New EU Tax Rate Implementation for Items Coming from TRNC to Turkey
Goods brought directly from the Turkish Republic of Northern Cyprus (TRNC) to Turkey will be subject to the same customs duties as those coming from European Union (EU) countries. The decision, which came into effect with the approval of President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan, was published in the Official Gazette. Accordingly, a uniform and fixed tax will be collected for goods directly coming from the TRNC that meet the criteria specified in Article 6 of the Implementation Agreement on the Regulation of Commercial Relations between Turkey and the TRNC, at the rates applied for goods coming directly from EU countries.
This regulation will apply to items brought from the TRNC to Turkey by travelers, via postal services, or through express cargo transportation, encompassing a uniform and fixed customs tax for eligible items. Travelers and those sending products will have to comply with this new tax arrangement.
Changes in customs duties and their impacts The regulation foresees that goods from the TRNC will be assessed at the same tax rate as those from EU countries. Items brought by travelers, via post or cargo, will be subject to the customs duty rate applicable to goods from EU countries. This development signifies a significant change, especially for small-scale traders and travelers.
In line with recent regulations, taxes on products ordered from abroad to Turkey have also increased, and the shopping limit has been lowered from 150 euros to 30 euros. For goods listed in the Special Consumption Tax Law, a 30% tax rate will be applied to those coming from EU countries, while a 60% tax will apply to products from other countries. For purchases exceeding 30 euros, customs brokerage services will be required.
How will the new regulation work? With this new regulation, goods arriving from the TRNC will now be processed at customs like those from EU countries. With changes in the Customs Law, for purchases exceeding 30 euros, shipping costs will be added to the value of the goods. The Ministry of Trade has been authorized to increase quantity and value limits, while additional customs duties will be applied to products exceeding 30 kilograms.
To ensure smooth customs procedures, companies engaged in postal and express cargo transportation will be authorized as indirect representatives and will be monitored by customs brokers. The new regulation aims to ensure that all these processes are managed effectively and orderly.