Customs and Foreign Trade Law

The customs union between Turkey and the European Union has made Turkey both a sourcing and a sales market for European companies. However, the customs union does not cover all goods, and imports and exports are subject to the detailed rules of Turkish customs legislation.

We advise importing and exporting companies on customs procedures, foreign trade regulations and related disputes. We establish the legal framework for operational processes handled by customs brokers and represent our clients against administrative sanctions.

Customs procedures and powers of attorney

Customs procedures require duly issued powers of attorney and authorisations. The recognition in Turkey of documents issued abroad is subject to certain formal requirements. We assist our clients in preparing and reviewing these documents.

Special customs procedures and incentives

Procedures such as inward processing, temporary admission and free zones offer companies considerable advantages when used correctly. Knowing the conditions and obligations of these procedures from the outset prevents later tax and penalty risks.

Origin, trade defence measures and sanctions

The origin of goods is decisive for additional duties and anti-dumping measures. International sanctions regimes may also affect payment and delivery processes, particularly in transactions involving certain countries. We assess these matters under Turkish law; questions concerning foreign sanctions regimes are addressed together with advisers in the respective country.

Customs disputes

We conduct objection and court proceedings against additional assessments, fines and seizures by the customs administration. In investigations on suspicion of smuggling, we represent companies and their managing directors in criminal proceedings.

Articles on legal issues in this area can be found on the Logistics sector page.