South Korea is Turkey's second most important trade partner in the Far East with annual trade volume exceeding $7 billion. Home to global brands like Samsung, LG, Hyundai and Kia, South Korea is a world leader in semiconductors, electronic components, automotive spare parts, flat steel products, petrochemicals and cosmetics. The Turkey-Korea Free Trade Agreement (FTA) has been in effect since 2013 and provides customs duty reductions or exemptions across many product categories. Demand for Korean cosmetics driven by the K-beauty trend has rapidly increased in Turkey in recent years, with skincare products and makeup particularly popular through e-commerce channels. Regular container services from Busan and Incheon ports to Turkey are available.
Steps to follow when importing from South Korea
Research suppliers through KOTRA (Korea Trade Agency) and EC21 platform. You can get support from Korea's trade counselor office in Istanbul.
Request samples, test product suitability for Turkish market. Check Ministry of Health compliance in advance for cosmetic products.
Check whether the product is covered by the Turkey-Korea FTA. Products under FTA benefit from reduced or zero customs duties.
Confirm order, plan shipping on FOB Busan or Incheon basis. Sea freight takes 20-28 days, air freight 3-5 days.
Apply reduced tariff with FTA proof of origin. Complete HS code classification and declaration filing.
Complete TSE/CE for electronics, Ministry of Health notification for cosmetics, TGKB compliance for food products.
Under the Turkey-Korea FTA, progressive duty reductions apply to automotive spare parts, electronic components, steel products and textile raw materials. A Korean Certificate of Origin for FTA must be presented to benefit from FTA advantages. For cosmetic imports, Ministry of Health cosmetics notification and CPNP-equivalent Turkish cosmetics registration are mandatory; this process can take 4-8 weeks for the first product. TSE conformity certificates and TAREKS registration are required for electronic products. For steel products, tariff rate quotas should be checked due to Turkey's safeguard measures. Korea's strict quality control standards (KC Mark) facilitate the compliance process with Turkish regulations.
Korean cosmetics (K-beauty) is a rapidly growing market segment in Turkey. However, the Ministry of Health cosmetics notification and product registration process can take 4-8 weeks for the first product import. Additionally, Turkish labeling and ingredient listing are mandatory for each product.
Thanks to the Turkey-Korea FTA, reduced customs duties of 0-5% apply in many product categories. Don't forget to request the certificate of origin from your supplier to benefit from FTA advantages; normal MFN duty rates apply for imports without documentation.
Spare parts and component imports for Samsung and LG factories in Turkey constitute a significant volume. Contact tier-2 and tier-3 suppliers in Korea directly to enter this supply chain. KC Mark and TSE compliance are mandatory for OEM parts imports.
Most imported products from this country and their HS codes
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Under the FTA effective since 2013, customs duties on many industrial products have been gradually reduced to zero. Reduced rates of 0-7% apply to electronics, automotive parts, chemicals and some textiles. Proof of Korean origin is required to benefit from the FTA.
Cosmetics imports require product notification filing to the Ministry of Health. Turkish labeling is mandatory. MSDS, INCI ingredient list, stability test report and GMP certificate (if available) are required. Cosmetic products are inspected under TAREKS.
Electronic products require TSE conformity certificate or CE marking. BTK (Information and Communication Technologies Authority) type approval is mandatory for telecom products. Korean KC mark is not directly valid in Turkey; Turkish regulation compliance must be separately certified.
Steel products require surveillance certificate and mill certificate. Safeguard duties may apply to some steel products. Proof of origin must be submitted for FTA reduced rates. Sea freight is preferred due to weight.