What Is Customs Duty?

“What is customs duty?” is a question frequently asked by people who purchase goods from abroad. In short, customs duty refers to the taxes assessed by the Customs Administration when goods enter or leave our country.

The authority responsible for collecting these taxes is also the Customs Administration. This authority is granted to the institution through the relevant articles of the Customs Law No. 4458. Tax rates are likewise determined by law. Accordingly, taxes are imposed on incoming or outgoing goods in line with legal provisions. Some products, however, may be exempt from customs duties when passing through customs.

In addition to companies, individuals who shop from abroad or have products brought into the country are also responsible for paying customs duties. Since customs duties may apply to products of all sizes, from small to large, consulting a customs broker is generally the most reasonable option, especially for large product transfers.

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1.1. How Much Is Customs Duty?

Customs duty rates are quite detailed. The question “How much is customs duty?” can be summarized roughly as follows:

There are two taxation brackets. Products exceeding €1,500 are taxed differently from those that do not exceed this amount.

For products not exceeding €1,500, a tax of 30% is applied to goods coming from European Union member countries, while a tax of 60% is applied to goods coming from other countries. If the value of the product exceeds €1,500, additional taxes may apply. Goods subject to customs may be held at customs, in which case you can only receive your product by personally applying and completing the necessary payments.

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1.2. How Is Customs Duty Paid?

Today, customs duty payments can be made through Ziraat Bankası, Türkiye Halk Bankası, Türkiye Vakıflar Bankası, Ziraat Katılım Bankası, and Vakıf Katılım Bankası. In addition, payments can also be made via shared POS devices located at the accounting offices within customs administrations.

Payments can also be made using the bank card called “Gümkart,” provided by VakıfBank, via shared POS devices. These public banks have been authorized to collect payments as of 01.06.2020. Since changes may occur in the future, we recommend checking payment points before making a payment to avoid wasting time.

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1.3. Customs Duty Calculation Method

Although customs duties have increased significantly in recent periods, the calculation method is based on the tariff in effect at the time the goods enter customs during importation. The calculation is made using a simple formula, which can be defined as: value of goods + freight + insurance. Generally, if the product entering customs exceeds a certain value, it may be subject to additional taxes.

No tax is collected on printed materials valued up to €30. Tax rates also vary depending on the country of origin of the goods. Since customs duties differ by product, it is difficult to provide precise tax definitions. In some cases, goods at customs may be returned, destroyed, or held while the recipient is informed. When goods are held, high storage (demurrage) costs may arise, posing a significant financial risk.

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1.4. Factors Affecting Customs Duty

There are various reasons why customs duties are assessed within certain ranges. The factors affecting customs duty are numerous. Prices may vary depending on whether passengers bring goods with them or whether goods are shipped via express cargo. There are also cases where no tax is collected on goods purchased for the state.

Taxes may be applied to electronic products brought in for commercial purposes, as well as to products brought in individually but potentially subject to trade. Household goods are another category subject to customs duties. Although personal belongings carried by individuals are generally not taxed, some items may be exempt. Certain tax exemptions may also apply to agricultural products and processed goods. Additional taxes may apply to some consumer goods and cosmetic products.

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1.5. What Is GTIP? GTIP Inquiry

GTIP stands for Customs Tariff Statistical Position. For those wondering “What is GTIP?” and “How is GTIP queried?”, this code consists of 12 digits and is used to identify products subject to international trade. It is also used to obtain information about the nature of goods arriving at customs. The codes are based on a harmonized system.

The first 6 digits are determined by this system, and countries cannot intervene in these digits. The following 2 digits represent the region code, and the last 2 digits indicate the statistical code of the goods. To find the GTIP code, you can use the TÜİK website. By entering the product name in the search field within the site’s definitions section and selecting the most up-to-date list, you can easily access current codes.

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