Countries · TR
Türkiye: sanctions and trade risk
As of 7 November 2026, the screened UN, EU, UK, Swiss and US sanctions lists contain 311 companies, organisations, vessels and aircraft linked to Türkiye.Lists last checked .
Logistics profile: ports, airports, customs, documents, holidays, news ↓
Türkiye is named in official guidance as a route for re-exports to Russia. Ordinary goods are usually not restricted, but authorities expect you to verify the real end destination and end user, especially for goods on the EU/UK high-priority lists.
Sources: UK — Countering Russian sanctions evasion: guidance for exporters (at-risk jurisdictions list) (12 Mar 2026) · DOJ/Commerce/Treasury Tri-Seal Compliance Note on third-party intermediaries (2 Mar 2023) · European Commission — EU adopts 20th package (IP/26/869) (23 Apr 2026) · reviewed 24 Oct 2026
By sanctions regime
The indicator above is the strictest of these. Which regimes are relevant to a shipment depends on many connections — dispatch country, company location, incorporation, nationality, ownership, banks, goods origin. The check selects them from your inputs in a simplified way; UN measures take effect through each country's implementing law.
| Regime | Indicator | What applies |
|---|---|---|
| UN | — | No UN sanctions regime. |
| EU | Sanctions programme | Targeted measures over unauthorised drilling; some Turkish companies are listed for supplying Russia. |
| Switzerland | — | No measures against the country itself. |
| UK | Re-export route | Named in the UK list of jurisdictions at risk of re-export to Russia (Mar 2026). |
| US | Re-export route | Named in US guidance (Tri-Seal note 2023) as a transshipment point to Russia. |
On the sanctions lists
311 entries on the official lists name Türkiye — as nationality, address, registration or flag. That links them to the country; it says nothing about other companies there. The same company can appear on several lists and is then counted once per list. Individuals are not included — Sanctioni does not process them.
| List | Entries | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| US OFAC — Specially Designated Nationals (SDN) | 245 | 245 | — | — |
| Switzerland SECO Consolidated Sanctions List | 39 | 39 | — | — |
| UK Sanctions List (FCDO) | 18 | 18 | — | — |
| EU Consolidated Financial Sanctions List (FSF) | 8 | 8 | — | — |
| US OFAC — Consolidated (Non-SDN) Lists | 1 | 1 | — | — |
Latest changes
- United States (OFAC) · IRAN-EO13902: 10 new designations
· New listings
- Switzerland (SECO) · Situation in Ukraine: 329 new designations
· New listings
- United Kingdom · Russia: 35 new designations
· New listings
- Switzerland (SECO) · Situation in Ukraine: 45 new designations
· New listings
Related
Logistics profile
Türkiye: logistics and trade
Transit and transshipment hub between Europe, Asia and the Middle East; production site with connection to the EU Customs Union
Türkiye (ISO code: TR) lies at the crossroads of Europe and Asia, bordering Greece, Bulgaria, Georgia, Armenia, Iran, Azerbaijan and Iraq and fronting the Mediterranean, Aegean and Black Seas. It is a presidential republic and an emerging industrial economy with strong machinery, automotive, textile, electronics, agriculture and tourism sectors. Through the EU Customs Union (since 1996) most industrial goods circulate with the EU free of customs duty under an A.TR certificate. Logistically the country is a major transit hub: Istanbul Airport is Europe's busiest air-cargo gateway, several container ports rank in the global top 100, and road (TIR), Ro-Ro and the BTK railway (Middle Corridor) link Europe, Asia and the Middle East. The currency is the Turkish lira (TRY).
- Capital
- Ankara
- Population
- 85,664,944
- Area
- 783,562 km²
- Currency
- Turkish lira (TRY)
- Region
- Europe / Middle East
- Economic area
- EU Customs Union (industrial goods since 1996), G20, OECD, WTO, EU accession candidate
- Religions
- Islam, Christianity
- Access to the sea
- Yes
Transport modes Road · Rail
- Current situation
- BTK railway since June 2026 with increased capacity (Middle Corridor). Since January 2026, lower de minimis threshold (30 euros) for small import consignments; micro-export limit raised to 30'000 euros/600 kg. No nationwide disruption verified (as of 2026-07-18).
