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COVID-19 [Turkey]
Bulletin n°2 – CIQP : 29 June 2020 (Customs, Immigration and Quarantine Procedures)

IMPORTATION AND CUSTOMS

Customs, land, sea (updated 21 May 2020).

Sea ports:
For vessels arriving from countries whose previous port call was a restricted country
in the last 14 days, shore to ship deliveries are allowed as long as there is no human
contact. Ship to shore off-landing of items is not allowed. Master and crew should
coordinate regarding documentation without physical contact.

All vessels must send a Maritime Declaration of Health (MDH) 48 hours prior to
arrival. Vessels that have come from at-risk countries will be inspected by health
authorities before pilots can board.

For ships, the list of documents required for the health declaration is as follows:
• List of the last 10 Ports of Call (POC) (if the vessel has more than 10 POCs in the
last month, those POCs must also be included in the list);
• Maritime Health Declaration;
• Crew List;
• Fever lists for the last day;
• If any embarkation occurred in the last month, an additional list to show
joiners’ details, embarkation date and port.

Restrictions also apply to crew who embarked from COVID-19 high-risk countries or
specific nationalities, which can be found on Wilhelmsen’s COVID-19 Port
Restrictions Map, along with details regarding how to find the list of ‘restricted
countries’, linked in the ‘Useful Links’ section.

Land Borders:

All Turkish commercial borders are now open to cargo movement (source: Logistics
Cluster, 20 May 2020).
• Land borders between Turkey and the Commonwealth of Independent States
(CIS) are subject to additional checks.
• Restriction apply to border crossing points (BCPs) with Iran and Iraq (see
below).
• Imports and exports between Turkey and the EU and CIS countries are facing
delays and significant capacity constraints.
• Customs authorities are operating at limited capacities.
• Turkey’s borders with Iran and Iraq are now open. International road transport
drivers can use Gürbulak Border Gate (between Turkey and Iran, operations
started on 4 June) and Habur Border Gate for their transport operations. Once
at the border, drivers must comply with procedures set out in the letter. (source:
Turkish Ministry of the Interior, 3 June 2020)

Iran:
• Land border crossings are open since 4 June 2020.
• All passenger, cargo and charter flights to and from Iran have been suspended.
• The Sari Su BCP with Turkey is open only for health products. (source: Logistics
Cluster, 12 May 2020).
• The Bazargan BCP only allows 60 trucks per day.

Iraq:
• Land border crossings are open since June 4 2020.
• The movement of trucks from Turkey to the Kurdistan Region of Iraq (KRI)
through Ibrahim Khalil is allowed but Turkish trucks are not allowed to enter
KRI and cross-loading at crossing point is mandatory. Significant delays are to
be expected. (source: Logistics Cluster, 20 May)

Rail routes to Azerbaijan and Turkey are open for cargo (source: Logistics Cluster, 12
May 2020).

Vehicles and drivers must comply with the following conditions:
• All drivers will be subject to health checks.
• Foreign drivers with symptoms related to COVID-19 are not allowed to enter;
• Turkish drivers with symptoms related to COVID-19 will be put in quarantine;
• Foreign drivers without symptoms related to COVID-19 and who plan to leave
Turkey within 72 hours of entering will not be subject to quarantine;
• Turkish drivers who do not show symptoms of COVID-19 will be allowed to leave
Turkey without any quarantine procedures;
• Trucks which are carrying goods such as medicine, medical supplies and food
supplies that are urgent for Turkey will be given priority to enter.
(source: circular updated published by the Turkish Ministry of the Interior, 9 April).

Restrictions apply to Turkish ports, listed below.

At Istanbul ports:

• At Airports, operations are affected by restrictions impacting cargo flights.
• At Sea Ports, freighters are flying as normal but capacity is constrained. Ports
are operating normally but impacted by congestion.
• At road networks, operations are affected by slight container and equipment
shortages. Road networks are normal within city limits.
• At Customs, there is normal cargo movement.

At Izmir ports:

• At Airports, operations are affected by restrictions impacting cargo flights.
• At Sea Ports, freighters are flying as normal but capacity is constrained. Ports
are operating normally but impacted by congestion.
• At road networks, operations are affected by slight container and equipment
shortages. Road networks are normal within city limits.
• At Customs, there is normal cargo movement.

