Import Inspection of Textile and Leather Products – Communiqué No: 2026/18 (Türkiye)

Scope

• Applies to products listed in Annex-1 to be imported under the Release for Free Circulation regime.
• Excluded from scope:

The legal compliance baseline referenced in Article 1 includes:

• KKDİK (Chemicals Registration, Evaluation, Authorization and Restriction Regulation),
• General Product Safety Regulation (when no specific technical regulation exists or lacks health/safety provisions),
• and the Communiqué on conformity inspection for certain consumer products.

TAREKS-Based Control Model

• All import inspection steps are carried out via TAREKS, based on risk analysis (firm history, previous controls, product type, brand/model, price/quantity, origin/shipping country, entry customs office, and other risk indicators).
• Firms must be registered in TAREKS and must have at least one authorized “firm user” to perform transactions.
• Controls are performed before customs declaration registration, in line with the Customs Regulation (Art. 181/4).

Application Process

• The firm user submits the application through TAREKS (via the Ministry e-transactions portal or e-Devlet), uploading:
• TAREKS assigns an application number for tracking.
• The importer and the firm user are responsible for accuracy and completeness of information and documents.

Exemptions and Special Cases

• A.TR circulation document declared in TAREKS: a TAREKS reference number may be issued directly (automatic route), however the system may still send goods to physical inspection based on risk.
• Returned goods (as defined under Customs Regulation Art. 446): no TAREKS application; imports are concluded under the Communiqué’s customs handling provisions (reference-number logic applies).
• Postal/express cargo items under the referenced customs decision framework: no TAREKS application; a fixed TAREKS reference number must be used in Box 44 (as specified).

Physical Inspection and Document Deadlines (High-Risk Operational Point)

If the product is routed to physical inspection, additional documents (as per Annex-2) must be uploaded into TAREKS within 20 working days (including the application day).If documents are not uploaded on time, the application is concluded negatively.

Also important:

• The Ministry may request additional information/documents.
• If a test report or other uploaded document is found not to be issued by the relevant party, the inspection is concluded negatively even if other conditions appear compliant.

Mandatory Documents to Upload to TAREKS (Annex-2)

Core uploads include:

1. Relevant customs/shipping document(s) depending on the goods’ status (e.g., summary declaration, transit/transport docs such as B/L–CMR–CIM, FTZ forms, prior declarations for warehouse/temporary import, etc.).
2. Invoice or proforma invoice.
3. Accredited lab test report proving compliance with azo dyes / azo colorants restrictions under KKDİK.
4. Product photos taken in the customs-controlled area (bonded area).

Note: Originals or certified copies may be required upon request by the inspection unit.

Chemical Testing Focus (Practical Compliance Meaning)

The Communiqué explicitly signals additional chemical testing risks depending on product category:

• Footwear (Chapter 64) may be tested (depending on nature) for: nickel (prolonged skin contact), phthalates, DOK (dioctyltin), DMFu, Chromium VI, etc.
• Other products (outside Chapter 64) may be tested (depending on nature) for: APEO (nonylphenol/nonylphenol ethoxylates), flame retardants, DOK, PAH, DMF/DMFu, lead, cadmium, Chromium VI, nickel (where relevant for skin contact).
• Children’s clothing may also be assessed against cord/drawstring safety and flammability standards (as referenced).

For importers, this means the “default risk” is not only documentation—it is also chemical compliance evidence readiness and product technical file discipline.

Customs Declaration Practice

• If the import is cleared, TAREKS creates a TAREKS reference number indicating the product may be imported.
• The importer must enter the TAREKS reference number into Box 44 of the customs declaration.
• Validity: the TAREKS reference number is valid for 1 year from issuance.
• If the GTIP later changes and the product is found to fall under Annex-1, the goods (if under customs supervision) may be directed to control and a TAREKS application becomes required.

Enforcement and Compliance Risk

• The importer remains responsible for product compliance whether inspected or not.
• A TAREKS reference number does not prove the product is fully compliant/safe; it is only a clearance-related control output.
• Sanctions apply under:
• Additionally, serious or repeated non-compliance can trigger:

Repealed Regulation and Entry into Force

• Communiqué 2025/18 is repealed.
• Entry into force: 1 January 2026.
• Transitional arrangement: For shipments with a transport document issued (or presented to customs per customs legislation) before 1 January 2026, imports may be finalized under the repealed Communiqué until 28 February 2026 (inclusive)—provided the TAREKS application is made and the importer requests it.

Compliance Assessment

From a customs-compliance and operational standpoint, this Communiqué formalizes a strict, risk-driven import control process where companies should focus on four practical controls:

1. TAREKS readiness: firm registration + authorized firm user(s) + internal process ownership.
2. Document discipline: shipment/customs-status documents and commercial invoices must match the TAREKS dataset precisely.
3. Lab test strategy: have accredited test reports (especially azo dye compliance) ready before applying; for high-risk products (footwear, children’s items, coated/treated textiles), anticipate broader chemical panels.
4. Bonded-area photo workflow: ensure compliant product photos can be produced operationally in the customs area without delaying the process.

Failure in any of these typically results in negative inspection outcomes, clearance delays, and elevated risk profiling for future shipments.

See the legislation document.