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Importing from Turkey to the UK

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.

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£23B+
Bilateral Trade (2024)
12–18 Days
Average Sea Transit
Textiles & Vehicles
Top Import Categories
FTA Active
UK–Turkey Trade Agreement

Why do UK businesses import from Turkey?

Turkey is the UK's leading near-sourcing alternative to the Far East, with bilateral trade above £23 billion a year. Textiles and garments, vehicles and parts, steel, electrical equipment and agricultural goods dominate. The UK-Turkey Free Trade Agreement, in force since January 2021, gives qualifying goods preferential duty rates.

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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Turkish imports are entered by an HMRC-registered customs broker who claims the FTA preferential rate where the goods qualify.

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What documents do you need to import from Turkey to the UK?

Six documents clear a Turkish import into the UK: commercial invoice, EUR.1 movement certificate or origin declaration, bill of lading, air waybill or CMR note, packing list, A.TR movement certificate for industrial goods, and a conformity certificate. The preference documents are what remove the duty.

Gxpresss prepares and checks each of these as part of its Turkey import documentation service, so the invoice, packing list and transport document agree before the consignment reaches customs.

Essential documents you will need when importing goods from Turkey into the United Kingdom.

Commercial Invoice

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.

EUR.1 Movement Certificate or Origin Declaration

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.

Bill of Lading / Airway Bill / CMR Note

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.

Packing List

Comprehensive list of all goods in the shipment with package details, weights, dimensions, and identifying marks.

A.TR Movement Certificate

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.

Conformity Certificate

Turkish goods must meet UK product standards. Relevant certificates include UKCA declarations of conformity, test reports, and sector-specific certifications.

How much duty and VAT do you pay importing from Turkey?

Qualifying Turkish goods enter the UK at 0% duty under the UK-Turkey FTA, but only against a valid EUR.1 certificate, origin declaration or A.TR movement certificate. Without them, standard UK Global Tariff rates apply — up to 12% on clothing. Steel runs 0-2.2% and ceramics 0-5%. Import VAT is 20%.

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.

Check My Duty Rate UK customs clearance cost guide →
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.

How long does shipping from Turkey to the UK take?

Road freight from Turkey reaches the UK in 5-8 days, and sea freight from Istanbul, Mersin or Izmir takes 12-18 days via the Mediterranean. Air freight arrives in 1-2 days. Transit is markedly shorter than Far East routes, which is the core commercial argument for near-sourcing from Turkey.

Estimated shipping times depending on your chosen freight method.

12–18 days
Sea Freight (FCL/LCL)

From Istanbul, Mersin, or Izmir via the Mediterranean to UK ports. Shorter transit than Far East routes, making Turkey a competitive near-sourcing option.

1–2 days
Air Freight

Direct flights from Istanbul to London, Manchester, and Edinburgh. Excellent for urgent shipments and high-value goods.

5–8 days
Road Freight (TIR)

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 do you import goods from Turkey to the UK?

Importing from Turkey takes six steps: confirm FTA preference eligibility and the certificate the goods need, book road or sea freight, hold a GB EORI number, classify the goods, file the import declaration through CDS with the preference claim, then pay any duty plus 20% VAT.

How Gxpresss manages your import from Turkey to the UK.

1

Supplier Agreement & FTA Assessment

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.

2

Obtain EUR.1 or A.TR Certificate

Request the appropriate origin or movement certificate from your supplier. This must be obtained from Turkish customs before shipment and presented at UK import.

3

EORI Registration & Compliance Check

Ensure your UK EORI number is valid and verify all product compliance requirements, including UKCA marking and sector-specific regulations.

4

Book Freight via Gxpresss

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.

5

Customs Declaration with FTA Preference

Gxpresss submits your customs declaration to HMRC, claiming the preferential FTA rate where applicable and ensuring correct duty and VAT calculation.

6

Goods Release & UK Distribution

Once cleared, goods are released from the port or Channel Tunnel terminal and delivered to your specified UK address through our logistics network.

What does it cost to import from Turkey to the UK?

Landed cost from Turkey combines goods value, freight, duty, 20% import VAT and clearance. Sea freight averages £800-£2,200 per 20ft container and a full trailer load costs roughly £2,000-£3,500 door to door. Preference documentation is the largest single lever on the duty line.

Factors that affect the total cost of importing from Turkey to the UK.

Freight Charges

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.

Customs Duties

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.

VAT (20%)

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.

Origin Documentation

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.

Customs Brokerage

Gxpresss customs clearance fees include FTA preference assessment, duty calculation, declaration preparation, and submission to HMRC on your behalf.

Road Freight Costs

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.

Which Incoterm should you use with Turkish suppliers?

Turkish suppliers quote EXW and DAP on road freight. Either way, the A.TR movement certificate decides whether you pay duty at all.

EXW (Ex Works)

You collect from the factory in Istanbul, Bursa or Denizli and carry cost and risk from there. The risk that costs money is documentary: under EXW the supplier has no contractual obligation to issue the A.TR certificate, and without it industrial goods lose Customs Union preference and attract the full UK Global Tariff rate.

DAP (Delivered at Place)

The supplier clears the goods for export, arranges the road or sea leg and delivers to your UK address, leaving you the UK import declaration, duty and VAT. Write the A.TR requirement into the purchase order regardless of the term — it is the document, not the Incoterm, that protects the 0% rate on industrial goods.

