The designated operator of Turkey, Turkish PTT Corporation, wishes to inform the designated operators of other UPU member countries that, in accordance with UPU Convention article 20, new national customs regulations came into force on 20 October 2025 affecting certain imports. Under these regulations, international postal items destined for Türkiye containing shoes, toys and leathercraft products (including bags and suitcases made of real or artificial leather) are subject to detailed/full import customs declaration, regardless of the content value or quantity. This regulation does not constitute a restriction or prohibition on the importation of such items. These products can continue to be sent to Türkiye; however, they will not be processed under the simplified customs declaration procedure applicable to other postal imports. Before customs duties are paid, a detailed or full import customs declaration must be submitted to the Turkish Customs Administration by a licensed customs consultant or broker, acting on behalf of the addressee, in order to complete the customs clearance process. This may result in additional costs for addressees, who must make the necessary arrangements with a customs consultant. Under Turkish customs law, only customs consultants are authorized to submit detailed import declarations to the Customs Administration of Türkiye. This process cannot be performed by the addressee, the postal operator, or transport companies. When postal items containing shoes, toys or leathercraft products arrive in Türkiye, Turkish Post will inform the addressee of the customs clearance requirements via telegram and SMS (where a mobile telephone number is available). Once the addressee’s contracted customs consultant has submitted the import declaration to Customs, the relevant duties will be assessed and collected prior to delivery. It should also be noted that the detailed import declaration cannot be prepared or submitted by Turkish Post using electronic advance data (EDI messages such as ITMATT V1 or EMSEVT V3) transmitted by the sending designated operator. The declaration must be prepared and submitted exclusively by a customs consultant following agreement with the addressee, who will provide any additional data required for the customs process. This measure applies without regional exemptions; therefore, items originating from any country, including those with trade agreements with Türkiye, are subject to this regulation when they contain the aforementioned goods. Turkish PTT Corporation would like to clarify that the responsibility of the addressee is limited to appointing a customs consultant, and does not extend to directly preparing or submitting the declaration. Turkish PTT Corporation thanks all Union member countries and their designated operators for their understanding and cooperation in this matter.
