Import customs clearance is completed through these steps: the carrier's summary declaration, temporary storage of the goods, registration of the release for free circulation declaration in the BİLGE system by the importer or customs broker, document or physical inspection based on risk analysis, payment of taxes and withdrawal of the goods from customs. If the documents are complete and the channel is green, the process can be finished on the same day.
How does the process run step by step?
- Summary declaration: Before the goods arrive in the Customs Territory of Türkiye, the carrier or its agent submits the vehicle and cargo details electronically; this submission is called the summary declaration.
- Presentation to customs and temporary storage: At the port, border crossing or customs area, the goods take on the status of goods in temporary storage. A customs procedure must be chosen within 45 days of the summary declaration for goods arriving by sea and within 20 days for goods arriving by other means; otherwise the goods become subject to liquidation.
- Registration of the declaration: The release for free circulation declaration is completed and registered in BİLGE (the Turkish customs IT system). The registration number consists of the last two digits of the year, the customs office code, the letters "IM" and a sequence number. The tax liability arises on the registration date. Types of declaration are explained in the types of customs declaration entry.
- Risk analysis and channel: The system routes the declaration to the green, yellow, red or blue channel. In green no inspection is made, in yellow the documents are checked, in red the documents and goods are physically inspected, and in blue the inspection is deferred until later.
- Payment of taxes: Customs duty, any additional customs duty, special consumption tax (ÖTV) and import VAT are paid at a bank, at the customs accounting office or with GÜMKART. The payment information is recorded in the system electronically.
- Withdrawal of the goods: Once the checks and payment are complete, the declaration is closed; the goods are taken out of the temporary storage facility or bonded warehouse.
Who does what?
| Party | Role |
|---|---|
| Carrier or agent | Submits the summary declaration and presents the goods to customs |
| Temporary storage operator | Receives the goods, keeps records and collects storage charges |
| Importer | Responsible for the accuracy of the declaration and payment of taxes |
| Customs broker | Prepares the declaration on behalf of the importer and follows up the formalities |
| Customs administration | Checks the declaration and the goods and assesses the taxes |
| Other authorities | Carry out checks such as product safety, agriculture and health; the result is transmitted to customs via the Single Window System |
A company wishing to use BİLGE in its own name must obtain a user code, password and electronic signature, and also register with the Obligor Registration and Tracking System (Yükümlü Kayıt ve Takip Sistemi).
Which documents are required?
- Commercial invoice and packing list.
- Transport document: bill of lading, CMR or air waybill.
- Origin or movement certificate for preferential duty (A.TR, EUR.1, origin declaration).
- Freight and insurance details; where the delivery term requires them to be added to the customs value, the relevant invoices.
- Conformity, permit or inspection documents depending on the product.
- A power of attorney if a broker is used.
Because the customs administration can carry out post-clearance checks, keeping import documents and records for five years is a legal requirement.
How long does it take?
A declaration with complete documents, a correct GTİP (Turkish HS/tariff code) and no additional agency inspection can be closed a few hours after registration in the green channel. In the yellow channel, document review is usually completed on the same or the next day. In the red channel, the inspection appointment, unloading of the goods and any sample analysis extend the time to several days. If a sample must be taken for a product safety inspection, the result document can only be issued after the goods have arrived.
Common mistakes
- Quantities or weights on the invoice and the packing list not matching.
- The origin certificate not being sent with the cargo; the importer pays the higher duty instead of the preferential rate.
- Freight that should be added to the value being left out of the declaration.
- Missing the 20-day time limit for goods arriving by road.
How does Voltim Global support this?
Voltim Global handles transport and import customs clearance in the same file; the invoice, packing list and origin certificate are checked before the vehicle sets off. The declaration and inspection steps are followed up with customs brokerage support.