As of January 1, 2025, Turkey has introduced new rules for the import of textiles, clothing, and leather products under Communiqué 2025/18. The aim is to enhance product safety and ensure compliance with regulations on hazardous substances.
Importers must comply with new requirements to avoid customs clearance delays and penalties. Below are the key changes.
Key updates for imports into Turkey
- Stricter controls
- Textile, clothing, and leather imports are now subject to documentary checks and laboratory tests through the TAREKS platform.
- Importers must register and submit the required documentation. Based on risk assessment, some products may undergo chemical and mechanical testing.
Products subject to testing
- Footwear and leather goods → tested for nickel, phthalates, chromium VI, and other restricted substances under KKDIK (Turkey’s REACH regulation).
- Children’s clothing → inspected for cords and drawstrings safety (TS EN 14682) and flammability testing (TS EN 14878).
Increased tariffs on footwear
As of January 1, 2025, the additional import duty on footwear has increased from 30% to 40%.
New obligations for importers
- To import regulated products, a TAREKS Reference Number must be obtained and included in the customs declaration.
- Obtaining the reference number does not automatically confirm product compliance, which remains the responsibility of the importer.
Penalties for non-compliance
- Importers providing false information or altered documents may face:
- Suspension from TAREKS for up to 12 months.
- Mandatory stricter inspections on all future imports.
- Importers providing false information or altered documents may face:
Impact on European businesses
This new regulation requires greater attention from European importers, who must ensure product compliance to avoid delays and possible customs blocks.
It is recommended to prepare in advance, verifying the required documentation and product compliance with the new safety standards.
Official source: Turkey’s Official Gazette
What is the TAREKS Reference Number and How Does It Work?
The TAREKS Reference Number is a reference number generated by the Risk-Based Control System in Foreign Trade (TAREKS). This number certifies that a specific imported product has undergone the inspections and compliance evaluations required by Turkish regulations on product safety and technical regulations.
How Does the TAREKS Reference Number Work?
It is automatically generated by the TAREKS system once the inspection or risk analysis process has been successfully completed and must be included in the customs declaration (box 44) at the time of goods clearance. It certifies that the product complies with regulatory requirements and can be legally imported into Turkey. Its validity is one year from the date of issuance.
Holding a TAREKS Reference Number does not automatically imply that the product is safe or fully compliant in every aspect, but only that it has passed the documentary verification process and, if required, physical inspections or laboratory tests.
