Vehicle Parts Import Control

Regulatory Scope – Vehicle-Only Parts with Technical Regulation Mapping

The Communiqué, published in the Official Gazette dated 31 December 2025, applies exclusively to vehicle-only parts listed in Annex-1, where each product is defined not only by GTIP but also by the relevant technical regulation or EU-derived regulatory framework.

The scope includes:

• Components designed exclusively for use in vehicles
• Parts subject to type approval or specific technical regulations
• Products that must comply with EU-aligned automotive standards

The regulation applies to imports under the Release for Free Circulation regime and explicitly excludes goods returning under outward processing arrangements.

A key operational implication is that classification must go beyond tariff determination and include regulatory mapping, meaning that importers must confirm:

• Whether the product falls within Annex-1
• Which technical regulation applies
• Whether type approval or equivalent documentation is required

This makes classification a combined customs and regulatory exercise, often requiring structured validation through HS code classification.

How the System Works – TAREKS as a Pre-Declaration Control Gate

All import inspection procedures under this Communiqué are conducted through TAREKS, where applications must be submitted before customs declaration and are evaluated through a risk-analysis framework.

The workflow includes:

• Registration of the importer and authorization of firm users in TAREKS
• Submission of product and shipment data
• Uploading of required documentation
• Risk-based evaluation determining inspection pathway

If the shipment is not routed to physical inspection, TAREKS generates a reference number indicating that the product may be imported.

If routed to physical inspection:

• Additional documents may be required
• Sampling and testing may be conducted
• Strict deadlines apply for document submission

It is essential to emphasize that the TAREKS reference number is a release-critical control point, meaning that without it, customs clearance cannot proceed.

Practical Impact – Document Discipline and Type Approval Requirements

From an operational perspective, the most critical aspect of this regulation is the requirement to align documentation precisely with the applicable technical framework.

The core document set typically includes:

• Customs and transport documents
• Invoice or proforma invoice
• Type Approval documentation (where required)
• Approved Turkish translations of technical documents

Type Approval documentation is particularly critical because:

• It must correspond exactly to the product being imported
• It must be issued by the relevant authority or notified body
• It must be properly translated and verifiable

Any mismatch between the product and its Type Approval documentation results in a negative outcome, regardless of other compliance elements.

Risk Areas – GTIP Scope Errors and Document Integrity Failures

The most significant risks under this Communiqué arise from incorrect GTIP scoping and weak document integrity.

Common failure scenarios include:

• Misclassification leading to incorrect inclusion or exclusion from Annex-1
• Incorrect assumption that a product is “out of scope”
• Missing or invalid Type Approval documentation
• Inconsistencies between product identity and uploaded documents

In addition, document authenticity is strictly evaluated.

If any document is found to:

• Not be issued by the relevant authority
• Be altered or misleading
• Not correspond to the declared product

the inspection is finalized negatively, and enforcement actions may follow.

For a broader understanding of how such inconsistencies create cumulative compliance risks across technical imports, see customs valuation of assists.

Compliance and Audit Impact – Responsibility Continues Beyond Clearance

A critical feature of this regulation is that importer responsibility does not end with the issuance of a TAREKS reference number.

Even after clearance:

• The importer remains responsible for product compliance
• Authorities may conduct post-clearance inspections
• Data may be shared with market surveillance systems (PGDBİS)

If a product is later determined to:

• Fall within scope but was incorrectly processed
• Be non-compliant with technical regulations
• Pose safety risks

enforcement actions may be applied retroactively.

This reflects Türkiye’s broader compliance model, where import control is only the first stage of enforcement, supported by continuous monitoring through customs audit.

Strategic Actions – Building a TAREKS-Compliant Import Structure

From a professional customs advisory perspective, vehicle parts imports must be managed as structured compliance operations with a strong focus on pre-arrival readiness.

Companies should:

• Confirm whether products fall within Annex-1 scope
• Align GTIP classification with regulatory mapping
• Prepare Type Approval documentation in advance
• Ensure accurate and consistent document uploads
• Establish internal processes for TAREKS application management

In addition, companies should treat Box 44 declaration of the TAREKS reference number as a critical control point within their customs processes.

For companies managing complex automotive supply chains, aligning these processes through customs consulting can significantly reduce operational risk.

Exemptions and Operational Flexibility – Limited but Important

The Communiqué provides certain exemptions, including:

• A.TR circulation document cases
• Production-input waivers
• AQAP-related imports
• Returned goods

However, it is important to note that these exemptions do not eliminate risk entirely.

Even exempted goods may be routed to physical inspection based on risk analysis, meaning that importers must maintain full documentation readiness regardless of exemption status.

Professional Assessment – Procedural Accuracy Defines Import Feasibility

From a senior customs consultancy standpoint, Communiqué 2026/25 represents a shift toward procedural accuracy as the primary determinant of import feasibility for vehicle parts.

The key success factors are:

• Correct regulatory scoping
• Complete and verifiable documentation
• Timely execution of TAREKS processes

In this environment:

• Compliance is system-driven, not document-driven alone
• Errors are procedural, not interpretative
• Risk is immediate and operational

For companies operating in international automotive supply chains, this reinforces the need for integrated compliance strategies, as discussed in globalization and consultancy.

Conclusion – Vehicle Parts Imports Are Now TAREKS-Critical Compliance Operations

Communiqué 2026/25 confirms that vehicle parts imports into Türkiye operate under a system-controlled compliance model where success depends entirely on correct classification, complete documentation, and disciplined execution within TAREKS.

This transforms vehicle parts imports into process-driven operations where even minor procedural errors can result in immediate clearance blockage and long-term regulatory exposure.

Official Gazette Reference

The official legal text is only available in Turkish; however, the key regulatory framework and practical implications are fully explained above.

See the legislation document.