Türkiye has been implementing an export-oriented strategy since 1980. The basic
objective of this strategy is to constitute an outward oriented economic
structure in the framework of free market economy and to be integrated with
world markets.
With this new strategy, export intensive measures consisting of various
supportive components, arrangements directed to the foreign trade
liberalization.
In addition to liberal arrangements made to improve exports, some support
programs came into effect. The main facilities provided for the exporters were
as follows: corporation tax exemption, tax refund, premium to the Resource
Utilization and Support Fund, subsidies obtained from the Support and Price
Stabilization Fund. However, the above mentioned supports have been gradually
eliminated in accordance with our international commitments since the second
half of 1980s.
On the other hand, with the establishment of the Turk Eximbank in 1987, supporting exports gained a new dimension. In
this respect, in order to increase the competitive strength of the Turkish
exporters in foreign markets, some credits and guarantee programs under the
international commitments began to be applied to the sectors with high export
potentials.
Related to particularly support of exports, policies of the foreign trade
strategy that was set up under the conditions of 1980s have been reviewed and
modified in view of the developments taken place in the world and Türkiye in the
1990s. In this respect, State Aids prepared in compliance chiefly with the
World Trade Organization and our international commitments were put into
practice as of 01.Jun.1995.
The most significant phenomenon in Türkiye’s foreign trade policy is the Customs
Union established between the EU and Türkiye as of 01.Jan.1996. This development
initiated the duration needed for the legal infrastructural consistency of
foreign trade strategy with the EU’s norms, and thus both import and export
regimes have been made consistent with the regulations of the EU. The Free
Trade Agreements signed with the Central and Eastern European Countries and
Israel must be regarded as the factors directly affecting our trade in the
consistency framework of the Community’s Common Trade Policy.
Within the framework of the modifications made in the laws, the Export Support
Regime applied until 1.1.1996 was modified in compliance with the Customs Code
of the Community.
In place of the Export Support Regime applied in the framework of the Export
Support Decision No. 94/5782 based on obtaining raw materials at world market
prices, the Inward Processing Regime numbered 95/7615, published in the
Official Gazette 31.Dec.1995, entered into force as of 01.Jan.1996. For today,
implemented Inward Processing Regime (IPR)
via Decree NO. 2005/8391 put into force on January 27, 2005.
According to the modifications in the Export Regime, (article 4(e) of the Export
Regulation), "an exporter" is defined as a person who is a member of
the related Exporters’ Association,
- a natural or legal person having a single tax number,
- tradesmen and craftsmen dealing with production and is registered to the
Chambers of Tradesmen and Craftsmen
- joint-venture,
- consortium.
Export is the "de facto" exportation of goods or their value in
compliance with the current Export Regulations, Customs Regulations and
bringing the value of the goods back to the country through Turkish Currency
Legislations or other ways of leaving country which can be accepted as an
export by the Undersecretariat for Foreign Trade.
Types of exports are as follows:
- Exports having no special nature
- Exports on registration
- Exports on credit
- Exports by means of consignment
- Exportation of imported goods
- Exportation to free zones
- Exportation made through counter purchase or barter trade
- Exports through leasing
- Transit trade
- Exports without returns
All goods, other than those whose exportation is prohibited by laws, decrees and
international agreements, can be freely exported within the framework of the
Export Regime Decree.
However, within the framework of WTO rules, restrictions and prohibitions on
exports may be imposed in case of market turmoil, scarcity of exported goods,
in order to protect public safety, morals, health; flora and fauna,
environment, as well as, articles bearing artistic, historical and
archeological value.
The goods whose exportation is prohibited and subject to permit are listed in
the Communiqué numbered 96/31.
(Source: Undersecretariat of the Prime Ministry for Foreign Trade Web Site)