- Seasonal conditions
- Winter snow and ice conditions in the Anatolian highlands and eastern Anatolia may delay road and border traffic (e.g. Kapıkule).
Main seaports
- Mersin
Mersin (TR MER): Turkey's leading container port on the eastern Mediterranean. ~2M TEU, dry/liquid bulk, project cargo, free zone; gateway to central Anatolia.
- Aliaga
Aliağa (TR ALI) near İzmir: industrial-energy port for oil, petrochemicals, LNG and bulk; deep-water Petlim container terminal (SOCAR), ~2.1M TEU in 2024.
- Tekirdag
Tekirdag (TR TEK): Asyaport (TiL/MSC) handled 2.1m TEU in 2024, expanding to 4m TEU by end-2026. Turkey's first container port to offer shore power.
- Izmit
Izmit (TR IZT): Sea of Marmara port cluster; DP World Evyap Yarımca after 2024 merger, >2M TEU. Maersk SLR service shifted to Safiport Derince Aug 2026.
- Gemlik
Gemlik (TR GEM), Sea of Marmara: major automotive, container and Ro-Ro port (Yılport Gemport, Borusan Port), 1M+ TEU. Alternatives: Ambarlı, İzmit.
- Iskenderun
İskenderun (TR ISK): LimakPort gateway on Turkey's east Mediterranean, ~1M TEU, steel, bulk, RoRo and project cargo for SE Anatolia. Alternative: Mersin.
Main cargo airports
- İstanbul AirportIST
Istanbul Airport (IST/LTFM): about 2m tonnes of cargo in 2024, the SMARTIST terminal, customs clearance, freighter carriers and road feeder links explained.
- Istanbul Sabiha Gökçen International AirportSAW
Sabiha Gökçen Airport (SAW): Istanbul's second airport with record 2025 passenger numbers, Pegasus as main carrier, cargo terminal capacity over 90,000 tonnes.
- Esenboğa International AirportESB
Ankara Esenboğa Airport (ESB/LTAC): 125,094 t cargo in Nov 2025 (+8%), new 85,000 m² cargo apron since Jan 2026 – standard routing still runs via Istanbul.
- Adnan Menderes International AirportADB
ADB Izmir Adnan Menderes Airport, Turkey: passenger-focused, belly cargo, TAV cargo handling, nearest freighter hub Istanbul with Turkish Cargo.
Road corridors
- TIR network toward the EU via Kapıkule (Bulgarian border)
- Ro-Ro links to Trieste (Italy)
- Connection to the Middle East via Habur (Iraq)
Rail corridors
- Baku-Tbilisi-Kars (BTK) / Middle Corridor to Central Asia and China
- Istanbul-Kapıkule toward the EU
- Marmaray tunnel (Bosphorus crossing)
Main trade lanes
- Turkey-EU (Germany, Italy)
- Turkey-Russia
- Turkey-China
- Turkey-Iraq
- Turkey-USA
Customs and import
Customs authority Ticaret Bakanlığı – Gümrükler Genel Müdürlüğü (Ministry of Trade – General Directorate of Customs)Official website ↗
- Import customs system
- Electronic customs clearance via the BILGE system, linked to the Single Window (Tek Pencere). Declarations are usually submitted through customs agents.
- Export customs system
- Exports also via BILGE/Tek Pencere; for e-commerce small consignments, simplified electronic export declaration ETGB (Micro-Export).
- Import VAT
- VAT (KDV): standard rate 20 percent; reduced rates 10 and 1 percent. Collected at customs clearance.
- Proofs of origin and trade agreements
- A.TR movement certificate for free circulation in the EU Customs Union (industrial goods); EUR.1 or EUR-MED and origin declaration for originating goods under free trade agreements.
- Restricted and prohibited goods
- Prohibited/restricted: weapons and ammunition, narcotics, counterfeit goods, certain cultural property, CITES species, as well as agricultural, health and strategic goods subject to authorization.
