High intensity sweeteners
- Document symbol
- G/LIC/N/3/TUR/21
- Original language
- English
- Published on
- 08/07/2024
Outline of Systems
Q1. Give a brief description of each licensing system as a whole and, with respect to each, reply to the following questions as relevant, placing all of the material with respect to a given system in sequence together, and using cross references as appropriate when elements which have already been described are also present in another system.
The approval by the Republic of Türkiye Ministry of Agriculture and Forestry is required for the imports of goods listed below.
Purposes and Coverage of Licensing
Q2. Identify each licensing system maintained and state what products, appropriately grouped, are covered.
Product coverage:
| HS Code | Description |
|---|---|
| 2924.29.70.00.32 | Aspartam (Aspartil fenilalanin metil ester) |
| 2924.29.70.00.34 | Neotam |
| 2924.29.70.00.36 | Advantam |
| 2925.11.00.10.00 | Saccharin |
| 2925.11.00.20.11 | Sodium Saccharin |
| 2925.11.00.20.19 | Salt of Saccharin other than sodium saccharin |
| 2929.90.00.00.13 | Sodium cyclamate |
| 2929.90.00.00.14 | Calcium cyclamate |
| 2929.90.00.00.17 | Cyclamic acid |
| 2932.14.00.00.00 | Sucralose |
| 2934.99.90.90.14 | Acesulfame-K(6-methyl-1,2,3-oxatiasin-4(3H)one-2,2-dioxide potassium salt) |
| 2934.99.90.90.21 | Aspartame Acesulfame Salt |
| 2938.90.90.90.14 | Neohesperidin dihidrokalkon (NHDC) |
| 2938.90.90.90.15 | Steviol glycosides |
| 3504.00.90.00.11 | Thaumatine |
| 3824.99.93.00.13 | Mixture of high-intensity sweeteners matter |
Q3. The system applies to goods originating in and coming from which countries?
The system applies to goods imported from all countries.
Q4. Is the licensing intended to restrict the quantity or value of imports, and if not, what are its purposes? Have alternative methods of accomplishing the purposes been considered and if so which? Why have they not been adopted?
The approval of the Republic of Türkiye Ministry of Agriculture and Forestry is not intended to restrict the quantity or value of importation of goods. The purpose is to monitor the impact of High Intensity Sweeteners (HIS) importation on the Turkish sugar market, for statistical purpose.
Q5. Cite the law, regulation and/or administrative order under which the licensing is maintained. Is the licensing statutorily required? Does the legislation leave designation of products to be subjected to licensing to administrative discretion? Is it possible for the government (or the executive branch) to abolish the system without legislative approval?
The procedure is in the Communiqué (Import Communiqué: 2024/4) published in the Official Gazette of 31 December 2023, No. 32416 bis. The Communiqué is available at the https://www.resmigazete.gov.tr/eskiler/2023/12/20231231M3-8.pdf website link. It is possible for the Government to abolish the system without legislative approval.
Procedures
Q6. For products under restriction as to the quantity or value of imports (whether applicable globally or to a limited number of countries or whether established bilaterally or unilaterally):
Q6.I. Is information published, and where, concerning allocation of quotas and formalities of filing applications for licences? If not, how is it brought to the attention of possible importers? Of governments and export promotion bodies of exporting countries and their trade representatives? Is the overall amount published? The amount allocated to goods from each country? The maximum amount allocated to each importer? How to request any exceptions or derogations from the licensing requirement?
Q6.II. How is the size of the quotas determined: on a yearly, six-monthly or quarterly basis? Are there cases where the size of quota is determined on a yearly basis but licences are issued for imports on a six-monthly or quarterly basis? In the latter case, is it necessary for importers to apply for fresh licence on a six-monthly or quarterly basis?
Q6.III. Are licences allotted for certain goods partly or only to domestic producers of like goods? What steps are taken to ensure that licences allocated are actually used for imports? Are unused allocations added to quotas for a succeeding period? Are the names of importers to whom licences have been allocated made known to governments and export promotion bodies of exporting countries upon request? If not, for what reason? (Indicate products to which replies relate.)
Q6.IV. From the time of announcing the opening of quotas, as indicated in I above, what is the period of time allowed for the submission of applications for licences?
Q6.V. What are the minimum and maximum lengths of time for processing applications?
Q6.VI. How much time remains, at a minimum, between the granting of licences and the date of opening of the period of importation?
