Table of Contents
The Turkish Ministry of Trade (Ticaret Bakanlığı) is the public authority responsible for Türkiye’s internal and external trade policy and customs administration. It supports exporters and businesses, protects consumers, oversees product safety and market surveillance, and strengthens the international competitiveness of Turkish products and services. Competition enforcement is carried out by the independent Competition Authority (Rekabet Kurumu), with which the Ministry coordinates on market surveillance and consumer issues.
In line with its mission, the Ministry leads trade and customs policy, promotes exports and services trade, oversees import regimes and product safety, and modernizes customs and market surveillance to ensure faster and safer trade. For current goals and programs, see the Ministry’s official website (trade.gov.tr).
About the Turkish Ministry of Trade
The Ministry of Trade in Türkiye is responsible for commercial and customs transactions nationwide, including customs services, internal trade regulations, international trade agreements, trade defense instruments (anti-dumping, safeguards, etc.), product safety and market surveillance, consumer protection and arbitration committees, and the oversight of electronic commerce platforms (via ETBIS registration). Key portions of e-commerce are governed by Law No. 6563 (as amended by Law No. 7416), with obligations phased in through 2024–2025.
The Ministry’s emblem features the crescent-and-star motif used in Türkiye’s state heraldry.
Leadership (2025)
As of September 2025, the Ministry is led by Minister Ömer Bolat (appointed on 4 June 2023). Deputy Ministers include Mahmut Gürcan and Sezai Uçarmak, among others. For the most up-to-date roster, consult the Ministry’s leadership pages on the official website.
History and recent reorganizations
Trade and customs administration dates back to the Ottoman era. During reforms in the 19th century (after the 1839 Tanzimat period), trade-related councils evolved into ministerial structures. In the Republic era, a Ministry of Trade was established in 1924. Over time, trade portfolios were periodically merged or separated with economy, agriculture, and industry functions.
The current Ministry of Trade was formed in July 2018 under Türkiye’s presidential system by Presidential Decree No. 1, combining the former Ministry of Economy with the Ministry of Customs and Trade. Subsequent cabinet updates in 2021 and 2023 refined departmental responsibilities, but the core mandate—trade policy, customs, consumer protection, and market surveillance—remains.
The administrative structure of the Ministry of Trade in Türkiye
The Ministry’s central organization comprises the Minister’s Office, deputy ministers, and main service units. Key directorates and units include (names may appear in English or Turkish on official pages):
Central institutions
- Press and Public Relations (Communications)
- General Directorate of Information Technologies
- Support Services Department
- General Directorate of Export
- General Directorate of Import
- General Directorate of Customs
- General Directorate of Customs Enforcement
- General Directorate of Internal (Domestic) Trade
- General Directorate of Product Safety and Inspection
- General Directorate of Consumer Protection and Market Surveillance
- General Directorate of International Agreements and the European Union
- General Directorate of Free Zones, Overseas Investment and Services
- General Directorate of Tradesmen, Craftsmen and Cooperatives
- General Directorate of Risk Management, Liquidation and Revolving Fund
- General Directorate of Trade Research and Risk Assessment
- General Directorate of Personnel
- Strategy Development Department
- Legal Services Department
- Internal Audit Unit
- Guidance and Inspection Department (Rehberlik ve Teftiş)
Beyond its Ankara headquarters, the Ministry operates regional and provincial directorates across Türkiye and maintains commercial counsellor/attaché offices in many countries to support exporters and monitor overseas markets.
Current priorities and programs (2023–2025)
- Export promotion and branding: TURQUALITY/Brand Support, trade delegations, fairs, and market-entry incentives target higher value-added goods and services exports, aligned with Türkiye’s Medium-Term Program. E-export (e‑ihracat) supports have expanded, including logistics and digital marketing components.
- Customs modernization: Risk-based controls, the Single Window (Tek Pencere), the BİLGE customs system, Authorized Economic Operator (AEO) facilitation, and end-to-end digital declarations aim to speed up trade while improving enforcement and traceability.
