Exports
What Is Temporary Export and How Does It Work? 5 Steps from Türkiye
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
Temporary export is the shipment of goods abroad for a limited period, for example to a trade fair, for testing, for repair or for rental, with the goods brought back to Türkiye once that purpose is fulfilled. To keep the shipment free of customs duty, you must meet the declaration and security requirements.
When do companies in Türkiye use temporary export?
For manufacturers in Türkiye making machinery, textile machinery or electronic equipment, trade fairs abroad are one of the most direct routes into new markets. In these cases there is no final sale: the product comes back after the show. The same applies to equipment sent to an overseas customer for a demonstration, a machine part sent for repair or a tool shipped out for rental.
The main reasons for temporary export are:
- Taking part in international trade fairs and exhibitions
- Product demonstrations or testing abroad
- Sending goods for repair, maintenance or modification
- Rental or leasing arrangements
- Moving equipment for temporary use
The temporary export process in 5 steps
1. Planning and checking customs rules
Start by being clear about which goods you are sending, why and for how long. Check the customs rules of the destination country and the relevant regulations in Türkiye (Customs Law No. 4458 and its implementing regulations). If the HS code and value of the goods are not set correctly at this stage, serious delays can follow.
2. Preparing the documents
Temporary export uses a special-status declaration instead of the standard export declaration. For trade fairs and commercial events, the ATA Carnet issued by TOBB is widely used: an international customs document, valid in many countries, that greatly simplifies customs formalities.
3. Providing a security
Customs asks for a security to make sure the goods come back. It can be cash, a bank letter of guarantee or an insurance policy, and the amount depends on the customs value of the goods and how long they will be away.
4. Customs declaration and export clearance
The temporary export declaration must give a detailed description of the goods, their value, how long they will be away and the final purpose. An incomplete or wrong declaration can leave the goods held at customs or trigger extra tax assessments. Once the declaration is approved, the goods leave the country.
5. Bringing the goods back and closing the file
Once the purpose is fulfilled, the goods are re-imported into Türkiye within the set period. If you will miss the deadline, ask customs for an extension in advance; otherwise the security is forfeited and administrative sanctions may follow.
Temporary vs definitive export: the key differences
| Criterion | Temporary export | Definitive export |
|---|---|---|
| Return of the goods | Mandatory | Not applicable |
| Customs duty | Conditional exemption | Full tax applies |
| Document used | Special declaration / ATA Carnet | Standard export declaration |
| Security requirement | Yes | No |
| Typical purpose | Trade fairs, testing, repair, rental | Commercial sale |
| Right to a VAT refund | None (the goods come back) | Yes (subject to conditions) |
Common mistakes in temporary export
The problems we see most often in practice:
- Losing track of the deadline: if the goods are not back by the set date, the security is forfeited.
- Wrong HS code: misclassification raises the risk of extra duties or seizure in the destination country.
- Wrong document instead of an ATA Carnet: going to a trade fair without an ATA Carnet drags out customs formalities.
- Under-declaring value: showing a lower customs value creates both reputational and legal risk.
Managing the process well avoids needless costs and makes the timely, complete return of your goods a matter of planning. To spot and manage risks from the start, our Export Consulting service can help.
Talk to the FIX team to start your temporary export planning on the right footing.
Frequently asked questions
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Is an ATA Carnet mandatory for temporary export?No. An ATA Carnet is not mandatory, but for temporary exports to trade fairs and commercial…
No. An ATA Carnet is not mandatory, but for temporary exports to trade fairs and commercial shows it speeds up customs formalities considerably. It is valid in more than 87 countries that, like Türkiye, are part of the system. A special-status customs declaration can be used instead; the right choice depends on the destination country and the goods.
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How long can a temporary export last?It depends on the purpose of the shipment and the destination country’s rules.
It depends on the purpose of the shipment and the destination country’s rules. In Türkiye, the period is stated in the declaration and customs can extend it if you give a reason. A few weeks is usually enough for a trade fair, while repair or testing shipments can run to several months.
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What happens if the goods are damaged abroad?A customs liability can arise on the difference between the customs value of the goods and their…
A customs liability can arise on the difference between the customs value of the goods and their value when they come back damaged. That is why insurance covering transport and storage is critical for temporary exports.
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Can you still use export incentives with a temporary export?Because temporary export involves no permanent sale abroad, standard export incentives such as…
Because temporary export involves no permanent sale abroad, standard export incentives such as VAT refunds or Türk Eximbank loans do not apply. Some Ministry of Trade support for trade fair participation can, however, cover promotion carried out through a temporary export.
From our base in Ankara, FIX manages every step of a temporary export, from customs documents and security arrangements to the ATA Carnet application and deadline tracking, so you can show your products abroad without losing time or money.