What Is TAREKS?

Many companies importing a machine or an electrical product from abroad first learn that they need approval from a system called "TAREKS" at customs, when the shipment is already being held. Yet knowing in advance how TAREKS works prevents a surprise that could extend the import process by weeks. In this article we explain what TAREKS is, which products it covers, and how it works in practice.

What Is TAREKS?

TAREKS is the Turkish abbreviation for "Türkiye's Risk-Based Control System for Import and Export." It is an electronic platform operated by the Ministry of Trade, and its purpose is to check the conformity of products entering or leaving Türkiye with technical legislation, using a risk-based approach, without unnecessarily slowing down the customs process. The system analyzes the information declared by the importer (product group, HS Code (GTİP), manufacturer, country of origin, etc.) and decides whether the shipment will be subject to technical inspection, and if so, at what intensity.

The core logic of TAREKS is that it is "risk-based": not every shipment is examined at the same intensity. Based on criteria such as historical data, the risk level of the product group, and the company's track record, the system releases some shipments directly, routes some to document review, and routes others to physical or laboratory inspection.

Which Products Does TAREKS Cover?

The scope of TAREKS is determined by the Product Safety and Inspection (ÜGD) communiqués published by the Ministry of Trade. These communiqués list which HS Codes are inspected under which technical legislation. Frequently encountered product groups include machinery, electrical and electronic devices, personal protective equipment, toys, construction materials and pressure equipment. Whether a product falls within TAREKS scope is clarified through its HS Code; see our article How Is the HS Code (GTİP) Determined? for detailed information on this topic.

How Does the TAREKS Process Work?

1. The importer or customs broker submits the TAREKS application electronically, at the customs declaration stage.
2. The system assesses the declared information against risk criteria.
3. If risk is low, the shipment may be approved directly (a "green lane"-like result).
4. If risk is medium/high, the relevant regional directorate reviews the technical file and documents (declaration of conformity, test reports, label, user manual).
5. If necessary, a physical inspection of the sample or a laboratory test is requested.
6. Following the review, the product is approved, corrective action is requested, or, if the result is negative, the product is held at customs or directed toward a return/destruction process.

We detail which documents are checked at the document review stage of this process in our article Which Documents Are Required?.

TAREKS and Other Inspection Mechanisms

We cover the role of TSE review in the process in our article How Is TSE Review Carried Out?.

Most Common Mistakes

• Assuming whether a product falls within TAREKS scope without checking its HS Code.
• Trying to prepare the technical file and declaration of conformity at the last minute, at the moment of import.
• Overlooking the requirement that the user manual be in Turkish.
• Placing an order without requesting a technical file from the manufacturer, and later encountering missing documents.
• Not reviewing the process again for a product group that previously had issues on TAREKS, even when the supplier/model has changed.

Frequently Asked Questions

Conclusion

TAREKS inspects the conformity of products imported into Türkiye with technical legislation, through a risk-based system that tries to keep customs flow as fast as possible. The predictability of the process depends on the technical file and the declaration of conformity being fully prepared before import.