Customs Compliance for Chemical Product Imports into Turkey | 2026 Updated Legal Guide

Learn the customs compliance requirements for importing chemical products into Turkey. Discover KKDIK (Turkish REACH), TAREKS, customs declarations, import permits, product safety regulations, customs duties, and legal compliance in this 2026 Updated Legal Guide.

Turkey is one of the largest chemical markets in the region, importing industrial chemicals, specialty chemicals, raw materials, petrochemicals, cleaning products, coatings, adhesives, polymers, laboratory chemicals, and chemical intermediates from around the world. International manufacturers, distributors, pharmaceutical companies, automotive suppliers, construction firms, and industrial producers regularly import chemical products into Turkey for manufacturing and commercial use.

Chemical imports are among the most heavily regulated product categories under Turkish law. In addition to standard customs procedures, importers must comply with environmental legislation, chemical registration requirements, product safety regulations, technical conformity rules, hazardous substance controls, and customs valuation requirements. Failure to comply may result in customs delays, refusal of importation, administrative fines, product destruction, or post-clearance customs audits.

This 2026 Updated Legal Guide explains the customs compliance requirements applicable to chemical product imports into Turkey and highlights the key legal obligations foreign companies should understand before shipping chemicals to Turkey.

Which Chemical Products Are Commonly Imported?

Turkey imports a wide variety of chemical products, including:

• Industrial chemicals.
• Petrochemicals.
• Solvents.
• Paints and coatings.
• Adhesives.
• Lubricants.
• Laboratory chemicals.
• Water treatment chemicals.
• Cleaning chemicals.
• Agricultural chemicals.
• Polymers and resins.
• Chemical intermediates.
• Specialty chemicals.
• Cosmetic ingredients.

Each product category may be subject to different regulatory controls.

Who Can Import Chemical Products?

Chemical products may generally be imported into Turkey by companies authorized to conduct import operations under Turkish legislation, provided that all customs, environmental, and technical regulatory requirements are fulfilled. Certain hazardous chemicals and controlled substances require approvals from the competent public authorities before customs clearance.

Foreign manufacturers usually import chemicals through:

• Turkish subsidiaries.
• Local distributors.
• Authorized importers.
• Manufacturing companies.
• Industrial users.
• Only Representatives where applicable under chemical legislation.

Customs Declaration Requirements

Chemical products generally require a standard customs declaration.

The declaration should accurately specify:

• Chemical name.
• CAS number where applicable.
• HS tariff classification.
• Customs value.
• Quantity.
• Packaging.
• Country of origin.
• Manufacturer information.
• Importer information.

Incorrect declarations may trigger customs inspections or administrative penalties.

Import Documentation

Importers should prepare complete documentation before shipment.

Typical documents include:

• Commercial Invoice.
• Packing List.
• Bill of Lading or Air Waybill.
• Certificate of Origin where applicable.
• Safety Data Sheet (SDS).
• Technical specifications.
• Certificate of Analysis where applicable.
• Insurance documents.
• Transport documentation.
• Regulatory certificates where required.

Complete documentation significantly reduces customs clearance delays.

HS Tariff Classification

Every chemical product must be classified under the correct Harmonized System (HS) Code.

Incorrect classification may result in:

• Additional customs duties.
• Administrative penalties.
• Customs inspections.
• Delayed customs clearance.
• Post-clearance customs audits.

Special attention should be given to chemical mixtures and multi-component products.

KKDIK (Turkish REACH) Compliance

One of the most important legal requirements for chemical imports is compliance with KKDIK (Registration, Evaluation, Authorisation and Restriction of Chemicals), Turkey’s REACH-equivalent regulation.

Depending on the substance and annual import volume, importers may be required to:

• Register chemical substances.
• Appoint an Only Representative where applicable.
• Submit registration dossiers.
• Participate in data-sharing mechanisms.
• Maintain regulatory documentation.

The current registration timetable extends through 2026, 2028, and 2030, depending on tonnage and hazard classification, with substances of 1,000 tonnes or more, certain CMR substances, and highly hazardous aquatic substances generally requiring registration by 31 December 2026.

Safety Data Sheets (SDS)

Many imported chemicals must be accompanied by compliant Safety Data Sheets.

The SDS should include:

• Hazard identification.
• Composition.
• Safe handling instructions.
• Storage conditions.
• Emergency measures.
• Transport information.
• Disposal recommendations.
• Regulatory information.

Importers should verify that SDS documentation complies with Turkish legal requirements.

TAREKS Product Safety Controls

Certain chemical products are subject to import inspections through TAREKS (Risk-Based Trade Control System).

TAREKS enables Turkish authorities to conduct electronic risk-based inspections before customs clearance.

Authorities may review:

• Product conformity.
• Technical documentation.
• Environmental compliance.
• Regulatory approvals.
• Product safety documentation.

Only products identified as high risk are normally selected for physical inspection under the system.

Environmental Controls

Certain chemical products are additionally controlled for environmental protection.

Products that may require additional authorization include:

• Ozone-depleting substances.
• Fluorinated greenhouse gases.
• Chemicals restricted under environmental legislation.
• Hazardous industrial chemicals.

