Exports
How to Start an Export Business in Türkiye: A 2026 Step-by-Step Guide
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
To start an export business in Türkiye, you need a tax number, registration with the exporters’ association for your sector, the right documents for your target market and, above all, a buyer. The answer is far more concrete than most entrepreneurs expect: the dozens of questions about companies, tax, buyers and customs paperwork come down to a few critical steps.
Where manufacturers across Türkiye should start
Manufacturers across Türkiye, from farm producers to machinery and furniture makers, want to sell abroad but get lost in the bureaucratic maze. Taken in the right order, though, the process is very manageable.
Do you need to set up a company?
No. You do not need to be a legal entity to export. A tax number from the tax office, issued against your Turkish ID number, is legally enough to trade. As you grow, though, a company pays off: exports made through a legal entity carry the right to a VAT refund, and a corporate profile makes it easier to win the trust of foreign buyers.
Registering with an exporters’ association
Registering with the exporters’ association for your product’s sector is a legal requirement. If you export farm products, for example, you join the relevant agricultural products exporters’ association; for textiles, the textile and raw materials exporters’ association. Registration is usually quick and inexpensive.
Key steps in the export process
The table below sets out the stages of preparing a first export and who handles each one:
| Step | What to do | Who handles it |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Getting a tax number | Tax office |
| 2 | Registering with an exporters’ association | The relevant sector association |
| 3 | Hiring an accountant | Certified public accountant (SMMM) |
| 4 | Authorising a customs broker | Authorised customs broker |
| 5 | Target market and buyer research | Exporter or consultant |
| 6 | Setting price, delivery and payment terms | Exporter and buyer |
| 7 | Identifying country-specific document requirements | Importer or customs broker |
| 8 | Shipping the goods and collecting payment | Exporter and logistics company |
Customs documents and country-specific requirements
Every country’s customs rules are different. If you export farm products such as fresh mushrooms to the European Union, you may be asked for extra certificates, such as a radiation level certificate. Non-food products may need a CE mark, chemicals a safety data sheet and textiles a fibre composition label. The most reliable way to find out is to ask the buyer, or a customs broker in the buyer’s country, directly.
For the standard international rules used in trade disputes, see the International Chamber of Commerce (ICC) Incoterms rules. Your choice of delivery term (FOB, CIF, DAP and so on) directly affects both cost and who is responsible for what.
Payment methods and risk management
Payment security is critical on your first export. With a new buyer, a letter of credit or payment in advance is the safest option. As trust builds, you can move to more flexible methods such as documents against payment or open account. Putting the payment terms in writing in the contract heads off disputes from the start.
Starting an export business: finding the right buyer
For many companies that finish the technical groundwork, the real challenge is reaching the right buyer. Trade fairs, B2B platforms and sector intermediaries are the traditional routes, but without systematic market research they can waste a lot of time and money. Using data to pinpoint which country and which buyer profile has real demand cuts the cost of trial and error sharply.
This is where professional support speeds things up. Our Export and Business Development service brings target market analysis, buyer matching and export process management together in one plan.
Frequently asked questions
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Do I need to set up a company to export?No. You can export as an individual by getting a tax number and registering with the relevant…
No. You can export as an individual by getting a tax number and registering with the relevant exporters’ association. For larger volumes, though, a company gives you an edge on VAT refunds and corporate credibility.
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What documents do you need to export?A commercial invoice, packing list, certificate of origin and bill of lading are needed for…
A commercial invoice, packing list, certificate of origin and bill of lading are needed for almost every export. Depending on the product and the target country, you may also need a phytosanitary certificate, an analysis report or a CE certificate.
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How do I find buyers abroad?Trade fairs, LinkedIn, sector B2B platforms (Alibaba, Europages and so on) and trade attachés…
Trade fairs, LinkedIn, sector B2B platforms (Alibaba, Europages and so on) and trade attachés are useful channels to start with, but data-driven buyer research gives far more targeted results. Export consulting firms can run that research systematically.
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Does my responsibility end once the goods are shipped?It depends entirely on the delivery term (Incoterms) you agree.
It depends entirely on the delivery term (Incoterms) you agree. Under FOB, for example, responsibility passes to the buyer once the goods are loaded on board; under DDP, the seller is responsible for the whole process, including customs and duties. Your contract must state the delivery term clearly.
From our base in Ankara, FIX runs every stage of export preparation: registrations, market research and buyer matching. If you want to put your first export, or your existing export system, on firmer ground, talk to our team.