Q6.VII. Is consideration of licence applications effected by a single administrative organ? Or must the application be passed on to other organs for visa, note or approval? If so, which? Does the importer have to approach more than one administrative organ?
Q6.VIII. If the demand for licences cannot be fully satisfied, on what basis is the allocation to applicants made? First come, first served? Past performance? Is there a maximum amount to be allocated per applicant and, if so, on what basis is it determined? What provision is made for new importers? Are applications examined simultaneously or on receipt?
Q6.IX. In the case of bilateral quotas or export restraint arrangements where export permits are issued by exporting countries, are import licences also required? If so, are licences issued automatically?
Q6.X. In cases where imports are allowed on the basis of export permits only, how is the importing country informed of the effect given by the exporting countries to the understanding between the two countries?
Q6.XI. Are there products for which licences are issued on condition that goods should be exported and not sold in the domestic market?
Q7. Where there is no quantitative limit on importation of a product or on imports from a particular country:
Q7.a. How far in advance of importation must application for a licence be made? Can licences be obtained within a shorter time-limit or for goods arriving at the port without a licence (for example, owing to inadvertency)?
Applications for approval shall be made to Ministry of Agriculture and Forestry at least 10 days in advance of importation.
Q7.b. Can a licence be granted immediately on request?
Applications for license are issued within ten working days, if requested application documents are complete.
Q7.c. Are there any limitations as to the period of the year during which application for licence and/or importation may be made? If so, explain.
There is no limitation. Applications for approval can be made any time during the year.
Q7.d. Is consideration of licence applications effected by a single administrative organ? Or must the application be passed on to other organs for visa, note or approval? If so, which? Does the importer have to approach more than one administrative organ?
The assessment of applications is carried out by a single administrative organ, Republic of Türkiye Ministry of Agriculture and Forestry
Q8. Under what circumstances may an application for a licence be refused other than failure to meet the ordinary criteria? Are the reasons for any refusal given to the applicant? Have applicants a right of appeal in the event of refusal to issue a licence and, if so, to what bodies and under what procedures?
Application for approval may be rejected in case information or documents requested by administrative authority are incomplete. The reason for the rejection shall be notified to the applicant via the electronic system.
The applicant may submit an objection to the Ministry with an official letter, together with the reasons of objection. The Ministry may review the objections and reasons within the framework of the provisions of the legislation in force and re-evaluate the application.
No appeal procedures are specified in provisions of the legislation in force. However, all actions and procedures of the administration is subject to judicial remedy in the constitution.
Eligibility of Importers to Apply for Licence
Q9. Are all persons, firms and institutions eligible to apply for licences: (If not, is there a system of registration of persons or firms permitted to engage in importation? What persons or firms are eligible? Is there a registration fee? Is there a published list of authorized importers?) a) under restrictive licensing systems? b) under non-restrictive systems?
All importers are eligible to apply for licence.
Documentational and Other Requirements for Application for Licence
Q10. What information is required in applications? Submit a sample form. What documents is the importer required to supply with the application?
Requested documents from importers to submit for an application for license are as follows:
- Commercial invoice or proforma invoice certified by the Consulate of Republic of Türkiye.
- Drug prospectus and custom exemption letter for pharmaceutical applications. In addition, the information on the application form shall be completed.
Q11. What documents are required upon actual importation?
One copy of the document, which comprises the approval of the Republic of Türkiye Ministry of Agriculture and Forestry, shall be annexed to the Customs Declaration form.
Q12. Is there any licensing fee or administrative charge? If so, what is the amount of the fee or charge?
No.
Q13. Is there any deposit or advance payment requirement associated with the issue of licences? If so, state the amount or rate, whether it is refundable, the period of retention and the purpose of the requirement.
No.
Conditions of Licensing
Q14. What is the period of validity of a licence? Can the validity of a licence be extended? How?
The validity of licence is six months and this period can not be extended.
Q15. Is there any penalty for the non-utilization of a licence or a portion of a licence?
No.
Q16. Are licences transferable between importers? If so, are any limitations or conditions attached to such transfer?
No.
Q17. Are any other conditions attached to the issue of a licence? a) for products subject to quantitative restriction? b) for products not subject to quantitative restriction?
No.
Other Procedural Requirements
Q18. Are there any other administrative procedures, apart from import licensing and similar administrative procedures, required prior to importation?
There are no quantitative restrictions or other conditions attached to the issue of a licence.