Turkey Introduces Import Surveillance on Printing Plates and Paper Products (Communiqué No: 2026/1)

Why this matters for importers of printing plates and paper products to Türkiye and compliance teams:

This Communiqué introduces a prospective, value-based import surveillance regime covering photosensitive magnesium printing plates and selected kraft paper and paperboard products, materially tightening customs valuation control for these product groups. Because the obligation is triggered solely by declared unit values falling below defined thresholds, routine commercial shipments—particularly bulk paper imports and competitively priced printing plates—may now require advance surveillance certification to avoid declaration rejection at registration.

From a compliance and operations perspective, the measure elevates the importance of unit value benchmarking, documentation consistency, and pre-declaration planning. Importers must reconcile invoices, specifications (surface weight, fiber composition), and logistics data with the applicable thresholds (e.g., USD 40/kg for magnesium plates; USD 0.7–1/kg for certain paper grades). Failure to do so exposes shipments to non-acceptance of declarations, clearance delays, and intensified valuation scrutiny, while early certificate planning can preserve clearance predictability during the initial enforcement phase.

Executive Summary

With Communiqué No: 2026/1, published in the Official Gazette dated 31 December 2025, the Turkish Ministry of Trade has introduced an import surveillance regime covering certain printing-related magnesium plates and various paper and paperboard products. Imports declared with a unit customs value below the reference thresholds specified in the Communiqué will be subject to a mandatory surveillance certificate prior to customs clearance. The measure is prospective in nature and is designed to strengthen customs valuation control for these product groups.

Scope

The Communiqué applies to a broad range of products classified under several GTIP codes, including:

Photosensitive magnesium plates for cliché making (GTIP 3701.30.00.00.21), subject to surveillance where the declared unit value is below USD 40 per kilogram (gross weight).
Various grades of kraft paper and paperboard classified under GTIP 4804.11 and 4804.21 series, differentiated by surface weight and fiber composition, subject to surveillance where the declared unit value is below USD 0.7 per kilogram for certain paper grades and USD 1 per kilogram for specific kraft paper products.

Only imports declared below the relevant reference unit customs values fall within the scope of the surveillance requirement. Imports declared at or above these thresholds are not subject to the obligation to obtain a surveillance certificate under this Communiqué.

Mandatory Surveillance Certificate

Imports of the products covered by the Communiqué may only be carried out with a Surveillance Certificate issued by the Import General Directorate of the Ministry of Trade. The certificate must be presented at the time of registration of the customs declaration. Where a valid surveillance certificate is not available, the customs declaration will not be accepted and the goods cannot be cleared.

Application and Review Process

Applications for surveillance certificates must be submitted electronically with an e-signature via the Single Window System through the Ministry of Trade’s “Import Document Procedures” interface. Applications may also be lodged through the e-Government portal (turkiye.gov.tr).

E-signature holders submitting applications on behalf of companies must be duly authorized in accordance with Communiqué No: 2026/19 on Authorization for Electronic Applications in Import Procedures. During the application process, applicants are required to select the document type “TPS-0964 – Surveillance Certificate (Industry)” and choose Communiqué No: 2026/1 as the legal basis. The application form must be fully completed and supported by all documents listed in Annex-2 before finalization with an electronic signature.

Where electronic submission is not possible due to technical issues, applications may exceptionally be submitted in physical form, using the application form set out in Annex-1 and accompanied by a certified trade registry document.

Issuance and Use of the Surveillance Certificate

Surveillance certificates are issued electronically. The applicant is notified via the email address specified in the application form. The notification includes a 23-digit certificate reference number and the issue date, both of which must be declared in Box 44 of the customs declaration. No separate written notification is provided.

If the applicant is not registered with the customs system and the surveillance certificate record cannot be approved, the Ministry will notify the applicant by email. The importer must complete the necessary system registration within five business days, failing which the application will be deemed invalid.

Validity and Legal Effect

Surveillance certificates issued under this Communiqué are valid for six months.

Enforcement and Compliance Risk

If false, inconsistent, or incomplete information is identified during the application or review stages, no surveillance certificate will be issued until the deficiencies are remedied. Submitting or attempting to submit a customs declaration without a valid surveillance certificate may lead to rejection of declaration registration, clearance delays, and heightened scrutiny of valuation and supporting documentation.

Entry into Force

The Communiqué will enter into force 30 days following its publication date, i.e. at the end of January 2026.

Professional Compliance Assessment

From a customs compliance perspective, importers dealing in magnesium printing plates and the covered paper and paperboard products should carefully assess their declared unit values against the applicable reference thresholds. Advance planning for surveillance certificate applications, strict consistency between commercial documentation and customs declarations, and preparedness for increased valuation scrutiny are essential. Surveillance measures of this scope typically reflect enhanced regulatory sensitivity in the relevant sectors and may indicate closer monitoring in future trade policy developments.

See the legislation document.

Import Surveillance Measure on Certain Printing Plates and Paper Products – Communiqué No: 2026/1 (Türkiye)