Textiles and agricultural goods sit outside the Customs Union and need an EUR.1 or origin statement instead. Gxpresss checks which certificate your goods need before shipment.

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What is the total landed cost of a shipment from Turkey?

On a £9,500 FOB Istanbul textile consignment moving by full trailer, the customs value reaches £11,638 after £2,100 freight and £38 insurance. With a valid EUR.1 certificate duty is £0 and import VAT at 20% adds £2,327.60. Without it, standard MFN duty applies to the whole consignment.

A real shipment structure — textiles, road freight, Istanbul to UK, claiming the UK-Turkey FTA preferential rate with a EUR.1 certificate.

Goods value (FOB Istanbul)£9,500
Road freight (Istanbul–UK, full trailer)£2,100
Insurance (0.4%)£38
Customs value (CIF)£11,638
Duty @ 0% (EUR.1 preference certificate applied)£0
Import VAT @ 20% on CIF value£2,327.60
Customs brokerage fee£55
Total landed cost£14,020.60

Without a valid EUR.1 (or supplier's declaration for lower-value shipments), the same goods would attract standard MFN duty instead of 0% — the certificate alone saves several hundred pounds on a shipment this size. Ask us to check your supplier's paperwork before goods ship.

What can't you import from Turkey to the UK?

Five categories cause problems on Turkish imports: counterfeit textiles and footwear, unregistered electricals without UKCA or CE marking, processed food and agricultural products needing SPS certification, steel products outside the FTA quota, and any goods shipped without valid EUR.1 or A.TR preference documentation.

Check these before you commit to an order.

  • Counterfeit textiles and footwear — brand-infringing goods are a common seizure category on this corridor and are destroyed, not just delayed.
  • Unregistered electricals — need UKCA (or transitional CE) marking before entering the UK market.
  • Processed food and agricultural products — subject to phytosanitary checks and Border Target Operating Model (BTOM) documentary requirements; some categories require pre-notification via IPAFFS.
  • Steel products outside FTA quota — safeguard duty applies once the tariff-rate quota for the category is exhausted.
  • Goods without valid preference documentation — claiming 0% FTA duty without a valid EUR.1 or A.TR movement certificate risks the declaration being rejected and duty applied retrospectively.

Unsure whether your goods qualify for FTA preference? Get a free pre-shipment compliance check.

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Importing from Turkey — FAQ

Common questions about importing goods from Turkey to the UK.

Yes. The UK–Turkey Free Trade Agreement has been in effect since January 2021, providing preferential tariff rates on qualifying goods. Additionally, industrial goods benefit from customs union provisions. To claim preferential rates, a EUR.1 movement certificate or origin declaration must be presented at import.

Yes. Road freight from Turkey to the UK is a popular and cost-effective option, typically taking 5–8 days. Goods travel via the TIR (Transports Internationaux Routiers) system, passing through Europe and entering the UK via the Channel Tunnel or ferry. Gxpresss arranges full and part load road freight from all major Turkish cities.

An A.TR certificate is a customs document that confirms goods are in free circulation within the Turkey–EU/UK customs union. It allows qualifying industrial goods to move between Turkey and the UK without paying customs duties. It is different from a EUR.1 certificate, which is used for goods qualifying under the FTA’s rules of origin.

Yes. Food and agricultural imports from Turkey are subject to Sanitary and Phytosanitary (SPS) controls at UK Border Control Posts. Products such as dried fruits, nuts, and fresh produce may require phytosanitary certificates and are subject to documentary and identity checks. Gxpresss handles all border control documentation and liaison.

Savings vary significantly by product type. For textiles and clothing, the FTA can eliminate duties that would otherwise be 6.5–12%. For automotive parts and electrical goods, the saving can be the full standard UKGT rate. Gxpresss provides free FTA eligibility assessments to help you understand the potential savings for your specific product range.

Yes. A GB EORI number is mandatory for every commercial import into the United Kingdom, regardless of origin country or shipment value. Registration is free through HMRC and usually completes within a week. Without a valid EORI on the declaration your goods cannot be cleared and will accrue storage and demurrage charges at the port or airport while you apply. Gxpresss can check your EORI status before your first shipment leaves Turkey.

Import VAT at 20% is reclaimable by VAT-registered UK businesses on their next VAT return, either against the C79 certificate HMRC issues or through postponed VAT accounting, which lets you account for the VAT on the return rather than paying it at the border and improves cash flow. Customs duty is never reclaimable — it is a real cost, which is why correct commodity code classification matters more than most importers expect.

An incorrect commodity code means you pay the wrong duty. If you underpay, HMRC can issue a retrospective demand covering up to three years plus interest and penalties. If you overpay, the money is recoverable but only if you spot it and file a claim. Incorrect codes also trigger inspections, which hold cargo at the border and generate storage charges. Gxpresss classifies goods before shipment so the code is settled before it becomes expensive.

Many do under the UK-Turkey free trade agreement, but you must hold valid proof of origin — normally an EUR.1 movement certificate or an origin declaration from your Turkish supplier. Without that document the shipment is charged at full UK Global Tariff rates, and the difference on textiles and white goods is substantial. Ask your supplier to confirm they can issue proof of origin before you agree terms.

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