Unclaimed Goods at Turkish Customs: When Can They Be Sold or Liquidated? — 2026 Current Guide

When can unclaimed goods at Turkish customs be sold, destroyed or liquidated? Learn the deadlines, recovery options, costs and legal consequences in this 2026 guide.

Goods arriving in Turkey cannot remain indefinitely at a port, airport, temporary storage facility or customs warehouse. If the importer fails to complete customs clearance, remove released goods, comply with a customs procedure or take another legally permitted action within the applicable period, the shipment may acquire liquidation status. Customs may then arrange its sale, allocation, re-export or destruction under the applicable rules.

Foreign companies sometimes assume that customs will contact the overseas seller before taking action or that ownership automatically prevents the goods from being sold. This is dangerous. Commercial ownership and customs status are separate matters. Goods may enter a statutory liquidation process even though the importer or overseas seller still considers itself the owner.

Recovering unclaimed goods usually becomes more difficult as the process advances. The importer should therefore obtain the customs file, identify the applicable deadline and take formal action before an auction, sale, allocation or destruction is completed.

What Are Unclaimed Goods at Turkish Customs?

“Unclaimed goods” is a practical expression used for shipments that remain under customs supervision without being placed under or completed through an appropriate customs procedure within the required time. Depending on the circumstances, the goods may be located in temporary storage, a customs warehouse, a port area or another authorised facility.

Goods may become unclaimed because the importer cannot obtain a permit, fails to submit a customs declaration, does not pay the assessed duties, does not collect released goods or stops responding to the customs broker. Disputes with the supplier, lack of financing, missing conformity documents and rapidly increasing storage costs can produce the same result.

Not every delayed shipment immediately becomes subject to sale. Customs must identify the applicable legal category, calculate the relevant period and complete the required administrative procedures. The importer should therefore request the formal documents rather than rely solely on information received from a carrier, port operator or warehouse.

When Do Imported Goods Become Subject to Liquidation?

The liquidation provisions of Turkish Customs Law No. 4458 apply to several categories of goods. These may include goods that have not been assigned a customs-approved treatment or use within the applicable period, goods that remain in storage beyond authorised limits, goods that have not been removed after release and goods expressly abandoned to customs.

Goods confiscated under special legislation, perishable goods, goods whose storage creates excessive expense and goods posing risks to human, animal, plant or environmental safety may be subject to particular procedures. The legal basis and timetable may therefore differ according to the product and reason for detention.

The decisive date is not always the vessel’s arrival date. The calculation may depend on presentation to customs, entry into temporary storage, notification of a decision, expiry of a warehouse period or release of the goods. A correct legal assessment requires the complete customs chronology.

How Long Can Goods Remain in Temporary Storage?

Goods presented to customs must be assigned a customs-approved treatment or use within the period prescribed by customs legislation. The applicable period and its starting date depend on the mode of transport, customs status and specific facts of the shipment.

Importers should not calculate the deadline using only the commercial arrival notice. The customs presentation date, summary declaration records and temporary storage documents should be examined. Weekends, official holidays, formal extensions and special measures may also affect the analysis.

A request for information, permit application or dispute with a supplier does not automatically suspend a customs deadline. If additional time is legally available, the importer should submit a formal extension request before the original period expires and obtain a written response.

What Happens When Goods Are Not Removed After Customs Release?

Even goods that have completed customs clearance may create a liquidation risk if they are not removed within the legally permitted period. Payment of duties or completion of the declaration does not necessarily allow the importer to leave the shipment indefinitely at the customs facility.

This situation can arise where the importer cannot pay warehouse charges, transport has not been arranged or a disagreement develops with the port operator. The importer should determine whether customs has issued a release decision, when the removal period began and whether another authority has placed a restriction on the goods.

If the shipment is not removed, additional storage and handling expenses may continue to accrue. Customs liquidation does not necessarily cancel these private or public liabilities.

Can Customs Sell Unclaimed Goods?

Yes. Goods that have lawfully acquired liquidation status may be sold through the methods permitted by customs legislation. Depending on the nature and status of the goods, liquidation may include auction, retail sale, sale for re-export, allocation to authorised institutions or destruction.

The importer cannot assume that the goods will remain untouched until every commercial dispute is resolved. Once the statutory conditions are satisfied and the liquidation process advances, customs may proceed without waiting for the importer to settle its dispute with the supplier, carrier or bank.

The Ministry of Trade operates an electronic auction system for goods offered through customs liquidation procedures. Information about official liquidation and auction services can be accessed through the Ministry of Trade.

Are All Unclaimed Goods Sold at Auction?

No. Auction is an important method, but it is not appropriate for every product. Certain goods may be sold through another permitted channel, allocated under special rules, re-exported or destroyed.

Perishable, unsafe, prohibited, counterfeit, contaminated or commercially valueless goods may not be suitable for ordinary sale. Products requiring licences or technical qualifications may be sold only to eligible buyers or under restrictions.

