Since Exapro is a global online platform for trading used machinery, on our website we have machines and customers from all around the world. Majority of our deals is successfully closed within European countries. However, the amount of buyers and sellers from Middle East, Asia and the USA is constantly increasing. Dealing with international trade, it is crucial to understand customs requirements, taxation and export/import rules. This article is specifically dedicated to the topic of how to import machine from Turkey.
Import requirements
Up till 1996 Turkish government required every importer to provide an import authorization from the bank together with import license. This rule was abolished in 1996, and now all that’s needed to import machine from Turkey is a tax number. Industrial machines belong to the category of non-problematic goods which don’t imply any restrictions. Another important milestone in import government policy took place in December 2011, when a new import regime was established. Before 2011, a special certificate called “Control Certificate” was required for
food and non-food imported goods. Since the change in 2011, such import license is only required for a number of products/items such as animals or animal products, plants, seeds etc. Fortunately, used machinery doesn’t come under any of these restrictions.
Importing machine from Turkey
There are no restrictions or difficulties in exporting second hand machines abroad from Turkey. The only procedure that machine-makers have to do in this regard is the need to be a member of the chambers of commerce and the association of exporters.
Turkish documentation procedures require a commercial invoice and a bill of lading or airway bill to accompany all commercial shipments. Depending on the type of product, importers may be required to submit a Certificate of Origin. Import licenses and phytosanitary certificates are necessary for food and agricultural commodity imports.
The cost of membership to the exporters’ association is TRY 200 (approx. 40 EUR) as an entrance fee and annual membership fee is not collected from the new member companies. If the company is a member of the Association of Exporters, they can activate their membership by paying the membership fee of 100 TL.
And then some basic commercial papers like invoice, ATR needs to be submitted to customs office to be able to complete customs procedures. You can either do it yourself or you can get service from customs consultant companies which complete this procedure instead of you.
Commercial invoice
Commercial invoice needed to import machine from Turkey should be submitted in three copies including the original. Original invoice must contain the following information:
- description of imported goods
- quantity
- cost per unit
- shipment method
- country of origin
Customers experience buying machines from Turkey
Here you can see feedback from our customers who have already bought machines from Turkey and imported them to Europe.
From Turkey to Romania
As a result of the EU-Turkey cooperation agreement, no custom duties are payable , but the certificate ATR 1 issued by the Turkish exporter must be presented in custom office. There are some additional costs – VAT (recoverable), custom broker ( about 100 EUR/import), but it is not a very big problem. In general, it is not much more complicated to import from Turkey than from the EU, in terms of the procedure.
From Turkey to Finland
Import was as simple as it was from Europe. There is no permission needed. Procedure costs were marginal. And all we needed to pay was procedure costs + VAT (Finnish).
From Turkey to Switzerland
When it comes to importing machines to Switzerland, there is no difference whether you buy from Turkey or EU.
Based on our clients feedback, it is obvious that buying machines from Turkish partners is as simple as machinery purchase in Europe. If you still hesitate whether to go for a machine from Turkey, we can assure a smooth deal.