At Mersin ports:
• At Airports, operations are normal for cargo flights, but with reduced manpower
impacting efficiency.
• At Sea Ports, freighters are flying as normal but capacity is constrained. Ports
are operating normally but impacted are congested.
• At road networks, operations are affected by moderate container and equipment
shortages. Road networks are normal within city limits.
• At Customs, there is normal cargo movement.
(source: Agility, undated).

27.04.2020

Circular of Ministry of Interior dated 9/4/2020 concerning International Freight Transport has been amended on 27/4/2020 and in accordance with these Circulars;

• Health checks of the drivers will be conducted, if symptoms of disease are detected, foreign drivers will not be allowed to enter Turkey, the Turkish drivers will be subject to quarantine.
• If symptoms of the disease are not detected;
  • For Transit (the same practice applies): Vehicles which will pass in transit through Turkey will be equipped with vehicle tracking system (GPS) and will be allowed to enter Turkey and exit within 24 or 36 hours, based on the distance of the border gate. This period might be extended until 48 hours taking into account the road/weather conditions. Vehicles in transit will use the designated routes, stations/parking stations.
  • For transport operations to/from Turkey; foreign drivers will be able to enter Turkey without waiting 14 day quarantine period on condition that they commit they will exit Turkey within 72 hours (72 hour period can be extended for 24 hours based on the conditions of the road/weather/customs).
  • The Turkish drivers will be able to leave Turkey without waiting 14 days.
  • Transportation of medicine, medical supplies and food goods urgent for the Turkey will be given priority.
• Restrictions concerning Border Crossing Points with Iran and Iraq still applies (Traffic is not allowed, only truck drivers of foreign nationalities will be allowed to exit from the aforementioned border crossing points provided they will not be readmitted).
• Ro-Ro operations are carried out without drivers (only semi-trailers/trailers are accepted).

06.04.2020

Relief from Customs duties

Article 105 of the “Resolution on Application of Certain Articles of Customs Law Number 4458”
attached to Council of Ministers Resolution number 2009/15481 set conditions regarding relief
from customs duties for goods sent to the people harmed in times of crisis.

According to the Article, goods imported by public institutions and organizations, associations
working for the public interest and foundations granted tax exemption by the Council of
Ministers are exempted from customs duties; if they are aimed to be distributed free of charge
to people who are harmed in crisis situations or to be offered for free to those who suffer from
crisis situations provided that they remain as the property of these institutions. Additionally,
goods imported by charities to meet their needs during the crisis are also exempted in the
scope of this article.

Customs procedures of the goods mentioned above are carried out according to the article
35-37 of the Customs Exemptions Communique No:2.

Regarding implementation of this legislation, upon an official notification detailing the import
by the importing institution to General Directorate of Customs of the Ministry of Trade, the
related customs office is informed immediately about the transaction and customs procedures
are conducted in a preferential way in order not to cause any delay.

30.12.2020

Update - New Covid-19 Measure in Turkey

In order to take the control of daily Covid-19 cases, a new Covid-19 measure has been put into practice by the Turkish authorities.

According to the letter of the Ministry of Health, dated 29.12.2020;

• Starting from 30.12.2020, people flying Turkey are required to submit a negative PCR test, sampled a maximum of 72 hours before their flight. People failing to submit a negative PCR Test, will not be allowed to board. 

• Negative Covid-19 test results of the people who come to the Turkish sea and land borders will be controlled by the border authorities.

• People who come to the Turkish sea and land borders and failing to present a negative PCR Test will be put in quarantine for 7 days in the place where they will stay. People who do not have a place to stay will be put in quarantine in the place where the health authorities in the city will decide.

• At the end of the 7 days, the new PCR test will be carried out by the authorities, and if the test result is negative, then the quarantine process will be over. 

• In order to track the people who will be quarantined will fill in the related forms which will be provided by the authorities, and these forms will be kept for 30 days. 

• Information related to the vehicles and the people will be recorded to the information system.

• Truck drivers and seamen are exempted from the above-mentioned PCR test and quarantine requirement.

• The above-mentioned measure will continue until 1 March 2021.

Source: Ministry of Health - Turkey

29.12.2020

New Covid-19 Measure in Turkey

According to the latest letter of the Ministry of Health (in attachment in Turkish), a new COVID-19 measure is coming into force in Turkey.