Customs should select a legally authorised method compatible with the goods’ condition and regulatory status. An importer disputing the selected method should obtain the written decision and examine whether the goods were correctly classified and whether less damaging alternatives were considered.

Can Customs Destroy Unclaimed Goods?

Yes, where the applicable legislation and condition of the goods justify destruction. Destruction may become relevant when goods are unsafe, expired, prohibited, contaminated or unsuitable for lawful sale. It may also be used where the expected sale value does not justify the expense of continued storage or sale.

Destruction must be distinguished from liquidation by sale. Sale can preserve some economic value, while destruction permanently eliminates the goods and may also eliminate important physical evidence.

If laboratory findings or product-safety concerns are disputed, the importer should seek preservation of samples, photographs, test records and batch information before destruction. Filing an objection alone should not be assumed to suspend implementation.

Must Customs Notify the Importer Before Sale?

Notification requirements depend on the legal basis, customs status and stage of the process. Customs records may contain an address or electronic notification information that differs from the company’s current contact details. A notice sent in accordance with the legally recorded information may produce consequences even if the foreign supplier or company director did not personally see it.

Importers should monitor notifications through their customs representatives and relevant electronic systems. The customs broker’s authority, company address and electronic notification records should remain current.

Where notification is defective, the importer may have grounds to challenge the procedure. However, defective service should be supported with concrete evidence. The company should document when and how it actually learned of the decision and act without delay.

Can the Importer Recover Goods Before the Sale?

Recovery may be possible if the sale or other disposal process has not been completed and the importer satisfies the applicable legal requirements. This may require completing customs clearance, paying duties and expenses, obtaining necessary permits or placing the goods under another permitted customs procedure.

The importer should submit a written request identifying the declaration, shipment, warehouse and liquidation file. The request should state the proposed customs treatment and include evidence that the outstanding requirements can be fulfilled.

A request for recovery does not automatically stop an announced auction. The importer should obtain written confirmation of postponement or seek the appropriate legal protection where necessary.

The later the application is made, the greater the risk that customs will consider the liquidation process irreversible. Once the goods have been sold and delivered to a buyer, recovery of the original shipment may be legally and practically impossible.

Can the Overseas Seller Recover the Goods?

Possibly, but the overseas seller must establish its legal interest and right to dispose of the goods. Retaining ownership under the sales contract does not automatically give the seller direct control over goods under Turkish customs supervision.

The parties should examine the contract, delivery terms, bill of lading, payment method and customs declaration. Depending on these documents, the importer, consignee, carrier, bank or seller may hold different rights.

If the seller wants the goods returned, re-export procedures may need to be completed. Customs approval, transport arrangements and acceptance by the destination country will be required. The seller should not assume that presenting an unpaid invoice is sufficient to stop liquidation.

Can Unclaimed Goods Be Re-Exported?

Re-export may be available before liquidation is completed, provided the goods and applicant satisfy the applicable conditions. It may be particularly useful where the Turkish importer refuses the shipment but the supplier agrees to accept its return.

However, re-export is not an automatic right in every case. Goods presenting health, safety, environmental or security risks may be subject to restrictions. Goods connected with smuggling, intellectual property infringement or a judicial measure may also require additional authorisation.

A re-export proposal should identify the destination, consignee, transport method and payment of existing expenses. The importer should obtain formal approval before booking transportation or promising the supplier that the goods will be returned.

Who Pays Storage and Liquidation Costs?

The importer, declarant, warehouse customer or another responsible person may remain liable for costs incurred before and during liquidation. These may include storage, port handling, inspection, laboratory examination, transportation, auction preparation and destruction expenses.

Liquidation does not necessarily erase customs duties, fines or contractual warehouse debts. Each liability should be examined according to its legal basis and the date on which it arose.

Businesses should request itemised accounts and preserve invoices. If a charge is incorrectly calculated, applied to the wrong period or imposed on the wrong person, it may require a separate objection or claim.

What Happens to the Sale Proceeds?

Sale proceeds are not automatically transferred in full to the former owner. Customs duties, taxes, storage costs, handling expenses, liquidation costs and other legally prioritised amounts may be deducted in accordance with the applicable rules.

Whether any remaining balance can be claimed depends on the legal status of the goods, the claimant’s entitlement and compliance with procedural requirements. The importer should not assume that customs will automatically locate the overseas seller or transfer a remaining amount abroad.

A potential claimant should obtain the liquidation account, sale records and distribution calculation. Ownership, payment and representation documents may be required to support the application.

Can a Liquidation Decision Be Challenged?

Yes. A customs administrative decision may be challenged through the applicable objection and judicial review procedures. Under Article 242 of Customs Law No. 4458, an objection against notified customs duties, penalties and administrative decisions may generally be submitted within 15 days from notification.

Not every measure affecting goods follows the same procedure. A product-safety decision, criminal seizure, intellectual property measure or warehouse dispute may require a different remedy. The competent authority and deadline must therefore be determined from the actual documents.