The 2026/6 Communiqué on Import Inspection of Chemicals Controlled for Environmental Protection requires approval by the Ministry of Environment, Urbanization and Climate Change for regulated chemicals before importation.

Customs Duties and Import Taxes

Chemical imports may be subject to:

• Customs duties.
• Value Added Tax (VAT).
• Additional customs duties where applicable.
• Environmental charges where required.
• Other import-related taxes.

Applicable rates depend on:

• HS tariff classification.
• Country of origin.
• Applicable Free Trade Agreements.
• Current Import Regime.

Customs Valuation

Import duties are generally calculated using the customs value.

The customs value may include:

• Purchase price.
• Freight costs.
• Insurance.
• Packing costs.
• Royalties where legally includable.
• License fees.
• Certain commissions.

Improper customs valuation frequently leads to additional duty assessments during customs audits.

Country of Origin

Country of origin affects:

• Customs duty rates.
• Preferential tariff treatment.
• Additional customs duties.
• Import documentation.
• Free Trade Agreement eligibility.

Importers should maintain complete origin documentation.

Customs Audits

Chemical importers may be selected for post-clearance customs audits.

Authorities may examine:

• Customs declarations.
• HS classifications.
• Customs valuation.
• KKDIK compliance.
• SDS documentation.
• Accounting records.
• Import invoices.
• Supplier agreements.

Maintaining organized documentation is critical for audit readiness.

Common Customs Compliance Risks

Chemical importers frequently encounter:

• Incorrect HS classifications.
• Missing KKDIK registrations.
• Incomplete SDS documentation.
• Environmental approval deficiencies.
• Customs valuation errors.
• Incorrect origin declarations.
• Missing regulatory certificates.
• Documentation inconsistencies.

Most of these issues can be prevented through proactive compliance management.

Best Practices Before Importing Chemicals

Businesses should:

• Verify KKDIK obligations.
• Review HS classifications.
• Prepare compliant Safety Data Sheets.
• Confirm TAREKS requirements.
• Verify environmental approvals.
• Review customs valuation.
• Maintain complete customs records.
• Obtain legal advice before shipment.

Early compliance planning significantly reduces customs risks.

Why Professional Legal Assistance Is Important

Chemical imports involve customs law, environmental law, chemical safety legislation, product compliance, transportation regulations, and international trade law.

An experienced customs lawyer can:

• Review import transactions.
• Assess KKDIK obligations.
• Verify customs valuation.
• Advise on TAREKS procedures.
• Assist with environmental approvals.
• Represent companies during customs audits.
• Resolve customs disputes.
• Develop long-term customs compliance programs.

Professional legal guidance enables chemical companies to import products into Turkey efficiently while minimizing legal, environmental, and financial risks.

Frequently Asked Questions

1. Can foreign companies import chemical products into Turkey?

Yes. Foreign companies may import chemical products through an authorized importer in Turkey, provided all customs, environmental, and regulatory requirements are fulfilled.

2. What is KKDIK?

KKDIK is Turkey’s Regulation on the Registration, Evaluation, Authorisation and Restriction of Chemicals and is broadly aligned with the EU REACH framework. Depending on tonnage and hazard classification, registration deadlines extend through 2026, 2028, and 2030.

3. Are Safety Data Sheets mandatory?

For many chemical products, yes. Importers should ensure that compliant Safety Data Sheets accompany regulated chemical substances and mixtures.

4. Are chemical products subject to TAREKS inspections?

Yes. Certain chemical products undergo risk-based import inspections through the TAREKS electronic control system.

5. Do environmentally controlled chemicals require additional approvals?

Yes. Chemicals such as ozone-depleting substances, fluorinated greenhouse gases, and other environmentally controlled chemicals require approval from the competent Ministry before importation.

6. Can Turkish Customs audit chemical imports?

Yes. Turkish Customs may conduct post-clearance audits reviewing customs valuation, tariff classification, KKDIK compliance, accounting records, and supporting documentation.

7. What are the most common compliance risks?

Missing KKDIK registrations, incomplete Safety Data Sheets, customs valuation errors, incorrect HS classifications, missing environmental approvals, and documentation deficiencies are among the most common issues.

8. Why should chemical importers work with a customs lawyer?

A customs lawyer can assess regulatory obligations, review customs documentation, advise on KKDIK and TAREKS compliance, manage customs audits, and resolve customs disputes before they affect business operations.

Legal Support – Contact Our Customs Lawyers

Importing chemical products into Turkey requires far more than completing a customs declaration. Regulatory compliance with customs, environmental, and chemical safety legislation is essential to ensure uninterrupted supply chains and avoid costly enforcement actions.

Fırat Fesih Kaya and our customs law team provide comprehensive legal services to chemical manufacturers, distributors, industrial companies, pharmaceutical businesses, foreign investors, and multinational corporations in customs compliance, KKDIK compliance, TAREKS procedures, customs valuation, customs audits, environmental approvals, customs litigation, and all aspects of Turkish customs and international trade law.

Phone: +90 312 434 22 22

Mobile: +90 532 769 22 22

Email: info@firatfesihkaya.av.tr

Address: Mevlana Boulevard No:221, Yıldırım Tower, Office No:148, 06520 Balgat, Çankaya, Ankara, Turkey