Exporting from Syria to Turkey
The agreement that applies, the expected duty, and what each side asks for — for factories in Syria selling to buyers in Turkey.
Expected duty in Turkey: Industrial goods follow the EU common external tariff and enter duty-free from the EU, EFTA and FTA partners with valid origin proof. Goods from non-FTA countries often also pay an additional customs duty (İGV) set by Presidential decision and changed several times a year. Special consumption tax (ÖTV) applies to fuel, vehicles, alcohol, tobacco and some luxury goods.
VAT — Turkey: 20% KDV (VAT); reduced 10% and 1%
Other agreements (not applied): TR–SY FTA (Suspended)
⚠ Before you trade
- Additional duties change often
The additional customs duty decision was amended several times in 2025 alone. Check the current İGV rate for your HS code and origin on the Ministry of Trade site before signing a contract.
Source ↗ - Partners re-imposed duties on Turkish goods
Turkish exporters should note that Morocco (2020) and Tunisia (2023) amended their FTAs to charge duties again on many Turkish industrial goods, especially textiles and clothing. Check the buyer country's current rate before quoting.
Source ↗ - Sanctions mostly lifted – some limits remain
The UK (April 2025) and EU (May 2025) lifted most economic sanctions; the US ended its Syria sanctions programme from 1 July 2025, repealed the Caesar Act in December 2025 and removed the terrorism-sponsor listing on 24 August 2026. Sanctions on listed persons remain, and some US-origin items still need export licences.
Source ↗ - Banking and payments are still difficult
Syrian banks are cautious: expect delays, extra due-diligence questions and transfer limits, and correspondent banking is limited. Screen your buyer against sanctions lists, use secure payment terms, and consider euro or regional-currency channels.
Source ↗ - Rules change often
Customs law, tariff, import lists and the authorities themselves changed in 2025–2026 and are still being updated. Always confirm current requirements with a licensed Syrian clearing agent before shipping.
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Importing into Turkey
- Import Regime Decision and customs
Duties and import rules are set in the Import Regime Decision, published each 31 December and in force from 1 January. Customs is part of the Ministry of Trade; declarations are filed electronically (BİLGE system) with the permits and conformity certificates the product needs.
Source ↗ - TAREKS conformity control
TAREKS is the Ministry of Trade's risk-based electronic system for product safety and technical-rule checks at import. From 2026 a TAREKS application is mandatory for all covered product groups and fixed out-of-scope reference numbers were abolished; CE marking and samples may be checked.
Source ↗ - Additional customs duty (İGV / EK GV)
Many goods pay an additional customs duty when they come from "other countries". Imports from the EU or FTA partners avoid it only with valid preferential origin proof; the importer is responsible for declaring origin correctly.
Source ↗ - Import surveillance
Some products are under import surveillance: the importer must get a surveillance document from the Ministry of Trade before clearance. The product lists are published in Official Gazette communiqués and updated several times a year (2026 included).
Source ↗ - Origin proof from Arab partners
Goods from Tunisia, Morocco, Egypt and Palestine get FTA rates with EUR.1 or EUR-MED certificates. Turkey is not in GAFTA and its FTAs with Jordan and Syria are no longer applied, so goods from other Arab countries need only a general certificate of origin and pay full rates.
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