- EU–Türkiye Customs Union agenda: The Ministry coordinates technical work for modernization of the Customs Union and alignment with EU acquis, including product safety and market surveillance rules.
- Green and digital trade: The Ministry supports compliance with international standards and the European Green Deal, including the EU’s Carbon Border Adjustment Mechanism (CBAM), whose transitional reporting started in October 2023 and is set to phase in financially from 2026. Oversight of e-commerce continues via ETBIS and secondary regulations under Law No. 7416.
- Trade policy outreach: The Ministry manages bilateral and multilateral engagements, WTO processes (including participation at MC13 in 2024), and trade-defense investigations to ensure fair competition for domestic producers.
Practical tips for businesses and consumers
- Exporters: Explore supports on trade.gov.tr. For small consignments, “micro export” (ETGB) can be used up to applicable weight/value thresholds. Consider AEO status to access simplified customs procedures.
- E-commerce operators: Register on ETBIS and review obligations under Law No. 6563 (as amended by 7416). Check data, advertising, and unfair competition provisions and their phased timelines.
- Manufacturers/importers: Verify product conformity before placing on the market. Border and in-market checks are conducted by the Ministry; non-compliance may lead to penalties and recalls.
- Consumers: For disputes, apply to Consumer Arbitration Committees via the Tüketici Bilgi Sistemi (TÜBİS) on e‑Devlet; for advice or complaints, call ALO 175.
Tasks of the Turkish Ministry of Trade
Under the laws of the Republic and the constitution in Turkey, the Ministry implements and coordinates trade and customs policy. Core duties include:
- Set and coordinate internal and external trade policies, including export strategies and services trade.
- Design and implement export supports and incentives; promote export diversification and value addition (including e‑export).
- Manage import regimes to protect legitimate trade and domestic industry; apply trade policy defense tools consistent with international rules.
- Negotiate, implement, and monitor bilateral, regional, and multilateral trade agreements and economic cooperation frameworks; provide official positions on these matters.
- Conduct market surveillance and inspection of products; ensure product safety at the border and on the market.
- Protect consumer rights through legislation, inspections, and consumer arbitration committees; operate hotlines and digital complaint channels.
- Prepare and implement customs policy; ensure efficient, standards-based customs services and coordinated border management.
- Manage customs tariffs and the assessment, collection, and post-clearance control of duties, taxes, and other levies; compile and publish customs statistics.
- Authorize and supervise temporary storage areas, warehouses, logistics centers, and duty-free sales units; conduct liquidation procedures for goods under customs legislation.
- Oversee customs areas at road, rail, air, and sea gateways; ensure public order and security coordination within customs-bonded zones.
- Coordinate application of trade policies across public institutions and organizations; cooperate with chambers, exchanges, and sectoral bodies.
- Formulate policies and strategies for tradesmen, craftsmen, and cooperatives in cooperation with relevant organizations.
- Oversee companies, cooperatives, commercial registry offices, and merchant/craftsmen registries (e.g., MERSİS).
- Regulate and supervise customs brokers and consultancy services.
- Ensure alignment of cross-government regulations that affect trade policy; coordinate implementation.
- Support overseas investment by Turkish companies and free zones and coordinate, where relevant, with the Presidency’s Investment Office regarding FDI.
- Ensure products in foreign trade comply with legislation and standards; strengthen conformity assessment and surveillance.
- Carry out other duties assigned by laws and presidential decrees.
Contact the Turkish Ministry of Trade
Main campus address:
Söğütözü Yerleşkesi, Söğütözü Mah. 2176. Sk. No: 63, 06530 Çankaya/Ankara
Official website (English): trade.gov.tr
Call center: +90 312 204 75 00 (general switchboard)
Consumer hotline: ALO 175 (apply to Arbitration Committees via the TÜBİS service on e‑Devlet)
To report smuggling or customs-related offenses online, use the Ministry’s form here.
Note: This page reflects information available as of 17 September 2025. Always check official sources for the latest updates.
