Import Inspection of Toys – Communiqué (Product Safety and Inspection): 2026/10 (Türkiye)

Scope

• Products covered: Toys and “toy-like” products listed by GTIP in Annex-1, including:
• Customs regime: Applies to Release for Free Circulation.
• Excluded: Does not cover goods returned under Outward Processing.

Application and Review Process

• Platform: All import inspection processes are executed in TAREKS based on risk analysis.
• Prerequisite: Importers must be registered in TAREKS and have at least one authorized firm user, under the general TAREKS Communiqué framework referenced (UGD: 2025/28).
• Timing: Controls are carried out before the customs declaration is registered.
• Operational flow:

Mandatory Documents to Upload in TAREKS (Annex-2)

For toy imports under Communiqué 2026/10, the key file set is:

1. Relevant customs/transport documents (depending on shipment status): summary declaration, transit/transport documents (B/L, CMR, CIM), free zone forms, prior regime declarations (warehousing/temporary import, etc.), and—if requested—the customs declaration.
2. Invoice or proforma invoice.
3. EU Declaration of Conformity (AB Uygunluk Beyanı)
4. Toy Safety Regulation test reports from an accredited laboratory (original or lab-certified copy) proving compliance with the Toy Safety Regulation (04/10/2016 – OG 29847).
5. REACH-type restriction test reports (KKDİK EK-17) from an accredited laboratory (original or lab-certified copy) demonstrating compliance with the chemical restrictions for toys referenced under the “Restrictions” annex (EK-17) of the chemicals regulation dated 23/06/2017 (OG 30105 mükerrer).
6. Product photos taken in the customs-controlled area.

Document authenticity rule: If any uploaded EU Declaration of Conformity, test report, or other requested document is found not to be issued by the relevant party (or otherwise unreliable), the inspection is concluded negatively even if other conditions appear met.

Validity and Legal Effect

• The TAREKS reference number must be declared in Box 44 of the customs declaration.
• The reference number is valid for 1 year from its issuance date.
• A positive TAREKS outcome does not mean the product is definitively compliant/safe; it is an import-control authorization result.

The Communiqué also specifies fixed 23-digit TAREKS reference numbers for certain special cases (as described in Article 11), including imports under the “fifth part” of the implementing Decision under Customs Law No. 4458 and returned goods scenarios.

Enforcement and Compliance Risk

• Importer liability remains full: Even where goods are not physically inspected, the importer remains responsible for compliance with the Toy Safety Regulation and all applicable rules, under Law No. 7223.
• Post-clearance control risk: If later controls determine the imported product’s GTIP falls under Annex-1, customs notifies the Ministry of Trade (Directorate General for Consumer Protection and Market Surveillance); if the product is determined unsafe, the conformity assessment is treated as negative.
• Sanctions: Apply under Law No. 7223, Customs Law No. 4458, the Technical Regulations Regime and other applicable legislation.
• TAREKS user/firma risk: Non-compliance may lead to suspension of firm user authorization (1–12 months) and routing the firm’s future applications to physical inspection (1–12 months) based on severity and compliance history.

Repealed Regulation and Entry into Force

• Communiqué 2025/10 is repealed.
• Entry into force: 1 January 2026.
• Transitional period: For shipments dispatched before 1 January 2026 (transport document issued / presented to customs), imports may—upon TAREKS application and importer request—be finalized under the repealed Communiqué until 28 February 2026 (inclusive).

Professional Compliance Assessment

From a practical import-compliance and clearance-risk perspective:

• “Toy-like / for children” qualification is a real hotspot: Annex-1 explicitly includes multiple non-95 headings only if they are “toy-like” or intended for children. Mischaracterization (toy vs. non-toy product) can trigger wrong control routing, delays, and post-clearance exposure.
• Two distinct testing expectations: This Communiqué effectively expects (i) Toy Safety conformity evidence and (ii) chemical restriction compliance evidence (KKDİK EK-17). Importers should organize testing strategy and technical file management accordingly.
• DoC consistency + traceability matters: Ensure the DoC matches the brand/model/age grading, and aligns with labeling/marking and test reports. Discrepancies are a common trigger for escalation.
• Bonded-area photos need a process: Since customs-area photos are required, set a standard workflow with the warehouse/broker to avoid avoidable dwell time.
• Remember the legal meaning: A TAREKS reference number is a gatekeeping result, not a “certificate of safety”. Technical files and compliance controls must be defensible against post-clearance and market surveillance actions.

See the legislation document.