Importing from Turkey into the EU is simpler than from almost any other non-EU country: under the EU–Turkey Customs Union most industrial goods enter duty-free, provided they travel with a valid A.TR movement certificate. What remains is import VAT, the customs declaration, product compliance and freight. This guide walks through each step in the order you will meet it.
The Customs Union: what enters duty-free and what does not
The EU–Turkey Customs Union covers industrial goods and processed agricultural products. These goods pay no customs duty on entry into the EU, but only if an A.TR certificate is presented at import to show the goods are in free circulation in Turkey.
Basic agricultural products and coal and steel products sit outside the Customs Union. They are covered by separate preferential agreements, and the duty preference is claimed with an EUR.1 certificate proving preferential origin.
| Type of goods | Regime | Document | EU import duty |
|---|---|---|---|
| Industrial goods (textiles, machinery, furniture, auto parts, chemicals…) | Customs Union | A.TR | None |
| Processed agricultural products | Customs Union (agricultural component may apply) | A.TR | None on the industrial component |
| Basic agricultural products | Preferential agreement | EUR.1 | Reduced or zero, depending on product and quota |
| Steel products | ECSC free trade agreement | EUR.1 | Zero with preferential origin |
Note that duty-free status does not rule out trade defence measures. For specific products, EU anti-dumping duties or safeguard measures may apply even when the goods travel with an A.TR. Check the commodity code in the EU TARIC database before a new purchase.
What you pay anyway: VAT and charges
- Import VAT at the destination country’s rate, calculated on the customs value (goods plus freight and insurance to the EU border, plus any duty).
- Customs clearance fees for the broker or forwarder lodging the declaration.
- Excise duty only for excise goods such as alcohol or energy products.
Documents you need
- Commercial invoice and packing list from the Turkish supplier.
- A.TR (industrial goods) or EUR.1 (basic agricultural and steel products), endorsed by Turkish customs.
- Transport document: CMR for truck and Ro-Ro, bill of lading for containers, air waybill for air freight.
- The importer’s EORI number: without it the import declaration cannot be lodged.
- For goods moving under transit to an inland customs office: a T1 transit document.
- Product compliance documents where required: CE declaration of conformity, safety data sheets and REACH registration for chemicals, labelling for textiles and footwear.
Freight options from Turkey to Europe
| Mode | Best for | Practical notes |
|---|---|---|
| Road via the Balkans | Full and part loads to any EU country | Enters the EU via Bulgaria or Greece; cleared at the border or moved under T1 to the destination customs office |
| Ro-Ro via Trieste or Sète | Northern Italy, Central Europe, southern France and Spain; regular flows | Trailers sail from Pendik, Martaş, Mersin or Yalova; no transit countries. See Ro-Ro shipping Turkey–Europe |
| Container by sea | Heavy or bulky goods, raw materials | FCL or LCL to European ports, then on-carriage by road |
| Air freight | Samples, urgent spare parts, high-value goods | Higher cost per kg, shortest door-to-door time |
Which Incoterm to agree with a Turkish supplier
- EXW / FCA: you arrange the freight. Under FCA the supplier handles Turkish export clearance, which under EXW formally stays with the buyer and is often impractical.
- DAP: the supplier delivers to your door; import clearance and VAT stay with you.
- DDP: the supplier also pays EU duties and import VAT. Convenient, but the seller must be able to handle VAT in your country; read what DDP means first.
Step by step: from order to delivery
- Confirm the commodity code and any EU measures in TARIC.
- Agree the Incoterm and the movement document (A.TR or EUR.1) with the supplier.
- Choose the freight mode and where clearance will happen (border, port or inland office).
- The supplier exports: Turkish export declaration and customs endorsement of the A.TR or EUR.1.
- On arrival your broker lodges the import declaration; VAT and any duty are paid.
- Delivery to your warehouse and filing of the documents.
Common mistakes
- An A.TR that is not endorsed, or whose description differs from the invoice: the exemption is lost and full duty applies.
- No EUR.1 for steel or basic agricultural products.
- Agreeing DDP without checking who the importer of record is for VAT.
- Overlooking product compliance (CE, REACH): goods can be held even with correct customs documents.
How we help
Edora Global Trade handles Turkey–Europe shipments on both sides: collection from the Turkish supplier, export clearance and A.TR/EUR.1 in Turkey, road, Ro-Ro, sea or air freight, and customs clearance at destination. We work in English, Italian and Turkish. Send us route, weight and dimensions via the quote page; see also freight Turkey–Italy and freight Turkey–Germany.
Frequently asked questions
Do I pay import duty on goods from Turkey?
For industrial goods, no: the EU–Turkey Customs Union removes duty as long as the goods travel with a valid A.TR. Basic agricultural and steel products use preferential agreements with an EUR.1. Anti-dumping duties can still apply to specific products.
Is import VAT always due?
Yes. Import VAT is payable at the destination country’s rate even when the duty is zero.
Do I need an EORI number?
Yes. The EU importer needs an active EORI number to lodge the import declaration.
What is the difference between A.TR and EUR.1?
An A.TR shows the goods are in free circulation within the Customs Union and is used for industrial goods. An EUR.1 proves preferential origin and is used for basic agricultural and steel products.
Truck or Ro-Ro?
For northern Italy, Central Europe, southern France and Spain with regular volumes, Ro-Ro avoids Balkan border crossings and makes arrival dates predictable. For other destinations or urgent loads, a direct truck is often the better choice. We compare both for each shipment.
Can the supplier handle everything under DDP?
Yes, but the supplier must be able to account for VAT in your country. In many cases DAP with clearance by a local forwarder is simpler.