Short answer
Importing from China consists of working out the product's GTİP code and its tax-and-permit burden up front, verifying the supplier, tying the delivery term and payment into the contract, choosing the transport mode, and the customs clearance steps in Türkiye. Because additional customs duty or anti-dumping duty applies to some products of Chinese origin, the real cost is revealed in the GTİP before the product price.
Find the cost in the GTİP first
The most common mistake in importing from China is deciding on the basis of the product price. The real cost emerges once the product’s GTİP code is known. Because:
- There is no free trade agreement between Türkiye and China; a preferential (reduced) customs duty is not applied.
- On many products of Chinese origin, additional customs duty is applied on top of the normal customs duty.
- Some products carry anti-dumping duty or countervailing duty. These duties can reach high amounts relative to the product value.
- Some products are subject to surveillance or product safety inspection (TAREKS).
The first step, therefore, is to work out the GTİP and the tax-and-permit burden of that code before agreeing with the supplier. Current rates are checked by GTİP in the Turkish Customs Tariff Schedule and the relevant import decisions. For the logic of the duty calculation, see the customs duty guide.
Importing from China step by step
1. Product and GTİP pre-check
The technical specification, material and intended use are clarified, and the GTİP is determined. Customs duty, additional duty, anti-dumping, TAREKS and permit burden are worked out. If necessary, an opinion is obtained from a customs broker.
2. Verifying the supplier
The company’s trade registration, whether it is a factory or an intermediary, its export history and product documents are checked. Requesting samples and having independent quality control carried out before/after production markedly reduces risk on large orders.
3. Contract: delivery term and payment
- Delivery term. The most common rule in purchases from China is FOB: the seller loads the goods on board the vessel at the port of loading in China and clears them for export; the buyer chooses freight and insurance. Under EXW, export formalities in China are left to the buyer, which makes them harder to manage. For details, see the Incoterms 2020 guide.
- Payment. The common practice is a deposit plus the balance against shipping documents. In the first transactions, a letter of credit shifts the payment risk to the banks.
- Documents. The contents of the commercial invoice, packing list and, if required, the certificate of origin must be written into the contract.
4. Choosing the transport mode
There are four options: sea (FCL/LCL), rail, air and express courier. Cost rises from sea toward express, and speed works in the opposite direction. By sea, if a full container is not filled, a groupage (LCL) shipment is made. For the options and the time/cost balance, see the China-Türkiye transport options and FCL or LCL guides.
5. Insurance
On a FOB or EXW purchase, the journey risk is with the buyer and the seller has no insurance obligation. The cargo should be insured in the buyer’s name from the moment of loading. See cargo insurance.
6. Preparing the documents
After loading, the commercial invoice, packing list and bill of lading (and the certificate of origin, if required) are obtained from the seller. For products subject to additional duty or anti-dumping, the existence and accuracy of the origin document directly affects the duty. For the full list, see the import documents guide.
7. Arrival, delivery order and customs clearance
When the cargo reaches Türkiye, freight and local charges are paid and the delivery order (ordino) is obtained. The customs declaration is registered, the lane is assigned, taxes are paid and the cargo is collected. Freight and insurance up to the Turkish place of entry are also added to the customs value. For this reason, on a FOB purchase the freight invoice must be in the file.
Cost items
| Item | Who pays (on a FOB purchase) |
|---|---|
| Product price | Buyer |
| Domestic transport in China and export clearance | Seller |
| Freight (sea / rail / air) | Buyer |
| Cargo insurance | Buyer |
| Destination port charges, delivery order | Buyer |
| Customs duty, additional duty, anti-dumping | Buyer |
| VAT and any other taxes | Buyer |
| Customs brokerage, storage, domestic transport | Buyer |
Common mistakes
- Learning the GTİP after the order. A product that turns out to carry anti-dumping duty can turn a profitable-looking purchase into a loss.
- Trusting the supplier’s GTİP suggestion. The export code in China and the import GTİP in Türkiye do not always give the same classification; classification is done in Türkiye.
- Understating the invoice. The customs administration may query the value; this creates the risk of penalties and additional duty.
- Starting permits on arrival. TAREKS and other inspections must be planned before loading.
- Not accounting for the season. During China’s long holiday periods, production and loading slow down; the order calendar should be set accordingly.
Basis
- Customs duty, additional customs duty and the import regime: Turkish Customs Tariff Schedule and import regime decisions (Official Gazette)
- Addition of freight and insurance to the customs value: Customs Law No. 4458 art. 27/1-e
- Texts: mevzuat.gov.tr · Ministry of Trade
This page is general information, not legal advice. Regulations change; confirm the current position before acting.