An objection should identify procedural errors, incorrect dates, unlawful classification, payment or clearance completed within the permitted period, defective notification or other specific grounds. A general statement that the importer still owns the goods will usually be insufficient.

Does Filing an Objection Stop the Auction?

Not automatically. The importer should not assume that an administrative objection or lawsuit suspends the sale. A separate request for postponement or judicial stay may be necessary.

Urgency must be demonstrated with evidence such as an auction announcement, scheduled sale date or official liquidation notice. The application should also explain why the decision is allegedly unlawful and why a later compensation claim would not provide adequate protection.

If the goods are unique machinery, confidential equipment or products essential to an ongoing project, the importer should document these circumstances. Commercial value alone may not establish every legal requirement for interim protection.

Can Compensation Be Claimed After the Goods Are Sold?

A compensation claim may be possible if the liquidation or sale was unlawful and caused a proven loss. Compensation is not automatic simply because the owner disagreed with the sale price or later decided that clearance would have been preferable.

The claimant must establish unlawfulness, damage and causation. Purchase invoices, freight documents, market valuations, customer contracts, warehouse records and auction information may be important.

Lost-profit claims require particular care. Expected revenue is not equivalent to proven net profit. Expenses avoided because of liquidation and any remaining sale proceeds must also be considered.

The company may also have separate claims against its customs broker, carrier, warehouse operator, supplier or insurer. These claims depend on their own contracts, notice periods and liability rules.

What Should Foreign Companies Do Immediately?

The company should first obtain the customs declaration, arrival records, temporary storage documents, warehouse statements, formal notices and liquidation decision. It should determine the notification date and whether an auction or destruction date has already been scheduled.

The next step is to decide whether the objective is customs clearance, re-export, postponement of sale, recovery of sale proceeds or compensation. Attempting several inconsistent procedures without a clear strategy may create additional delay.

Evidence of ownership, payment and commercial value should be preserved. If the goods may be destroyed or altered, photographs, samples and expert examination should be requested where legally possible.

Fırat Fesih Kaya Law Office and Lawyer Fırat Fesih Kaya assist foreign companies with reviewing liquidation files, challenging customs decisions and protecting claims concerning unclaimed imported goods.

Unclaimed Goods Under the 2026 Customs Framework

In 2026, importers must continue to monitor product-specific inspection rules, electronic customs notifications and the annual Product Safety and Inspection Communiqués. Classification mistakes, missing technical documents and failure to follow digital inspection procedures can delay clearance and increase the risk of goods entering liquidation. Current announcements can be followed through the Ministry of Trade’s Product Safety and Inspection Directorate.

The legal consequences depend on the rules effective on the relevant date and the goods’ customs status. Importers should not rely on older shipment experience because annual inspection coverage, documentary requirements and transitional provisions may change.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

1. When do goods become unclaimed at Turkish customs?

Goods may become subject to liquidation when the required customs treatment is not completed, storage periods expire or released goods are not removed within the applicable period.

2. Can customs sell goods without the owner’s consent?

Yes. Goods that lawfully acquire liquidation status may be sold or otherwise disposed of under customs legislation without a separate commercial sale agreement with the owner.

3. Are all unclaimed goods sold through auction?

No. Depending on their status and condition, goods may be sold through different methods, re-exported, allocated or destroyed.

4. Can an importer stop an announced auction?

Possibly, if legal requirements are satisfied and action is taken before completion of the sale. An objection alone should not be assumed to stop the auction.

5. Can the overseas supplier request the goods back?

The supplier may seek recovery or re-export, but it must establish its legal entitlement and comply with Turkish customs procedures.

6. Does liquidation cancel storage charges?

Not automatically. Storage and handling charges may continue or remain payable depending on the relevant dates and contractual arrangements.

7. Can unsafe goods be sold?

Goods creating health, safety or environmental risks may be subject to restricted disposal or destruction rather than ordinary sale.

8. What happens to the auction proceeds?

Applicable duties, taxes, storage expenses and liquidation costs may be deducted. Any remaining amount is handled under the relevant legal procedure.

9. Can a foreign company challenge the liquidation decision?

Yes. A foreign company with sufficient legal interest may use the applicable administrative and judicial remedies through an authorised representative.

10. Can compensation be claimed after an unlawful sale?

Potentially. The claimant must establish the unlawfulness of the administrative action, recoverable damage and a causal connection between them.

This article is intended for general informational purposes only. To avoid any loss of rights, we recommend consulting your lawyer regarding your specific circumstances.

Legal Support

Fırat Fesih Kaya Law Office and Lawyer Fırat Fesih Kaya provide professional legal assistance to clients in Turkey and abroad in customs liquidation, unclaimed-goods, re-export and customs clearance disputes.

Mobile: +90 532 769 22 22
Office: +90 312 434 22 22
Email: info@firatfesihkaya.av.tr
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