Türkiye has a large domestic automotive industry and tightly controls vehicle imports, which require authorisation from the Ministry of Trade under the Import Regime Decree. Passenger cars fall mainly under HS heading 8703. The tax burden has three layers: first, customs duty by GTİP tariff code and country of origin (generally around 10%); second, the Special Consumption Tax (ÖTV), banded by engine displacement and price — very high for fossil-fuel cars, while battery-electric vehicles, after the July 2025 reform, fall roughly in the 25%–75% range; and third, 20% value-added tax (KDV) levied on the duty-paid value plus duty plus ÖTV. Because ÖTV enters the VAT base, this tax-on-tax makes the effective burden high. For passenger cars from non-EU countries and countries without an FTA, an additional duty applies, charged either as a percentage of customs value or a minimum amount per unit, whichever is higher. Türkiye is in a customs union with the EU and aligns its technical rules with the EU type-approval framework (such as (EU) 2018/858); imported vehicles must obtain TSE type approval or individual approval and present a Letter of Conformity at clearance. Used-vehicle imports are restricted and, as a rule, not permitted for ordinary commercial import; special cases such as returning residents bringing a personal car require approval, with the vehicle generally no more than 3 years old and registered in the owner's name for a set period.
| Age limit | Used-vehicle imports are restricted and, as a rule, not permitted for ordinary commercial import; special cases such as returning residents bringing a personal car require approval, with the vehicle generally no more than 3 years old and registered in the owner's name for a set period. |
|---|---|
| Steering | Imported vehicles must be left-hand drive (LHD). |
| Import duty & taxes | The tax burden has three layers: customs duty by GTİP tariff code and country of origin (generally around 10%); the Special Consumption Tax (ÖTV), banded by engine displacement and price — very high for fossil-fuel cars, while battery-electric vehicles, after the July 2025 reform, fall roughly in the 25%–75% range; and 20% VAT (KDV) levied on the sum of duty-paid value, duty and ÖTV. For passenger cars from non-EU countries without an FTA, an additional duty applies. |
| Main ports / entry | The main entry ports include İstanbul (Ambarlı), Mersin and İzmir. |
| Authority & certification | Türkiye is in a customs union with the EU and aligns its technical rules with the EU type-approval framework ((EU) 2018/858); imported vehicles must obtain TSE type approval or individual approval. Ordinary commercial imports require authorisation from the Ministry of Trade under the Import Regime Decree. |
| Required documents | A Letter of Conformity must be presented at clearance; passenger cars are declared mainly under HS heading 8703. |
Figures indicative. Türkiye: it tightly controls vehicle imports, with a three-layer burden of customs duty (generally around 10%), the ÖTV special consumption tax banded by displacement and price, and 20% VAT (KDV) on the sum of duty-paid value, duty and ÖTV; used vehicles are in principle not permitted for ordinary commercial import, and specific rates and thresholds follow the Official Gazette and the Ministry of Trade's current tables. Confirm current rules with the Turkish Ministry of Trade before shipping. Sources: Ministry of Trade (trade.gov.tr); Official Gazette (resmigazete.gov.tr); TSE (tse.org.tr); Revenue Administration (gib.gov.tr). Last reviewed 2026-10.
45-country import policy quick reference →
EZ Auto is based in China (Zhengzhou, Henan) with 15–20 years in the country's car export trade. We export new and used Chinese vehicles across the Middle East, with sea freight to Jebel Ali, Jeddah, Dammam, Sohar, Aqaba, Umm Qasr and Shuaiba, handling China export clearance and full documentation. Local import clearance is arranged by the buyer or a licensed broker; we provide all paperwork and per-country guidance, including the pre-shipment certification that several Gulf markets require. We do not operate local offices in the Middle East — every car is sourced and inspected in China before shipment.
Get today's price and a delivery estimate to your country.
Inquire on WhatsApp →