Temporary Imported Vehicles Granted 730-Day Use Period Under New Customs Decree

Turkey has officially published a new customs decree granting individuals residing outside the Turkish Customs Territory a 730-day usage period for temporarily imported motor vehicles.

Core Amendments of the New Decree

■The definition of retirement certificate has been revised; applicants must now present a document issued under the social security legislation of the relevant foreign country, accompanied by a notarized Turkish translation.

■Vehicle usage rights have been broadened to include the permit holder’s spouse or relatives living abroad, provided the permit holder is present in the vehicle.

■The temporary import duration is fixed at 730 days, during which tax exemptions and customs duty waivers will apply.

Sectoral and Macro‑Economic Implications

■Automotive exporters can increase their temporary vehicle offerings in Turkey, especially in the luxury and commercial segments, potentially boosting demand.

■Customs revenues may face a modest dip, a metric that the Turkish Statistical Institute (TÜİK) and the Central Bank of the Republic of Turkey (CBRT) will monitor closely; short‑term fiscal deficits could feel slight pressure.

■Banks and financial institutions may develop new collateral frameworks for firms engaging in temporary imports, diversifying their credit portfolios.

Operational and Legal Compliance Roadmap

■Companies must digitalize retirement certificate verification and partner with rapid‑turnaround notarization services for certified translations.

■The Customs Brokerage Association will upgrade the e‑document system to enforce the new procedures, targeting a 30‑day implementation window.

■Compliance risk rises; non‑conformity could trigger monetary penalties and vehicle repatriation mandates.

Fatih Kılıç – The decree is likely to spur short‑term demand in the automotive sector by easing temporary imports, yet the accompanying reduction in customs receipts could prompt fiscal policymakers to seek compensatory measures. Investors should consider a cautious stance on automotive ancillary stocks and related financial instruments, weighing the upside of increased activity against potential macro‑policy adjustments.