A customs-controlled area (gümrüklü saha) is an area where goods whose customs formalities have not been completed, and the vehicles carrying them, wait under the supervision of the customs administration. Port terminals, TIR parks at border gates, airport cargo sections and authorised temporary storage facilities fall into this category. Goods here are not considered to be in free circulation and cannot be removed from the area without the administration's permission.
What does a customs-controlled area correspond to in the legislation?
"Gümrüklü saha" (customs-controlled area) is a general term used in the industry. Its counterpart in the legislation is areas under customs supervision, in particular temporary storage facilities. Under Customs Law No. 4458 (4458 sayılı Gümrük Kanunu), goods presented to customs have the status of "goods in temporary storage" until they are assigned an approved treatment or use. During this period the goods are considered neither imported nor exported; their duties are suspended.
Which areas count as customs-controlled areas?
| Area | Example | Typical use |
|---|---|---|
| Port temporary storage area | Container terminal, Ro-Ro parking area | Discharged goods wait under a summary declaration and leave after the customs declaration |
| Border gate area | Kapıkule, Sarp, Gürbulak TIR parks | Vehicles wait during entry, exit and transit formalities |
| Airport cargo terminal | Air cargo bonded warehouses and stores | Customs clearance of goods arriving by air |
| Inland customs temporary storage facility | Customs warehouses in organised industrial zones | Goods arriving in transit wait at the office of destination |
| Customs warehouse | Public or private bonded warehouse | Long-term storage with duties suspended |
A customs warehouse is technically a different procedure; goods enter it under a declaration and can stay longer. The distinction between the two concepts is detailed in the difference between a temporary storage facility and a customs warehouse.
How long can goods and vehicles wait in the area?
Under Article 46 of the Law, goods in temporary storage must be assigned a customs-approved treatment or use within 45 days for goods arriving by sea, and 20 days for goods arriving by other means, from the date the summary declaration was lodged. If the period is exceeded, the goods become liable to liquidation and are dealt with under Article 177 and the following provisions.
While waiting, only handling that preserves the condition of the goods without changing their appearance or technical characteristics may be carried out. Vehicles wait under seal and cannot leave the area until the transit declaration is closed or the export exit is confirmed. The area operator charges storage fees for this period.
Who is responsible for goods in the area?
- Area operator: The port operator or authorised storage facility operates with a permit from the customs administration and by providing a guarantee. It ensures that the goods do not leave customs supervision.
- Customs administration: Checks entry and exit records, seals and inspections.
- Carrier and declarant: Track the summary declaration and deadlines; overruns and storage costs are passed on to these parties.
How is the area used for project cargo?
The equipment for a plant often arrives on different vessels and trucks, weeks apart. The parts are either held in the port's customs-controlled area or moved in transit to a customs warehouse and cleared in one go once complete. Customs clearance of machinery shipped in parts depends on this planning. For oversize modules, the bearing capacity of the area's ground, crane access and the entry times for vehicles with special permits are checked separately.
Common mistakes
- Not counting the 45- and 20-day periods from the summary declaration rather than from the vessel's arrival.
- Holding cargo that arrived with incomplete documents in the area without taking storage costs into account.
- Carrying out operations that require permission, such as repacking, in the area without approval.
How does Voltim Global support this?
On the Akkuyu supply route and in customs warehouse operations, Voltim Global monitors the deadlines and documents of cargo entering a customs-controlled area together with the shipment file until the declaration is closed.