies and their scope are:
Import declarations in Turkey are submitted via the Tek Pencere (Single Window) system, which consolidates filings across customs, TAREKS, BTK and other competent authorities into a single electronic workflow. The declaration uses the GTİP 12-digit tariff code; misclassification is one of the most frequent causes of additional inspections and duty reassessments.
For goods originating in the EU, an ATR Movement Certificate (under the Turkey–EU Customs Union) can eliminate customs duty on eligible industrial products. For goods from countries with which Turkey has a Free Trade Agreement, a EUR.1 Preference Certificate or supplier declaration may apply. TFTIOR verifies origin documentation as part of the pre-clearance review.
E-commerce and low-value postal shipments may be processed under an ETGB (Elektronik Ticaret Gümrük Beyannamesi) simplified declaration. Most commercial B2B hardware shipments use the standard import declaration (Serbest Dolaşıma Giriş Beyannamesi).
Servers & PCs: 20% KDV + 4% TRT Bandrol Tax + 1% Culture Fund
Switches & routers: 20% KDV
QSFP transceivers: 20% KDV + 5% customs duty
Cables: 20% KDV + 18.3% additional taxes
KDV (VAT): 20% on CIF + duty
ÖTV (Special Consumption Tax): 0% for enterprise IT/telecom
GTİP-dependent. Always confirm classification before shipping.
Air: Istanbul Airport (IST), Sabiha Gökçen (SAW)
Road: Halkalı Customs, Erenköy Customs
Sea (Marmara): Ambarlı Port
Standard commercial import (no approvals): 24–48 hours
BTK documentation required: add 3–7 business days pre-shipment
TAREKS inspection triggered: add 2–5 business days
TITCK review required: add 5–15 business days
Physical customs inspection: add 1–3 business days
*All timelines assume documentation is fully aligned before arrival.
Commercial invoice (CIF value, GTİP, country of origin)
Packing list
Bill of lading or air waybill
ATR or EUR.1 certificate (where applicable)
BTK type approval or IMEI declaration (telecom/wireless)
TAREKS denetim kodu (machinery/electrical)
TITCK registration confirmation (medical devices)
End-use certificate (dual-use goods)
We regularly unlock shipments that are stuck due to missing approvals, unclear classification or the absence of a responsible Turkish importer.
Imports into Turkey often slow down where a local approval or a responsible Turkish entity is required. We commonly see holds linked to BTK documentation for telecom equipment, TITCK checks for medical products, and added scrutiny for refurbished IT. For companies without a local entity, these steps create uncertainty and storage costs.
As your Importer of Record, TFTIOR takes legal responsibility for the import. We align documentation, manage approvals and interact directly with customs so the shipment can be released instead of sitting in bonded storage.
Telecom and IT hardware requiring BTK approval, especially wireless, SIM/IMEI-enabled or encryption-capable equipment.
Products overseen by TITCK that require registration or supporting technical files before import.
Pre-owned servers, networking devices and laptops are only allowed through a licensed structure, which we operate.
Machinery that falls under TAREKS verification or TSE conformity, where early classification avoids last-minute surprises.
Misalignment between commercial documents and customs expectations, leading to reassessment or physical inspection.
Customs require a registered importer in Turkey. Without one, the shipment simply cannot be released: we fill this gap as IOR.
You keep your commercial relationship with the end customer. We take care of the legal import, regulatory interactions and tax handling under our entity.
You do not need to open a company in Turkey to run projects or deliver equipment. TFTIOR steps in as the Importer of Record and manages all customs-facing responsibilities under our local entity.
We review HS codes, technical specs and use case to confirm whether BTK, TITCK, TAREKS or other approvals are triggered.
Documentation is filed under our name as IOR. We respond to customs queries and keep you updated on each milestone.
We coordinate delivery, storage or handover to local partners, project teams or data centers as required.
From enterprise IT and telecom infrastructure to medical devices and industrial machinery, we align each product type with the correct Turkish regulatory path.
Servers, firewalls, switches, wireless access points, satellite equipment and SIM/IMEI devices often require BTK documentation. Encryption functions should be confirmed early to avoid delays or additional review at the border.
Pre-owned enterprise devices (such as data center servers, networking hardware and laptops) are restricted unless they follow a licensed import pathway. TFTIOR is authorized to handle these shipments under a compliant framework.
Products overseen by the Turkish Medicines and Medical Devices Agency (TITCK) may require registration or specific supporting documents prior to import. We verify these requirements before you ship, so equipment does not sit idle in customs.
Certain machinery is subject to TAREKS verification or TSE assessment. Early HS code classification determines whether additional conformity checks apply and which documents must be included with the shipment.
Equipment with potential strategic or military application may require additional licensing. We help identify restrictions and secure approvals where relevant, before the goods leave origin.
Being physically based in Turkey means we can assist with engineering checks, staging, local data center coordination and final mile delivery, so gear arrives ready to deploy.
A simple, predictable flow from pre-check to release, designed so your team always knows the next step and expected timing.
IMEI registration support, BTK documentation handling and fast clarification cycles with customs, plus proximity to data centers and critical project sites.
For practical examples, see our latest write-ups: Turkey IOR Case Studies.
Whether it is a one-off lab installation or a multi-site telecom rollout, we align the IOR structure with your project timeline and risk profile.
A quick clarification of the most common concerns. For anything project-specific, you can always reach us directly.
TFTIOR provides Importer of Record services in multiple countries. Explore active coverage below or view the full overview page.
