A T1 document is obtained by lodging a transit declaration in NCTS, either at the inland customs office near the place of loading or at the office of departure where the goods will exit, by the holder of the procedure or a customs broker on its behalf. A guarantee is attached to the declaration, the vehicle is sealed, and once customs releases the goods, the transit accompanying document (TAD) with an MRN is printed.
Who obtains the T1?
The person who "obtains" the T1 is the holder of the procedure (principal), who lodges the declaration and assumes financial liability towards customs. This may be the exporter, importer, carrier or forwarder. As a rule, the principal also provides the guarantee. In practice the declaration is usually prepared by a customs broker; it is also common for the broker to open the declaration under its own comprehensive guarantee. What the document is and what it suspends is explained in the what is a T1 document entry.
Where is it obtained?
- Inland customs: The cargo is loaded at the factory, sealed at the nearest inland customs office and travels to the border under seal.
- Border crossing or port: The transit declaration can also be opened directly at exit; at busy crossings the wait is longer.
- The company's own premises: Companies with authorised consignor status lodge the declaration under the simplified procedure and dispatch the cargo sealed from their own premises. The conditions for this status are in the authorised consignor and consignee entry.
Which documents are required?
- Commercial invoice and packing list (weight and number of packages per item)
- CMR consignment note
- For export cargo, the export declaration; for transit cargo, the arrival document or previous transit document
- Tractor, trailer or container details and driver details
- The 6-digit GTİP (Turkish HS/tariff code) of each item
- Guarantee details
How is the guarantee provided?
The guarantee covers the customs duties and VAT that would arise if the cargo were lost in transit; its amount is calculated based on the tax burden on the goods. There are two options:
| Type | Who is it suitable for? | How is it used? |
|---|---|---|
| Comprehensive guarantee | Brokers, carriers or companies carrying out regular transit | Deducted from a limit registered with customs for each declaration and restored when it is closed |
| Individual guarantee | Those carrying out occasional transit | Bank letter of guarantee or cash for a single declaration |
Details are in the transit guarantee entry. Companies that carry out regular transit and meet reliability criteria can obtain authorisation from the customs administration for a reduced comprehensive guarantee amount or a guarantee waiver.
How does the process work in brief?
- Documents are sent to the broker; vehicle and seal details are confirmed.
- The broker prepares the T1 declaration in NCTS and attaches the guarantee.
- The declaration is accepted and an MRN is issued.
- The vehicle is presented to customs; a document check or inspection is carried out and seals are applied.
- The goods are released; the TAD is printed and handed to the driver.
The screen-by-screen steps are in the how to lodge an NCTS transit declaration entry.
How long does it take and what does the cost depend on?
If the documents are complete, the guarantee is ready and the channel is green, the process is usually completed within a few hours. Inspection, missing documents or a busy customs office extend the time. The cost consists of the brokerage fee, the guarantee cost (bank commission for an individual guarantee) and, if needed, handling for the inspection.
Is a T1 opened for export different from one opened for transit?
The declaration is the same; the previous document differs. For export cargo, the T1 is based on the registered export declaration, and the goods travel under seal to the exit border. For transit cargo arriving in Türkiye from another country, the T1 is based on the summary declaration on arrival or the record in the bonded warehouse. If the previous document number is not entered correctly in the declaration, closure of the export is also delayed.
Common mistakes
- The number of items on the invoice not matching the items in the declaration
- Entering a destination office different from the customs office the consignee works with
- Opening a T1 when the route will leave the area of the Common Transit Convention; in this case the T1 or TIR carnet question must be reconsidered
- Calculating the individual guarantee amount too low for sensitive goods
Declaration and guarantee coordination is carried out under the bonded and transit transport and customs brokerage services.