In order to take the control of daily Covid-19 cases, starting from 28 December 2020, people flying to Turkey are required to submit a negative PCR test, sampled a maximum of 72 hours before their flight. Same measure will also be mandatory for people entering Turkey by land and sea borders as of 30.12.2020.

People failing to submit a negative PCR test will not be allowed to board. People who come to the Turkish sea and land borders and failing to present a negative PCR Test will be put in quarantine for 7 days in the place where they will stay. People who do not have a place to stay will be put in quarantine in a place decided by the health authorities.

At the end of the 7 days, the new PCR test will be carried out by the authorities, and if the test result is negative, then the quarantine process will be over.

Within the scope of the latest COVID-19 measure under the letter of the Ministry of Health, there is no official exception for the drivers, but the drivers' situation is being evaluated by the Turkish authorities. The latest situation on the PCR test requirements for the drivers will be published by IRU after the clarification.

The above-mentioned measure will continue until March 1, 2020.

Note: IRU and the IRU members in Turkey, TOBB and UND, are in close contacts with the Turkish competent authorities on the issue of drivers’ tests. As soon as we have additional information, it will be communicated to members via the Flash info service.

Sources: TOBB and UND

04.06.2020

On 3 June, the Turkish Ministry of the Interior published a letter confirming the opening of the borders with Iran and Iraq. International road transport drivers can use Gürbulak Border Gate (between Turkey and Iran, operations started in the morning of 4 June) and Habur Border Gate (between Turkey and Iraq, it will probably open in the afternoon of 4 June) for their transport operations. Once at the border, drivers must comply with procedures set out in the letter (English translation here).

Source: Turkish Ministry of the Interior, IRU Istanbul office

18.05.2020

On 14 May the measures related to drivers transiting through Turkey (section A) were updated. The previous obligation for drivers in transit to leave the country within either 36 or 24 hours has been lifted. The new regulation states that customs administrations will determine the routes and resting/parking areas for vehicles in transit, and that drivers should exit Turkey as soon as possible.

Source: UND

09.05.2020

On 8 May, the Turkish Ministry of Interior updated the measures related to drivers entering Turkey (unofficial translation here). All of the below mentioned measures are not valid for entry/exit to and from Iran and Iraq.

According to the updated measures:

1. the previous obligation for foreign drivers who do not show symptoms of COVID-19 to leave Turkey within 72 hours of entering has been lifted. However, foreign drivers will be obligated to agree with a letter of commitment that they will exit Turkey as soon as possible. In this case only they will not be subject to a 14-day quarantine period.

2. drivers will be allowed to board Ro-Ro vessels if operating between the following ports:

Turkey-Ukraine:

Zonguldak – Chornomorsk (Ilyıchevsky)

Istanbul (Haydarpaşa) - Chornomorsk (Ilyıchevsky)

Karasu – Chornomorsk (Ilyıchevsky)

Turkey-Romania:

Constanta - Karasu

Turkey-Lebanon:

Taşucu - Tripoli

Turkey-Israel:

Mersin - Haifa

All other measures remain in place.

Sources: UND and TOBB

27.04.2020

The measures related to drivers entering Turkey (Section B of previous decree) have been updated by the Turkish Ministry of Interior (previous measure here -  translation here). All of the below mentioned measures are not valid for entry/exit to and from Iran and Iraq. Previous measures on Sections A (Transit Vehicles and Drivers from Turkey), C (Drivers Exiting Turkey)and D (Conditions That Shall Be Applied to Roro Voyages) will remain.

According to the new updated measures:

o   All drivers will be subject to health checks. Foreign drivers who show symptoms related to COVID-19 will not be allowed to enter Turkey. Turkish drivers who show symptoms related to COVID-19 will be put in quarantine.

o   Foreign drivers who do not show symptoms of COVID-19 and who plan to leave Turkey within 72 hours of entering, will not be subject to a 14-day quarantine period.

o   Turkish drivers who do not show symptoms of COVID-19 will be allowed to leave Turkey without any quarantine procedures.

o   Trucks which are carrying goods such as medicine, medical supplies and food supplies that are urgent for Turkey, will be given priority to enter Turkey.

o   Foreign drivers should go to the nearest healthcare institution if they feel any signs and symptoms of COVID-19 (fever, cough, shortness of breath, etc.) developing within 72 hours of entering Turkey.

o   An additional 24-72 hour period can be given to the transporter by the relevant customs office, considering road and weather conditions.

o  Upon entry into the country, drivers will be obligated to agree with a letter of commitment from the Turkish Ministry of Interior stating that they will drive directly to their point of destination, non-stop, except in cases of emergency, otherwise fines will be issued under the General Public Health Law.

