Local Clearance for Imports

Starting from 2015, a company may hold local clearance for imports status that enables the

company to complete its import transaction in its own facilities without visiting the Customs

office (Figure 4.7). In order to apply for this status, the company should be a producer holding

the AEO status; have a minimum amount of 20 million US Dollars of annual trade and has

provided a guarantee of half million Euros to the Ministry.

4.2.3.5. Customs - Trade Partnership Initiatives

The Ministry, particularly the Directorate of Risk Analysis and Control, follows a transparent

policy and they are open to communication such as by email, phone or face-to-face meetings

with the companies to help on the AEO program.

The Ministry of Trade holds meetings with private sector representatives irregularly to

improve the implementation of the AEO program. It appears that the suggestions of the

operators were taken seriously as can be observed from the 2017 amendment to the AEO

regulation to simplify the application procedures and establish the necessary infrastructure to

facilitate the online application procedures.

Currently, there is also a project on extending the AEO status to the small and medium size

enterprises (SMEs) in Turkey. The main objective of this endeavor is to improve the

institutional structure of SMEs as well as to ensure the security and safety of the supply chain

which involves many SMEs in Turkish economy.