How To Import from Turkey To USA .. A Full Guide 2024

A full guide about how to import from Turkey to USA, the required documents for every product and the Import duties that you need to pay.

To import from Turkey to the US provides you with an important opportunity to get high quality products at cheap prices to make a profit for your company.

About importing from Turkey to the USA

The United States and the Republic of Türkiye enjoyed robust trade in 2022, with goods and services transactions totaling an estimated $42.0 billion.expand_more However, a trade deficit of $3.1 billion existed for the U.S., resulting from $19.4 billion in exports and $22.5 billion in imports.expand_more

Specifically within the goods sector, U.S. exports to the Republic of Türkiye reached $15.2 billion in 2022, demonstrating remarkable growth – a 27.4% increase from 2021 and a 22% increase from 2012.expand_more Imports experienced a similar climb, totaling $18.8 billion in 2022.expand_more This marks an 18.6% growth from 2021 and a substantial 199% surge since 2012.expand_more

The services sector tells a slightly different story. U.S. exports of services to the Republic of Türkiye reached $4.3 billion in 2022, up 26.4% from the previous year, while U.S.expand_more imports jumped by 74.7% to $3.7 billion.expand_more Here, the United States enjoyed a notable $536 million service trade surplus with the Republic of Türkiye, though smaller than in 2021.

Products that the U.S. import from Turkey

Stone & Glass, Textiles, Machinery & Electronics, Metals, and Mineral Products are Turkey’s top five import categories. These items account for 62 percent of The total export from Turkey to USA.

Importing Textiles and Turkish clothes

Turkey’s textile industry is well developed, which explains why Textiles exports comprise a significant percentage of Turkey’s total export volume.

This is by no means a coincidence, as the Turkish textile industry has supplied H&M, Zara, and Nike with quality clothing and fabric.

Although the prices are higher in Asian countries, Turkish textile products are preferred because of their superior quality and craftsmanship.
Turkish textiles are some of the highest quality.

When discussing import from Turkey to USA, the first items that come to mind are Turkish textiles. Home textile products, such as carpets, rugs, and towels, are also high qualıty made in Turkey products that you can import.

Isparta, Kocaeli, and Gaziantep are the main areas where one can find luxury handmade carpets as well as standard carpets for home use.

Porcelain and Ceramic

The Turkish Republic also possesses vast amounts of tile deposits, and some of the most beautiful tiles such as mosaic, marble, and ceramic have been exported.

Kutahya Porcelain is a very good example for a Turkish company that you can buy the best ceramic and porcelain products to import from Turkey to USA.

Elegancy and quality of Turkish  porcolein is well-known, and many homeowners in America have chosen it.

Turkish tile products can be found in numerous other countries as well. With abundant reserves of porcelain, ceramic, and faience, Turkey also has an abundance of marble tiles.

Dry Fruit and Nuts

Turkey is a major supplier of hazelnuts, walnuts, figs, and apricots, They are, in fact, the most delectable of their kind, with one exception: they are even more delectable than they are plentiful.

Turkey, for example, supplies roughly 70% of the world’s hazelnut demand.

In addition, Turkish ingredients are likely to be found in baked goods such as biscuits, cookies, crackers, and chocolates.

Another important Turkish product when we think about import from Turkey to USA is pistachio, which is grown in high quality in Gaziantep and Siirt.

Also, dried fruits, particularly figs and apricots, are well-known in Turkey. Dried fruit exports account for a significant portion of Turkish trade.

What to import from Turkey to the US

There are many products to import from Turkey. For example, the country produces a lot of olive oil and olives.

In the same way, one of the most popular products is Turkish coffee. It has a rich taste and consistency that you will enjoy without any compromise.

Turkish clothes is another great choice for you. They are made of quality materials such as cotton and wool. The variety of colors, cuts, and styles make it an attractive option to numerous customers in the world market.

Turkish dried fruit is also good. It has a sweet taste and is often served with many meals or snacks around the world, especially in the Islamic countries that consume this product regularly.

