Maps and products including map information
- 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.
For the importation of all kinds of printed maps and hydrographical maps, including atlases, topography plans and globes that are classified under the Harmonized System Code 49.05:
- The approval of the Commandership of Maritime Forces for importation of sea maps.
- The approval of the Ministry of National Defense, the General Commandership of Cartography, for importation of other items included in the Communiqué is required for the registration of the Customs Declaration form.
Purposes and Coverage of Licensing
Q2. Identify each licensing system maintained and state what products, appropriately grouped, are covered.
Please see Products "Maps and products including map information"
| HS Code | Description |
|---|---|
| 49.051 | Maps and hydrographical or similar charts of all kinds, including atlases, wall maps, topographical plans and globes, printed |
| 85.231 | Only for including every kind (disc, tape, floppy disc, CD, DVD etc.) and size digital map and map information (atlases, wall maps, electronic navigational maps, topographical plans and globes) recorded on magnetic or optical media |
Notes:
1 For the cadastral maps, there is no requirement of certificate of conformity. Certificate of conformity is required for all other kinds of goods including map information (books, magazine, jigsaw puzzle, beach ball, panel, tray, t-shirt etc.)
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?
Neither of the approvals of the said Commanderships is intended to restrict the quantity or the value of importation of the goods. The purpose is to provide correct and accurate information to the public.
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 mentioned in the Import Communiqué: (Import Communiqué 2024/5) published in the Official Gazette of 31 December 2023, No. 32416bis. The Communiqué is available at the https://www.resmigazete.gov.tr/eskiler/2023/12/20231231M3-9.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)?
Before the importation process is carried out, the originals or copies of the maps and products including map information that are being imported shall be sent to Authorities mentioned above to be inspected. Importation of map and products including map information can be carried out after the approval of the import licence. Likewise, for the products arriving at the port without approval, the licence approval must be obtained for the importation of the product.
Q7.b. Can a licence be granted immediately on request?
Following the submission of products to the Authorities with an application, the inspection and approval process starts. The duration of the inspection may change depending on workload.
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?
For the importation of all kinds of printed maps and hydrographical maps, including atlases, topography plans and globes are required to obtain approval of the General Commandership of Cartography is required while the approval of Commandership of Maritime Forces is required for importation of sea maps.
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?
Approval may not be given if maps and products including map information to be imported are found to be faulty as a result of the examination in order to prevent the production and usage of maps that are not suitable regarding the borders and geographical names of the countries. The reason for rejection shall be notified to the applicant via an official letter.
The applicant may submit an objection to the above-mentioned Authorities with an official letter, together with the reasons of objection. The Authorities 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?
Two originals or copies of each product to be examined together with the application letter should be sent with two CDs or DVDs for numerical data.
Q11. What documents are required upon actual importation?
Q12. Is there any licensing fee or administrative charge? If so, what is the amount of the fee or charge?
The fee for the map inspection and examination service for the product requested for approval is 380,00 TL per hour and this fee varies depending on the intensity of the data and inspection period. The hourly map inspection fee is re-determined by the Authorities every year.
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?
Import approval shall be obtained for each product to be imported. The validity of a license can not be extended.
Q15. Is there any penalty for the non-utilization of a licence or a portion of a licence?
There is no penalty for non-use or partial use of a license.
Q16. Are licences transferable between importers? If so, are any limitations or conditions attached to such transfer?
Licenses are not transferable among importers.
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?
There are no other conditions for an import license other than those mentioned above.
Other Procedural Requirements
Q18. Are there any other administrative procedures, apart from import licensing and similar administrative procedures, required prior to importation?
No.