Preparing For Brexit’s Impact On Turkish‑UK Export Documentation
By Engin Sindel, Assist Export, Türkiye
Brexit. It's been years since the term first entered our daily vocabulary, yet its ripples are still being felt. For businesses in Türkiye that export to the United Kingdom, the terrain has shifted—subtly in some places, dramatically in others. One of the areas where the changes can feel most immediate, and oddly most overlooked, is documentation.
Before Brexit, exporters from Türkiye to the UK often relied on the familiar ATR certificate under the EU-Türkiye Customs Union. It was a relatively smooth process. But with the UK stepping outside of the EU structure, that path closed. The ATR no longer applies. And while a new trade agreement between Türkiye and the UK has filled the gap in many ways, the rules and paperwork have changed. Slightly. Enough to matter.
Let me put it plainly: assuming the old ways still apply can get you into trouble. And not just in theory.
We had a client—a well-established home textiles exporter in Bursa—who assumed that their regular documentation from 2020 would hold up for a January 2021 shipment. The shipment was delayed at the UK port due to lack of a valid proof of origin. They hadn't switched to the new certificate required under the updated UK-Türkiye FTA. What followed was a scramble: reissuing forms, coordinating with freight agents, negotiating customs penalties. It was avoidable. But only with awareness.
So, what does the new process look like? In simple terms, to benefit from preferential tariffs under the current Free Trade Agreement, exporters need to include a Statement on Origin. This isn't a stamped certificate from customs. It's a declaration placed on the invoice (or commercial document) by the exporter, attesting that the goods meet the rules of origin criteria under the UK-Türkiye FTA.
Sounds straightforward? In principle, yes. But getting the content of the statement exactly right—including specific language, exporter details, and HS codes—can be trickier than it sounds. And if the value of goods exceeds a certain threshold, the exporter must also be registered with the appropriate Turkish customs authority (often via the EORI number or equivalent local identifier).
Another nuance is around rules of origin themselves. These are not static. They vary based on product type, material sourcing, and even packaging. In practical terms, a furniture exporter and an electronics supplier might face different compliance requirements even if they're shipping to the same UK client. That's why cookie-cutter solutions rarely work.
The impact is more than administrative. Mistakes in documentation can lead to loss of preferential tariff status, delays in customs clearance, or worse—entire shipments being returned. And we’ve seen all three happen in the past 24 months. Usually not due to negligence, but because the exporter didn’t quite grasp the extent of the shift.
At Assist Export, we spend more time than ever now walking clients through these requirements. We help draft origin statements, verify product codes, and coordinate with customs brokers to make sure everyone is aligned. It’s not glamorous work. But it’s necessary. Because in the world of cross-border trade, clarity is everything.
There’s also a broader implication. Brexit, in many ways, reminds us that trade frameworks are never permanent. Agreements evolve. Countries pivot. Documentation, once taken for granted, suddenly becomes critical. Being nimble isn’t just an advantage—it’s a requirement.
We’re also proud to share that Assist Export, based in Türkiye, is a nominee for the 2025 Go Global Awards, which will be held in London this November. Hosted by the International Trade Council, the event is more than just an acknowledgment of excellence. It's a forum of minds—innovators, strategists, exporters, thinkers—from around the globe. It’s where connections are made and ideas sharpened. We’re humbled to take part, especially as the industry adapts to global shifts like Brexit.
So, if you're exporting to the UK, take a moment. Recheck your documentation templates. Ask yourself: does my invoice include the required origin statement? Are my product classifications up to date? Am I registered as an approved exporter? Because post-Brexit, details matter more than ever.
Exporting isn’t just about getting goods from point A to B. It’s about navigating the spaces between—regulations, expectations, partnerships. And in that space, good documentation isn't just paperwork. It's strategy.