Source: UND

10.04.2020

On 9 April, the Turkish Ministry of Interior set out new measures (translation here) related to limit the spread COVID-19. According to the measures, all drivers will be subject to health checks. Individuals who show symptoms related to the disease will not be allowed to enter Turkey.

After medical checks by health authorities, Turkish drivers will be allowed to enter by signing a commitment which proves that they accept to quarantine at home for 14 days, if they visited risky countries within last 14 days.

Foreign drivers will drive to designated and isolated areas where the exchange of drivers and/or trailer/goods, will be performed. In case this is not possible, and in case they have visited countries at risk within the last 14 days (see list below), foreign drivers will be allowed to enter Turkish territory only after a mandatory 14 days quarantine.

Foreign trucks/drivers carrying goods, such as medicine, medical supplies and food supplies, that bear urgency for Turkey, are allowed to enter (without having to quarantine for 14 days) under the obligation to undergo major relevant health examinations/checks and the obligation of getting necessary protective measures.

Bulgarian, Azerbaijan, Nahcivan and Georgian drivers will be able to enter Turkey without waiting 14 days of quarantine period, after having undergone necessary health checks at the determined isolated areas and after the vehicles has been disinfected.

Ro-Ro vessels will only carry trailers (without truck) or containers; drivers will not be allowed to board Ro-Ro vessels.

All of above mentioned measures are not valid for entry/exit to and from Iran and Iraq. Foreign trucks and drivers in Turkey will be allowed to leave Turkey and reach those countries by using open border crossing points. However, they will not be allowed to return to Turkey after they have left.

Further clarification on the implementation of the order is expected from TOBB.

Source: TOBB

25.03.2020

Turkey has introduced restrictions on road freight transport.

Turkish drivers returning to their country have to undergo a fourteen-day quarantine. Drivers from a country in the list below can no longer enter Turkey. Drivers from a country not on the list can enter Turkeyafter having undergone a fourteen-day quarantine outside Turkey (at the border). The list of countries is regularly updated. It should be noted that, for Turkish vehicles only, procedures are in place at the border to tranship goods onto vehicles inside Turkey or to exchange drivers

Country list (updated on 23/03 afternoon):

Angola / Algeria / Austria / Belgium / Bangladesh / China / Canada / Czech Republic / Chad / Cameroon / Colombia / Denmark / Djibouti / Dominican Republic / Egypt / Ecuador / Equatorial Guinea / France / Finland / Germany / Guatemala / Hungary / Iran / Italy / Iraq / Ireland / India / Ivory Coast / Jordan / Kuwait / Kenya / Kosovo / Kazakhstan / Lebanon / Latvia / Montenegro / Morocco / Mongolia / Moldova / Mauritania / NCTR / Norway / Netherlands / Niger / Northern Macedonia / Nepal / Oman / Poland / Philippines / Portugal / Panama / Peru / South Korea / Spain / Sweden / Switzerland / Saudi Arabia / Slovenia / Sudan / Sri Lanka / UK / United Arab Emirates / Ukraine / Uzbekistan / Taiwan / Tunisia.

Source: UND

23.03.2020

Turkish authorities have taken additional measures to limit the spread of the coronavirus (Covid-19) pandemic. Please see the following amendments:

- With effect from 21 March, all flights to/from the listed countries have been prohibited. The entry of passengers from any of the mentioned countries has been stopped at all Turkish border gates (land, rail, air and sea);

- With effect from 19 March, the following borders have been closed to passengers for both entry and exit:

Border Gates between Turkey and Greece:

- Ipsala; 

- Pazarkule;

- Uzunköprü (railway)

Border Gates between Turkey and Bulgaria:

- Kapıkule (land);

- Kapıkule (railway); 

- Hamzabeyli;

- Dereköy.

Please note that there will be no restrictions for goods transportation.

Citizens of the listed countries and third-country nationals who have visited these countries within the past 14 days will not be allowed to enter Turkey (with an exception for truck drivers who are not citizen of listed countries; these drivers will be put in quarantine for 14 days at the border gate prior entering Turkey);

There is no restriction for citizens of the mentioned countries leaving Turkey.

