Implementation of Simplified Customs Procedures

Minister of Trade Ruhsar Pekcan announced the launch of an initiative to simplify customs procedures, reduce bureaucracy and facilitate trade. “Our new practice will enable customs clearance for goods arriving by sea to be completed before they reach the Turkish Customs Territory. Once unloaded from the vessel, the goods will be delivered directly to their owners for departure from the port,” she said.

In her written statement, Pekcan noted that removing many stages of traditional customs clearance addresses the need for faster, simpler procedures. “Our new practice will enable customs clearance for goods arriving by sea to be completed before they reach the Turkish Customs Territory. Once unloaded from the vessel, the goods will be delivered directly to their owners for departure from the port. Pre-arrival clearance allows an import customs declaration to be registered immediately after the summary declaration is registered, and the declaration procedures to be completed before the goods reach the Turkish Customs Territory. This significantly shortens the import process from start to finish,” she added.

The pilot took place on 16–18 October at Asyaport in Tekirdağ, covering the release for free circulation of a company’s goods arriving in containers by sea.

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