Amendment to Turkey’s Import Surveillance Communiqué on Self-Adhesive Plastic Products (Amending Communiqué published on 31 December 2025, Official Gazette No. 33124)
Why this matters for foreign exporters / importers to Türkiye:
Increased reference values tighten surveillance coverage, meaning more low-priced shipments will require pre-clearance Surveillance Certificates.
The split of GTIP 3919.90.80.30.00 into two statistical lines raises classification sensitivity, especially for wide-format digital printing foils.
Pricing strategies below the revised thresholds may face longer lead times and higher administrative friction due to certificate requirements.
Attempts to reclassify products to avoid higher thresholds carry post-clearance audit and penalty risk, increasing compliance exposure.
Contracts, invoices, and product descriptions must be aligned before 30 January 2026 to avoid clearance delays and valuation disputes.
What has changed compared to the previous regulation? With the Amending Communiqué to the Import Surveillance Communiqué (Communiqué No: 2019/2), Turkey has revised the surveillance reference values (minimum unit customs values) applicable to certain self-adhesive plastic products classified under Chapter 39.
Compared to the original version of Communiqué No: 2019/2 (published on 15 June 2019):
- Unit customs values have been increased for key GTIP items, notably:
- The former single GTIP 3919.90.80.30.00 has been split into two separate statistical lines:
- The surveillance value of USD 4/kg for 3919.90.80.90.00 (polypropylene-backed adhesive products) remains unchanged.
These revised values will enter into force on 30 January 2026, i.e. 30 days after publication, and will replace the previous surveillance thresholds applied since 2019.
What does this mean for companies?
For importers of self-adhesive films, tapes and plastic sheets:
- Imports declared below the updated reference values will require a Surveillance Certificate issued by the Ministry of Trade – Directorate General for Imports.
- The increase in reference values effectively tightens control over low-priced imports and may:
For customs valuation and compliance:
- The surveillance values do not constitute customs value, but act as a control threshold.
- Any attempt to artificially reclassify products to avoid higher thresholds may expose importers to post-clearance audits and penalties, in line with prior guidance from the General Directorate of Customs.
Required actions for importers
Companies importing products under the affected GTIPs should:
- Review pricing structures and supplier invoices before 30 January 2026.
- Verify correct GTIP classification, especially for products previously falling under 3919.90.80.30.00.
- Prepare in advance for Surveillance Certificate applications where unit values fall below the revised thresholds.
- Align internal compliance processes to avoid shipment delays and valuation disputes at customs.
Other legislation updates
- Türkiye – Amendment to Customs General Communiqué No. 16: Clarification on Simplified Procedure for OKSB Holders
- Türkiye – Anti-Dumping Measures Expiring in 2026: Official Notice under Communiqué No. 2026/4
- Türkiye – Amendment to the Free Zones Implementation Regulation: Licensing, Accounting Separation and Superstructure Regime
- Amendment to the Minimum Fee Tariff for Customs Brokers and Authorized Customs Brokers (Türkiye – Regulatory Update)
- Imposition of Definitive Anti-Dumping Measures on Tin-Coated Flat-Rolled Steel Products Originating in Germany, China, Korea, Japan and Serbia