Exports
Customs Declaration in Türkiye: A 6-Step Preparation Guide for Exporters
Written by Enes Ünal, Export and Business Development Lead
Reviewed by Sertaç Öztürkcan, Co-Founder
- Related service Export Consulting
- The basics What is exporting?
Contents5 sections
A customs declaration is the official document an exporter must submit to the customs administration in Türkiye, stating the type, quantity and value of the goods and the identity of the parties. A correctly prepared declaration speeds up customs approval, keeps the risk of extra costs low and is the legal basis for the export VAT exemption.
What is a customs declaration in Türkiye?
Under Türkiye’s Customs Regulation, every company exporting goods must file its declaration electronically, either through an authorised customs broker or directly in the BİLGE system. Paper declarations are now accepted only in exceptional cases, such as a system failure or a special regime.
The declaration must include:
- Names, addresses and tax/EORI numbers of the exporter and the importer
- The HS code of the goods (GTİP, Customs Tariff Statistical Position)
- Type of goods, gross and net weight, and quantity
- Invoice value and currency
- Country of origin and country of destination
- Delivery terms (Incoterms) and mode of transport
A wrong HS code is the most common, and most expensive, declaration error exporters make. It can lead straight to additional tax assessments, goods held at customs and a cancelled export permit, so always back the classification with a technical review.
Declaration types: which one for which regime?
| Declaration type | When it is used | What to watch |
|---|---|---|
| Export declaration | Goods in free circulation leaving Türkiye | Filed electronically in BİLGE |
| Inward processing declaration | Exporting products made with imported raw materials | Used with an Inward Processing Regime (DİR) authorisation |
| Temporary export declaration | Goods taken to trade fairs or sent for repair | A commitment to bring the goods back is mandatory |
| Transit declaration | Goods passing through a third country | A T1/T2 form or TIR carnet may be needed |
How to file a customs declaration in 6 steps
A complete declaration saves both time and money. This is the standard sequence for an export shipment:
- Prepare the commercial invoice and packing list. The invoice value and the declared value must not conflict; any inconsistency raises the risk of a document check.
- Verify the HS code. Check it against both the Republic of Türkiye Ministry of Trade’s Customs Tariff Schedule and the World Customs Organization’s HS Nomenclature.
- Get the origin document. If the target market grants preferential tariffs, you may need a EUR.1, Form A or REX statement.
- Open the record in BİLGE. Your authorised customs broker takes the registration number and enters the declaration.
- Enter the route and shipment details. The transport section is completed from the bill of lading, CMR or air waybill.
- Track customs approval. The green channel means direct release, yellow a document check and red a physical inspection.
The closed declaration issued after approval is the official basis for the export VAT exemption. You must produce it in tax audits and keep it for the legal retention period of 5 years.
Common mistakes and what they cost
These are the declaration mistakes exporters make most often, and the risks that follow:
- Invoice value and declared value do not match: inconsistent documents invite a customs check
- The wrong Incoterms: freight and insurance included or left out in error, distorting the customs value
- A missing or incorrect origin document: the tariff advantage in the destination country is lost entirely
- Dangerous goods classification overlooked: the shipment is blocked and further inspection follows
- A wrong HS code: additional tax assessments and a cancelled export permit
Most of these mistakes can be avoided by working with an experienced export consulting team from the start. FIX runs customs procedures, document management and shipment approval tracking under one roof.
The Ministry of Trade’s current customs legislation and tariff schedules are available at ticaret.gov.tr.
Contact our team to review your process. We work with you at every step, from preparing the declaration to shipment approval.
Frequently asked questions
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Who can fill in a customs declaration?Only the exporting company, or a customs broker it has authorised, can file the declaration.
Only the exporting company, or a customs broker it has authorised, can file the declaration. Customs brokerage is a licensed profession in Türkiye, and declarations filed by unauthorised people are not legal.
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What is the difference between electronic and paper declarations?In Türkiye, export declarations are filed electronically in the BİLGE system.
In Türkiye, export declarations are filed electronically in the BİLGE system. Paper declarations are accepted only in exceptional cases, such as a system failure or special customs regimes.
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Why does the HS code matter so much?The HS code decides which taxes apply to the goods, which restrictions they face and which…
The HS code decides which taxes apply to the goods, which restrictions they face and which origin document they need. A wrong code can trigger additional tax assessments and the cancellation of the export permit.
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What is a closed declaration used for?Issued once customs grant exit approval, the closed declaration is the official basis for the…
Issued once customs grant exit approval, the closed declaration is the official basis for the export VAT exemption. You must produce it in tax audits, and the legal retention period is 5 years.
Based in Ankara, FIX works with you at every stage, from preparing the customs declaration to running the whole export operation. Contact our team for a free review of your current export file.