Country list (updated on 23/03 afternoon):

Angola / Algeria / Austria / Belgium / Bangladesh / China / Canada / Czech Republic / Chad / Cameroon / Colombia / Denmark / Djibouti / Dominican Republic / Egypt / Ecuador / Equatorial Guinea / France / Finland / Germany / Guatemala / Hungary / Iran / Italy / Iraq / Ireland / India / Ivory Coast / Jordan / Kuwait / Kenya / Kosovo / Kazakhstan / Lebanon / Latvia / Montenegro / Morocco / Mongolia / Moldova / Mauritania / NCTR / Norway / Netherlands / Niger / Northern Macedonia / Nepal / Oman / Poland / Philippines / Portugal / Panama / Peru / South Korea / Spain / Sweden / Switzerland / Saudi Arabia / Slovenia / Sudan / Sri Lanka / UK / United Arab Emirates / Ukraine / Uzbekistan / Taiwan / Tunisia.

Source: UND

22.03.2020

Within the scope of current measures taken by Turkish authorities due to Corona Virus epidemic, the following applies: 

• As of 21st March, all flights with countries listed below have been halted. Passenger entries from the mentioned countries have been stopped at all Turkish border points (land, rail, air, sea) . 

• Citizens of the countries mentioned below and third-country nationals who have been in these countries within the past 14 days will not be allowed to enter Turkey. (All truck drivers who visited listed countries within the past 14 days will be put in quarantine for 14 days at border gate before entering Turkey)

• Citizens of the countries mentioned below willing to leave Turkey are not subject to restrictions. 

COUNTRY LIST:

China / Iran / Italy / Iraq / South Korea / Germany / France / Spain / Norway / Denmark / Belgium / Sweden / Netherlands / Austria / Egypt / UK / Switzerland / Saudi Arabia / Ireland / United Arab Emirates / Kuwait / Bangladesh / Mongolia / NCTR / Ukraine / Kosovo / Morocco / Lebanon / Jordan / Kazakhstan / Uzbekistan / Oman / Slovenia / Moldova / Djibouti / Equatorial Guinea / Canada / India / Hungary / Guatemala / Poland / Kenya / Sudan / Chad / Philippines / Latvia / Taiwan / Peru / Sri Lanka / Ecuador / Niger / Tunisia / Algeria / Ivory Coast / Finland / Angola / Pull / Dominican Republic / Cameroon / Montenegro / Colombia / Northern Macedonia / Mauritania / Nepal / Portugal / Panama

Source: UND

19.03.2020

All border gates have been closed to passengers from the following countries: Italy, Germany, France, Spain, Norway, Denmark, Belgium, Austria, Sweden, the Netherlands, China, Iran, Iraq, South Korea, United Arab Emirates, Saudi Arabia, Japan, Singapore, Hong-Kong and Thailand.

Turkish truck drivers entering the country from any of the listed countries will be quarantined for 14 days at home. Non-Turkish truck drivers (if they are not citizens of the listed country) entering the country from any of the listed countries will be quarantined for 14 days at the border and will not be permitted to enter Turkey during the quarantine period. Truck drivers who are citizens of the listed countries will not be allowed by Turkish authorities to enter Turkey.

With effect from the 15 March, the Sarp/Sarpi border between Turkey and Georgia has been closed for all passenger transport; passengers will be redirected to other land borders between the two countries. No restrictions have been imposed on freight transport.

With effect from the 19 March, the following borders have been closed to passengers for both entry and exit: Ipsala, Pazarkule, Uzunköprü (railway) the border between Turkey, Greece and Kapıkule (road), Kapıkule (railway), Hamzabeyli, Dereköy border between Turkey and Bulgaria. There will be no restrictions for goods transportation.

Source: Ministry of Interior – Republic of Turkey

16.03.2020

All border gates have been closed to passengers who have stayed in the following countries: Italy, Germany, France, Spain, Norway, Denmark, Belgium, Austria, Sweden, the Netherlands, China, Iran, Iraq, and South Korea.

Truck drivers (except Turkish drivers) who come from the listed countries will be put in quarantine for 14 days at border gate and will not be allowed by Turkish authorities to enter Turkey during the quarantine period.

As of March 15^th, Sarp / Sarpi border between Turkey and Georgia is closed for passenger transport. No restriction is imposed on freight transport, while passengers are redirected to other land borders gates between both countries.

Source: Ministry of Interior – Republic of Turkey