Turkish halal food is something else to invest your money in. This type of product will help you make more income among the Muslim community in the US.

Turkey also produces leather handbags for women and men alike to use all year round as they move from one place to another. These products are made of 100% pure leather material, which makes them durable and easy to clean by applying water or any other cleaning solution for items like these. If you want an elegant handbag, try products from Turkey now!

The country also produces carpets, blankets, and rugs of high quality. These items are made in Turkey using wool, cotton, or other fabrics that do not fade over time. They also have unique finishes that will impress you very much if you decide to buy Turkish products today.

Turkish coffee is the best option if you want a delicious cup of  coffee. You can drink it every day because its taste does not change when warmed once again. It has an excellent aroma for your enjoyment as well.

Turkey produces many types of pastas including spaghetti, spinach ravioli, canned pasta such as tuna and mackerel in tomato sauce, egg noodles and many more that are good for cooking any type of meal all year long!

If you are a meat lover, the turkey products you can find online will be a great food for your diet. The country produces frozen chicken breast fillet in different sizes and cuts. You can buy packages of 2 pounds or 10 pounds and frozen pork with cuts such as chops, loins, and roasts as well. Turkey also makes various types of sausages with natural flavors to give every meal an amazing taste like no other!

Turkey’s cheese is rich in flavor with names that sound more European than Turkish! It is made from pasteurized cow’s milk. If you are looking for something exotic yet delicious to cook during special occasions, this is a hidden gem waiting to be discovered by thousands of people who will follow your lead when it comes to eating cheese from Turkey.

Required documents to import from Turkey to the USA

Shipments from Turkey to the United States must include a commercial invoice as well as a bill of lading or air waybill.

Other papers may also be required for importing from Turkey to the USA based on the type of imported products, You may need to include a Certificate of Origin, Control Certificates (for animals, animal products, and certain plants), import licenses, phytosanitary certificates, and other documents.

Specific criteria for the shipment of the following items have to be met when shipping them from Turkey to the United States.

If you plan to ship one of the commodities listed below, make sure to follow the guidelines to avoid delays and retains at customs.

Agriculture

Interstate and foreign commerce prohibits importing, exporting, transporting, selling, receiving, and acquiring any plant in trade in violation of international or domestic laws.

Importation is done only when a declaration is made and this declaration must include:

• The plant’s scientific name (including genus & species)
• Importation value
• The plant quantity
• The name of the country or territory where the plant was harvested

Without regard to species or country or territory of harvest, declare the average percentage of recycled content in paper and paperboard products.

Declare the average percent recycled content of paper and paperboard products without regard to species or country or territory of harvest.

The declaration requirement does not apply to packaging used to support, protect, or transport another item (unless the packaging itself is the item being imported).

Animals and their Byproducts

The importation of ruminant meat products, including those for human consumption, other than gelatin, milk, and milk products, from animals such as cows, deer, goats, sheep, and other cloven-hoofed animals is currently prohibited in the United States.

For more information on importing animal and animal by-products into the United States from Turkey, contact the USDA Veterinary Services at www.aphis.usda.gov or 1-301-734-3277.

Food

The Food and Drug Administration (FDA) revised its regulations regarding the submission of prior notice for imported food. Modifications to the prior notice regulations:

In all circumstances, the manufacturer’s registration number (or the manufacturer’s full address and a reason) is required.

If the shipper is different from the manufacturer, the final rule will require the PN (prior notice) to include the shipper’s name and full address (in order to eliminate duplicative requirements)

Manufacturer’s identity, for food that is no longer in its natural state (for commercial shipments):

The final rule will revise the PN information requirements in 21 CFR 1.281(a)(6) for an article of food that is no longer in its natural state, requiring the name of the manufacturer as well as one of the following:

The manufacturer’s registration number, city, and country or territory

Both the manufacturer’s full address and the reason for the lack of a registration number are provided.

