Germany is Turkey's largest trade partner in Europe with an annual trade volume exceeding $20 billion. It is a world leader in high-technology products including automotive spare parts, industrial machinery, chemicals, pharmaceutical products and medical devices. The 'Made in Germany' label symbolizes quality and reliability in global markets. Thanks to the Turkey-EU Customs Union agreement, no customs duties apply to industrial products and preferential trade benefits are enjoyed through the A.TR movement certificate. This makes Germany an extremely cost-advantageous source country for Turkish importers. The ports of Hamburg, Bremen and Bremerhaven along with strong road networks ensure fast and reliable delivery to Turkey.
Steps to follow when importing from Germany
Identify suppliers through German Chamber of Industry and Commerce (IHK) database, Wer liefert was platform and industry fairs (Hannover Messe, Automechanika).
Get detailed quotation, clarify Incoterms-based pricing. EXW or DAP terms are commonly used with German companies.
Proforma invoice approval and payment plan. German companies usually accept net 30/60 day payment terms.
Road freight (TIR) 4-6 days, sea freight 8-12 days. EUR.1 movement certificate must be obtained from the supplier.
Zero customs duty on industrial products with EUR.1. Different rates apply to agricultural products. VAT is always charged.
Document accuracy and compliance processes are extremely important when importing from Germany. German suppliers generally provide professional and detailed documentation, but ensuring correct issuance of A.TR or EUR.1 movement certificates is the importer's responsibility. Customs duty exemption is obtained with A.TR certificates for industrial products, while reduced duty rates apply with EUR.1 for agricultural products. CE declaration of conformity and technical documentation are mandatory for machinery imports. For chemical substances, REACH compliance and Safety Data Sheets (SDS) are required. Due to Germany's strict export control regime, additional export licenses may be needed for dual-use products.
No customs duty is paid on industrial product imports from Germany with an A.TR movement certificate. However, ensure the document is correctly issued before shipment; duty exemption does not apply with incomplete or incorrect A.TR certificates.
German trade law requires high accuracy in invoices and documents. Even the smallest inconsistency in product description, origin and technical specifications can cause issues at customs. Clarify all details with the supplier at the proforma stage.
German products are generally 20-40% more expensive than Asian alternatives, but can provide advantages in total cost of ownership through longer lifespan, lower failure rates and strong after-sales support.
Most imported products from this country and their HS codes
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Thanks to the Turkey-EU Customs Union, customs duty on industrial products is 0%. An A.TR movement certificate is required. Agricultural products and ECSC (coal-steel) products are outside the Customs Union and subject to different duty rates.
A.TR certificate enables free circulation of industrial products under the Customs Union and grants customs duty exemption. EUR.1 is a proof of origin for preferential tariff. A.TR is sufficient for industrial products; EUR.1 is needed for agricultural and processed agricultural products.
Yes, all machinery placed on the EU and Turkish market must carry CE marking under the 2006/42/EC Machinery Directive. German manufacturers generally provide CE certification as standard. CE declaration of conformity, technical file and user manual should be requested from the supplier.
TIR freight from Germany to Turkey averages 4-6 days. Cost ranges from 800-1,500 EUR for partial (LTL) to 2,500-4,000 EUR for full truckload (FTL). Delays may occur at Balkan crossings during winter months.