New Restrictions on Foreign-Plate Vehicles: HGS and Customs Controls Take Effect

The Ministry of Transportation and Infrastructure has issued a new regulation governing the transit fees and penalties for foreign-plate vehicles using toll roads. The regulation mandates that foreign-plate vehicles using toll roads must subscribe to systems like HGS and maintain sufficient balance in their accounts. Vehicles failing to pay their fines will be denied exit from Turkey, with debt information being electronically monitored at customs gates. Penalties for unpaid transit fees are structured as follows: No penalty for payments made within 15 days of the illegal transit date, but payments made between 15-45 days will incur a penalty equal to 1x the transit fee. Payments made after 45 days will result in an administrative penalty or fine totaling 4x the transit fee. In toll roads under the build-operate-transfer model or private operation, 60% of collected transit fees and penalties will go to the general budget, while 40% will be transferred to the operating company via the General Directorate of Highways.

This regulation could negatively impact Turkey's international trade flows while also contributing to the local economy. The restriction on foreign-plate vehicles exiting Turkey without paying transit fees may hinder international trade, but it could also enhance Turkey's international trade reliability and support the local economy.