Preliminary Notice Requirements for Imported Food:

Requirements to Submit Prior Notice of Food import from Turkey to USA:

• Registration Numbers
• Grower Identity
• Product Identity
• Changes to Prior Notice Submissions
• Changes to Shipments
• PNSI and ACS/ABI Features Confirmation

Books

A commercial invoice is required for book shipments. When US Customs and Border Protection requests a commercial invoice, it is the importer’s responsibility to provide one.

Read also: Turkish airline cargo

Chemicals

The Toxic Substances Control Act (TSCA) governs the manufacture, processing, commercial distribution, use, or disposal of any chemical substance or mixture that may pose an unreasonable risk of harm to health or the environment, as required by the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA).

Customs and Border Protection (CBP) will not release chemical substances imported in bulk or as part of a mixture or article containing a chemical substance or mixture unless proper certification of compliance or exemption form requirements are present.

A TSCA Declaration is required at the time of entry for all articles in Chapters 28 and 29 of the United States Harmonized Tariff Schedule (HTSUS). Here are some examples:

Fluorine, chlorine, iodine, sulfur inorganic acids, halogen and sulfur compounds of nonmetals hydrocarbons ethers are examples of chemical elements.
Ammonia, ball point pens, cartridges, and zinc are also subject to TSCA regulations.

Declaration Types

Negative Declaration – certification that the shipment is not subject to TSCA regulations or is exempt from them.
Positive Declaration – certification that the shipment is in accordance with TSCA regulations.

Prior to releasing the shipment, the importer must provide a signed declaration. Importers who have questions should call the TSCA Hotline at 1-202-554-1404.

Clothing

A commercial invoice for importing clothing into the US must include the following:

Fabric content
Manufacturer of each article
Complete address of each Manufacturer
Knit or Woven
Gender
Weight and Dimensions of Fabric

Read also: Wholesale clothes in Turkey

Shoes

Shipments of footwear must include a footwear declaration that has been completed and submitted to US Customs and Border Protection.

Cosmetics

Bath (essential) oils and cosmetics, require FDA clearance when Import from Turkey to USA.

Food and nutritional supplements

There may be restrictions on dietary supplements, vitamins, and herbal supplements in the country or territory to which you travel.

To prevent mistakes and issues, shippers should contact the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) and the United States Department of Agriculture (USDA) before exporting their products.

In importing these commodities from Turkey to the USA, the importer must make sure that importing regulations have been confirmed with the relevant government agency that regulates those commodities. Every shipper sending shipments into the United States or internationally must include Lot Numbers on their shipping invoices for vitamins, dietary supplements, and herbal remedies.

Seeds

Seeds require a USDA Plant Protection and Quarantine (PPQ) Permit or Phytosanitary Certificate if being shipped into the United States. The USDA insists on an inspection.

Jewelry

Jewelry can be part of your business when you import from Turkey to USA.

When the value of a shipment of jewelry does not exceed US$500.00, then shipments can be sent.

Costume jewelry is defined as jewelry with a retail price of less than US$150.00 per item that does not contain precious metal(s) and/or stone(s) and can only be shipped up to this value from Turkey to the USA.

Artwork

Importing Artwork from Turkey the USA can only be done with an International Special Commodities (ISC) contract.

Paintings or other works of art may be accepted if the artist is still alive, the artwork is replaceable, and the artwork has been appraised within the last year by an art dealer or gallery. If the declared value of the artwork is more than $100.00 and there is a claim, the shipper must provide a copy of the original invoice, a bill of sale, or other proof certifying the actual cost or replacement cost of the item in writing.

Original engravings, prints, lithographs, original sculptures, and statuary are examples of artwork.

Architectural, engineering, industrial, topographical, and commercial drawings, as well as hand-painted or hand-decorated manufactured articles, are not considered “artwork.”

Import duties from Turkey to USA

 The US uses the Harmonized Tariff Schedule (HTS) codes, which can be found on the official website.

In the case of Import duties from Turkey to USA, you should usually check the General Rates of Duty.