Turkey is a major trading partner for the United Kingdom, with bilateral trade valued at over £23 billion in 2024. The UK–Turkey Free Trade Agreement, which took effect in 2021, provides preferential tariff treatment for a wide range of goods, making Turkey an increasingly attractive sourcing destination.
Turkey is one of the United Kingdom’s most important near-sourcing trade partners, with bilateral trade exceeding £23 billion annually. The UK–Turkey Free Trade Agreement, effective since January 2021, provides preferential tariff treatment for a wide range of goods, making Turkey an increasingly competitive alternative to Far East sourcing. Key imports from Turkey include textiles and garments, automotive vehicles and parts, steel products, electrical equipment, and agricultural goods.
Gxpresss provides expert customs clearance services for Turkish imports, with specialist knowledge of the UK–Turkey FTA and customs union provisions. We ensure you claim the correct preferential duty rates by verifying EUR.1 certificates and A.TR movement documents, potentially saving your business thousands of pounds per shipment. Our brokers handle all HMRC declarations and compliance requirements on your behalf.
Turkey’s geographic proximity to the UK opens up multiple freight options. Our sea freight services from Istanbul, Mersin, and Izmir offer transit times of just 12–18 days — significantly shorter than Far East routes. For urgent cargo, air freight from Istanbul arrives in 1–2 days. Road freight via the Channel Tunnel provides a competitive door-to-door option in 5–8 days, ideal for full and part trailer loads.
Whether you are importing Turkish textiles for high street retail, automotive components for manufacturing, or food products for the UK market, Gxpresss delivers a seamless end-to-end service. From FTA eligibility assessment and freight booking to customs clearance and UK-wide delivery, we simplify the entire import process so you can focus on growing your business.
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Get a Quote +44 207 993 6953Essential documents you will need when importing goods from Turkey into the United Kingdom.
Detailed invoice from the Turkish supplier showing full goods description, HS codes, values, quantities, and agreed Incoterms. Must align with the EUR.1 or origin declaration if claiming preferential rates.
Required to claim preferential duty rates under the UK–Turkey Free Trade Agreement. The EUR.1 certificate is issued by the Turkish customs authority; alternatively, an origin declaration on the invoice is accepted for lower-value consignments.
Transport document appropriate to the shipping method. Road freight from Turkey uses a CMR (Convention Relative au Contrat de Transport International de Marchandises par Route) consignment note.
Comprehensive list of all goods in the shipment with package details, weights, dimensions, and identifying marks.
Used for goods in free circulation that qualify under the customs union between Turkey and the EU/UK. Provides proof of customs union status for industrial goods.
Turkish goods must meet UK product standards. Relevant certificates include UKCA declarations of conformity, test reports, and sector-specific certifications.
The UK–Turkey Free Trade Agreement (FTA), effective since January 2021, provides preferential tariff rates on qualifying goods of Turkish origin. Industrial goods may also benefit from the customs union provisions carried over from the EU–Turkey Customs Union. To claim preferential rates, importers must present a valid EUR.1 certificate or origin declaration. Goods not qualifying for preferential treatment are subject to the standard UK Global Tariff rates. Standard UK VAT at 20% applies to all imports.
Gxpresss handles all duty calculations and HMRC submissions on your behalf, ensuring you pay the correct amount with no surprises.
Get a Duty Estimate| Category | Typical Duty Rate | VAT |
|---|---|---|
| Textiles & Clothing | 0% (with EUR.1) | 20% |
| Automotive Parts | 0% (with A.TR) | 20% |
| Steel & Metal Products | 0–2.2% (FTA rate) | 20% |
| Food & Agricultural Products | 0–20% (partial FTA coverage) | 0–20% (varies) |
| Ceramics & Glass | 0–5% (FTA rate) | 20% |
| Electrical Equipment | 0% (with EUR.1) | 20% |
| Furniture | 0% (with EUR.1) | 20% |
| Dried Fruits & Nuts | 0–8% | 0% |
Rates are indicative and may vary. Contact us for exact calculations.
Estimated shipping times depending on your chosen freight method.
From Istanbul, Mersin, or Izmir via the Mediterranean to UK ports. Shorter transit than Far East routes, making Turkey a competitive near-sourcing option.
Direct flights from Istanbul to London, Manchester, and Edinburgh. Excellent for urgent shipments and high-value goods.
Direct road haulage from Turkey through Europe and the Channel Tunnel to the UK. Cost-effective for full and part loads with door-to-door service.
How Gxpresss manages your import from Turkey to the UK.
Agree terms with your Turkish supplier and determine whether goods qualify for preferential treatment under the UK–Turkey FTA. This assessment affects duty costs significantly.
Request the appropriate origin or movement certificate from your supplier. This must be obtained from Turkish customs before shipment and presented at UK import.
Ensure your UK EORI number is valid and verify all product compliance requirements, including UKCA marking and sector-specific regulations.
Choose from sea, air, or road freight options. Turkey’s proximity to the UK makes road freight a viable and popular choice for many importers.
Gxpresss submits your customs declaration to HMRC, claiming the preferential FTA rate where applicable and ensuring correct duty and VAT calculation.
Once cleared, goods are released from the port or Channel Tunnel terminal and delivered to your specified UK address through our logistics network.
Factors that affect the total cost of importing from Turkey to the UK.
Sea freight from Turkey averages £800–£2,200 per 20ft container. Road freight costs approximately £2,000–£3,500 for a full trailer load, offering competitive door-to-door rates.
Many Turkish goods enter the UK duty-free under the FTA or customs union provisions. Without a valid EUR.1/A.TR certificate, standard UKGT rates apply, which can be significant.
Standard 20% VAT is payable on all imports regardless of FTA status. Food items may qualify for zero or reduced VAT rates depending on the product type.
Ensure your supplier provides correct EUR.1 or A.TR certificates. Incorrect or missing origin documentation means paying full UKGT duty rates instead of preferential rates.
Gxpresss customs clearance fees include FTA preference assessment, duty calculation, declaration preparation, and submission to HMRC on your behalf.
Road freight from Turkey transits through Bulgaria, Serbia or Romania, Hungary, Austria, Germany, and France before entering the UK via the Channel Tunnel or ferry crossings.
Common questions about importing goods from Turkey to the UK.
Let our experts handle the customs, documentation, and logistics. Get started with a free consultation.
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