What Is a Surveillance Certificate? Surveillance Value and Its Impact on Import Costs

Import surveillance is a foreign trade regulation tool that Türkiye applies to certain product groups. For products covered by the surveillance practice, if a declaration is made below the specified surveillance value, obtaining a surveillance certificate is mandatory. This practice can directly affect import costs and must definitely be checked before placing an order.

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What Is the Surveillance Practice?

Import surveillance is a mechanism applied by the Ministry of Trade to monitor the import of certain products and protect domestic producers. For products covered by the surveillance practice, if the unit value (CIF value / quantity) falls below the specified surveillance value, the importer must obtain a surveillance certificate from the Ministry of Trade.

Purpose of the Surveillance Practice

Protecting domestic producers against low-priced imports
Monitoring import statistics more reliably
Preventing unfair competition in the market
Supporting product safety and quality standards

What Is the Surveillance Value?

The surveillance value is the minimum unit price threshold applied to the import of a product. This value is determined by the Ministry of Trade according to the product's GTIP (HS) code and announced through communiqués.

How the Surveillance Value Is Determined

Surveillance values are generally set in USD or EUR per kilogram. The values vary according to the product group, country of origin and market conditions, and may be updated periodically.

The Relationship Between Surveillance Value and Cost

The surveillance value can affect import costs as follows:

If the declared value is above the surveillance value: No surveillance certificate is required; normal customs clearance is carried out
If the declared value is below the surveillance value: A surveillance certificate must be obtained

For imports that fall below the surveillance value, the customs value and documentation process to be followed must be assessed according to the relevant surveillance communiqué, the product's GTIP code, origin, declaration method and the current practice of the customs authority. Declaring a value different from the actual sales price should not be regarded as an automatic or risk-free option.

How Is a Surveillance Certificate Obtained?

Applications for a surveillance certificate are made to the General Directorate of Imports of the Ministry of Trade. The application process and the required documents may vary depending on the product group.

Where the relevant legislation requires it, surveillance certificate applications are made by company officials using an electronic signature through the Ministry of Trade's İthalatBİS system. Application documents and evaluation criteria may vary according to the relevant surveillance communiqué.

General Application Process

Confirmation of the relevant communiqué and product scope
Preparation of the application petition and its annexes
Proforma invoice, sample customs declarations
Capacity report or production certificate (in some cases)
Ministry evaluation and issuance of the certificate

Points to Consider

Surveillance certificate applications may take time
The certificate's validity period is limited
The quantity and value stated on the certificate cannot be exceeded
The certificate cannot be transferred

Which Products Are Subject to Surveillance?

Products covered by the surveillance practice are determined by Ministry of Trade communiqués. Product groups commonly subject to surveillance may include textiles, iron and steel, ceramics, glass, plastics and certain agricultural products. However, since the scope is constantly updated, the current legislation must be checked in every import operation.

Surveillance and Import Cost Planning

The surveillance practice is a factor that must definitely be taken into account when carrying out an import cost analysis. If a declaration is made at the surveillance value:

The customs duty base increases
The VAT base increases
The total tax burden may rise significantly

Therefore, before placing an order, it is essential to investigate whether the product is within the scope of surveillance and what the current surveillance value is.

Common Mistakes Regarding Surveillance

Placing an order without checking whether the product is within the scope of surveillance
Declaring below the surveillance value and not obtaining the certificate
Failing to factor in the certificate application time
Not following updates to surveillance values
Ignoring the impact of surveillance in the total cost calculation

Pre-Order Surveillance Check

To assess surveillance risk in your import operation, you can use our Import Risk Checklist guide. To find out the surveillance status according to your GTIP code, you can benefit from our GTIP and customs risk assessment service.