Vehicles
- 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 imports of vehicles indicated below, the requirement by the Customs Authorities of a pro forma invoice certified by the Ministry of Industry and Technology or other organizations authorized by the Ministry (Technical visa) was removed. However, the approval of the Ministry of Industry and Technology or Turkish Standard Institution (TSI) authorized by the Ministry continues to be required for the importation of the vehicles below.
Purposes and Coverage of Licensing
Q2. Identify each licensing system maintained and state what products, appropriately grouped, are covered.
Product coverage:
| HS Codes | Description |
|---|---|
| 8701.21 | With only compression-ignition internal combustion piston engine (diesel or semi-diesel) |
| 8701.22 | With both compression-ignition internal combustion piston engine (diesel or semi-diesel) and electric motor as motors for propulsion |
| 8701.23 | With both spark-ignition internal combustion piston engine and electric motor as motors for propulsion |
| 8701.24 | With only electric motor for propulsion |
| 8701.29 | Other |
| 8701.91.10 | Agricultural tractors and forestry tractors, wheeled |
| 8701.92.10 | |
| 8701.93.10 | |
| 8701.94.10 | |
| 8701.95.10 | |
| 87.02 | Motor vehicles for the transport of ten or more persons, including the driver |
| 87.03 | Motor cars and other motor vehicles principally designed for the transport of persons (other than those of heading 87.02) (other than go-kart cars) (Except vehicles for search and rescue / emergency response with 8703.10.11.00.00 HS code) including station wagons and racing cars |
| 87.04 | Motor vehicles for the transport of goods |
| 87.05 | Special purpose motor vehicles, other than those principally designed for the transport of persons or goods (for example, breakdown lorries, crane lorries, firefighting vehicles, concrete-mixer lorries, road sweeper lorries, spraying lorries, mobile workshops, mobile radiological units) |
| 87.11 | Motorcycles (including mopeds) and cycles fitted with an auxiliary motor (with or without side‑cars) side-cars |
| 87.16 | Trailers and semi-trailers; other vehicles, not mechanically propelled; parts thereof (other than 8716.20.00.00.00; 8716.80;8716.90) |
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?
Certification of the Ministry is not intended to restrict the quantity or the value of importation of the goods. The purpose is to assure the importation of vehicles which are suitable for highways.
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 2024/7) published in the Official Gazette of 31 December 2023, No. 32416 bis. The Communiqué is available at the https://www.resmigazete.gov.tr/eskiler/2023/12/20231231M3-11.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)?
Since the products are subject to physical examination, it is not possible to give license without application and examination process. Since the products are subject to inspection, there is no advantage for the importer to apply before the products arrive at the site.
Q7.b. Can a licence be granted immediately on request?
Since the products are subject to physical examination, it is not possible to give license without application and examination process.
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.
For vehicles produced in the same year or in the last four months of the previous year, the applications for approval must be registered in the first four months of the current.
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 conducted by a single administrative organ, Ministry of Industry and Technology or Turkish Standard Institution (TSI).
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?
Applications for the approval are not rejected for reasons other than failure to meet ordinary criteria. The reason for the rejected application shall be notified to the applicant through official communication channels.
The applicant may submit an objection to the TSI with an official letter, together with the reasons of objection. The TSI 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 according to 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?
Applications are made electronically and detailed information about the application procedure can be found at the official website of TSI: https://viewer.tse.org.tr/QDMSNET/BSAT/SL.aspx?L=-1356173199
It is required to submit the below-mentioned documents to TSI by an application for import of vehicles:
- For serial imports, EC Type Approval Certificate, which is valid in EU Countries;
- Copy of the certificate of conformity;
- Exemption letter issued by TSE ULMB for vehicles within the scope of exemption; and
- Photographs and documents showing the chassis number and/or vehicle tag for old, used or antique vehicles.
Q11. What documents are required upon actual importation?
Applications are made electronically and detailed information about the application procedure can be found at the official website of TSI: https://viewer.tse.org.tr/QDMSNET/BSAT/SL.aspx?L=-1356173199
It is required to submit the below-mentioned documents to TSI by an application for import of vehicles:
- For serial imports, EC Type Approval Certificate, which is valid in EU Countries;
- Copy of the certificate of conformity;
- Exemption letter issued by TSE ULMB for vehicles within the scope of exemption; and
- Photographs and documents showing the chassis number and/or vehicle tag for old, used or antique vehicles.
Q12. Is there any licensing fee or administrative charge? If so, what is the amount of the fee or charge?
The fee schedule, including the import vehicle inspection fees at customs, is published at this website https://viewer.tse.org.tr/QDMSNET/BSAT/SL.aspx?L=-739621394
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.
There is no deposit or advance payment requirement.
Conditions of Licensing
Q14. What is the period of validity of a licence? Can the validity of a licence be extended? How?
There is no period of validity of licenses issued by TSI. They are issued once.
Q15. Is there any penalty for the non-utilization of a licence or a portion of a licence?
There is no penalty applied by TSI 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 issued by TSI cannot be transferred among importers according to provisions of legislation in force.
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?
No.