Typical import documents
- Commercial invoice
- Packing list
- Transport document (B/L, CMR, AWB)
- Proof of origin
- A.TR (for EU Customs Union)
- Conformity/import permit (TAREKS)
Typical export documents
- Commercial invoice
- Packing list
- Export declaration
- Transport document
- A.TR or EUR.1/EUR-MED
- Certificate of origin from the Chamber of Commerce
Logistics conditions
- Customs complexity
- Medium
- Customs delays
- Medium
- Port congestion
- Low to medium
- Dangerous goods relevance
- Medium to high
- Pharma and cold chain relevance
- Medium
- E-commerce relevance
- High
Trade
Top import partners
Top export partners
Top import goods
- Mineral oils
- Machinery
- Electronics
- Vehicles
- Iron
Top export goods
- Vehicles
- Machinery
- Electronics
- Textiles
- Iron
Typical cargo
- Vehicles and parts
- Machinery
- Textiles and clothing
- Iron and steel
- Agricultural products
- Chemical products
Upcoming public holidays
- New Year's DayFri, 1 Jan 2027 · businesses closed
- National Sovereignty and Children's DayFri, 23 Apr 2027 · businesses closed
- Labour and Solidarity DaySat, 1 May 2027 · businesses closed
- Commemoration of Atatürk, Youth and Sports DayWed, 19 May 2027 · businesses closed
- Democracy and National Unity DayThu, 15 Jul 2027 · businesses closed
- Victory DayMon, 30 Aug 2027 · businesses closed
- Republic DayFri, 29 Oct 2027 · businesses closed
Latest logistics news
- Drones Strike Two Cargo Ships off Bulgaria – One Vessel Sunk6 Oct 2026
Two cargo vessels were struck by drones off the coast of Bulgaria. One ship sank, and 18 persons from the second cargo vessel were rescued. The perpetrators remain unidentified.
- A.P. Moller Capital Agrees to Majority Stake in Euroports1 Oct 2026
Euroports is to receive a new majority owner. The terminal network comprises more than 50 locations across Europe and China.
- Kazakhstan Significantly Expands Middle Corridor Between China and Europe11 Aug 2026
Kazakhstan is expanding its transport routes toward the Caspian Sea. The Middle Corridor is set to become faster and more efficient for freight movements between China and Europe.
- Saudi Arabia Establishes 14-Nation Alliance for the Red Sea3 Aug 2026
Saudi Arabia leads a 14-nation alliance to protect the Red Sea. In the short term, little is changing for shipping companies: the mission is still in the build-up phase.
Logistics questions
Is there customs-free trade between the EU and Turkey?
Through the EU Customs Union (since 1996), industrial goods and processed agricultural products in free circulation are duty-free, proven with the A.TR certificate. Basic agricultural products as well as coal and steel are excluded and are covered by separate preferential agreements.
What is the import tax (KDV) in Turkey?
VAT (KDV) is 20 percent at the standard rate, and 10 and 1 percent at reduced rates. It is collected at customs clearance on the customs value plus customs duties.
Which customs authority and system are responsible?
The Gümrükler Genel Müdürlüğü (General Directorate of Customs) of the Ministry of Trade is responsible. Processing is carried out electronically via the BILGE system, which is linked to the Single Window (Tek Pencere).
What is the A.TR movement certificate?
The A.TR certifies the duty-free status of goods in free circulation within the EU Customs Union, not their origin. For preferential origin under free trade agreements, EUR.1 or EUR-MED certificates and origin declarations are used instead.
Which ports and airports are central?
The main container ports are Ambarlı, Mersin, Aliağa, Tekirdağ/Asyaport and Kocaeli. For air cargo, Istanbul Airport (Europe's largest cargo hub), Sabiha Gökçen, Ankara and Izmir are key.
How does micro-export (ETGB) work?
Micro-export allows a simplified electronic export declaration (ETGB) for e-commerce small consignments without customs agents. Since 2026, limits of 30'000 euros and 600 kg per consignment apply.
Full logistics profile on Freight Academy ↗
Powered by Freight Academy, verified 18 Jul 2026. Logistics information, not a sanctions source.