TAREKS in Türkiye: From No-Scope Declaration to Technical Inspection
As of 2026, the changes introduced in Türkiye’s TAREKS (Risk-Based Foreign Trade Control System) do not merely constitute a procedural update; they represent a structural transformation that fundamentally reshapes the approach to import controls under Turkish customs and product safety legislation. In particular, the effective abandonment of the traditional concept of “no-scope declaration” has created a new inspection reality for companies importing goods into Türkiye.
Under the new Turkish practice, declaring that a product is outside the scope of a specific product safety regulation is no longer an exception that accelerates customs clearance. Instead, such a declaration now serves as the starting point of technical and regulatory inspection carried out through TAREKS.
Within this framework, TAREKS has evolved from a system that merely filters products subject to control into a central inspection mechanism under Turkish law, requiring even allegedly out-of-scope products to be assessed from technical, legal, and functional perspectives. The most visible consequence of this transformation is the significantly increased importance of HS Code (GTİP) analysis and technical file quality in imports to Türkiye.
Türkiye’s Shift from No-Scope Declaration to an Inspection-Based Model
Under previous Turkish practice, no-scope declarations were often treated as declarative and largely self-assessed. An importer’s statement that a product did not fall within the scope of a relevant Turkish product safety communiqué could remain limited to a declaration on the customs declaration, and in many cases, no substantive inspection was triggered.
As of 2026, this approach has been formally abandoned in Türkiye. Any product claimed to be outside the scope of Turkish product safety regulations is now referred to inspection units through TAREKS and subjected to a technical and regulatory assessment. This shift has effectively redefined the meaning of “out of scope” under Turkish import controls.
Being out of scope no longer means exemption from inspection in Türkiye. On the contrary, it requires that the claim be explicitly justified and substantiated in line with Turkish customs legislation and applicable product safety rules.
Turkish inspection authorities now assess HS Code declarations not solely on the basis of the tariff schedule, but in conjunction with the product’s technical characteristics, intended use, end-user profile, and method of placing on the Turkish market. As a result, HS Code classification must be fully consistent with the technical file. Where the product description in the technical documentation does not support the declared HS Code, the no-scope claim is significantly weakened, and the file is subjected to intensified inspection under TAREKS.
In this context, importers must clearly and coherently demonstrate why the product does not fall within the scope of the relevant Turkish regulation, which technical criteria exclude it from scope, and how its function and intended use support that conclusion. Files prepared with generic explanations and without direct references to Turkish regulatory provisions are no longer considered sufficient. Technical documentation is now expected to be prepared in a deliberate, reasoned, and regulation-based manner within the framework of Türkiye’s product safety legislation.
Impact on Import Processes and Costs in Türkiye
This inspection-driven structure inevitably leads to longer processing times and increased compliance costs for imports into Türkiye. Even for products believed to be out of scope, a TAREKS application must be submitted, the inspection process must be awaited, and any additional document requests issued by Turkish authorities must be addressed.
This creates heightened planning risks, particularly for time-sensitive imports into Türkiye. Moreover, where technical files are found insufficient, importers may be required to revise documentation, provide supplementary technical explanations, or obtain additional expert opinions. These requirements place further operational and consultancy cost burdens on companies engaged in trade with Türkiye.
Sectors Most Affected under Turkish Practice
While this new framework affects virtually all sectors importing into Türkiye, its impact is particularly pronounced in certain industries. Tolerance for errors in HS Code classification and technical documentation under Turkish law has been significantly reduced, especially in sectors involving borderline products, overlapping technical regulations, or wide product ranges.
Electronic and electrical products are among the most frequently scrutinized groups due to their intersection with multiple Turkish and international technical regulations. Medical devices and health-related products stand out as high-risk areas because of detailed assessments related to intended use and target users under Turkish rules. In machinery, equipment, and industrial goods, the depth of the technical file and the consistency between HS Code and product characteristics have become decisive under Türkiye’s inspection regime.
Conclusion
As of 2026, the position reached in Türkiye’s TAREKS practice is clear: no-scope declarations are no longer procedural formalities that facilitate faster customs clearance. They are now serious claims that must be defended on technical and legal grounds under Turkish customs and product safety legislation.
In this new era of import control in Türkiye, HS Code accuracy and technical file quality have become the two most critical elements of the import process. Files that fail to clearly demonstrate, with appropriate regulatory references and technical justification, that a product is genuinely outside the scope of Turkish regulations face delays, increased costs, and heightened inspection risks. For companies trading with Türkiye, the key issue is no longer whether a product is out of scope, but whether they are adequately prepared to prove this status accurately, consistently, and in full compliance with Turkish law.
Other posts by this author
