Importing from Turkey to Russia: Documents, EAC, Duties and Delivery
A practical guide to importing from Turkey to Russia: who does what, the document set, EAC conformity, duties and VAT, food controls, payment and compliance checks, and the road routes in 2026.
Importing from Turkey to Russia brings Turkish textiles, furniture, building materials, food, machinery and consumer goods into the Eurasian Economic Union (EAEU) market. Turkey is outside the EAEU, so every shipment goes through the full import procedure: conformity documents, customs duties and VAT, product-specific controls and a transport route that, in 2026, runs mainly by road through Georgia.
If you are new to Turkish suppliers, start with our general guide on how to import from Turkey. This guide is written for buyers and distributors in Russia and for foreign companies supplying the Russian market from Turkey. It explains who is responsible for each step, which documents are needed, how EAC conformity and taxes work, what to check on payments and compliance, and how the cargo actually reaches your warehouse.
Who does what when importing from Turkey to Russia
Three parties share the work, and most delays happen when a task falls between them:
- Turkish supplier: produces the goods, issues the commercial invoice and packing list, files the Turkish export declaration and obtains the certificate of origin and, for food and plants, the phytosanitary or veterinary certificate.
- Russian importer: signs the foreign trade contract, holds or arranges the EAC conformity documents, acts as declarant for import clearance (usually through a customs broker), pays duties and VAT and meets currency control requirements at its bank.
- Forwarder and carrier: plan the route and vehicle, prepare the CMR consignment note and transit documents, submit advance cargo information and deliver to the agreed customs office or door.
For import clearance in the EAEU, the declarant must be a person registered in the union, which in practice means the Russian buyer or its broker. A Turkish seller cannot clear goods into Russia on its own.
Step by step
- Classify the goods: agree the tariff code (HS / TN VED) with your broker. It decides the duty rate, the VAT rate and whether EAC documents, marking or permits are needed.
- Arrange conformity documents: obtain the EAC certificate or declaration before shipment, not after the truck arrives.
- Sign the contract: fix the Incoterms rule, payment terms, delivery point and document list. Our guide to Incoterms 2020 explains FCA, DAP and the other rules.
- Book transport: choose full truckload or groupage and the route.
- Export from Turkey: the supplier's broker files the export declaration; the truck leaves under a TIR carnet or transit declaration.
- Enter the EAEU and clear: the truck crosses into Russia, travels in transit to the destination customs office, and the broker files the import declaration and pays duties and VAT.
Documents for importing from Turkey to Russia
| Document | Purpose | Provided by |
|---|---|---|
| Foreign trade contract | Basis for customs and currency control | Buyer and seller |
| Commercial invoice and packing list | Value, quantities, weights, packaging | Supplier |
| CMR consignment note | Road transport contract and shipment data | Carrier |
| TIR carnet or transit declaration | Transit under customs control to the destination office | Carrier |
| Certificate of origin | Country of origin; often requested by the broker | Supplier, via a Turkish chamber of commerce |
| EAC certificate or declaration of conformity | Compliance with EAEU technical regulations | Importer (EAEU-registered applicant) |
| Phytosanitary or veterinary certificate | Plants, food and animal products | Supplier and Turkish authorities |
The data on all documents must match: the same descriptions, package counts and weights. A Turkish A.TR certificate is not needed for Russia; it applies only to trade with the EU.
EAC conformity and product marking
Many product groups, including clothing, footwear, furniture, toys, electrical equipment, machinery, cosmetics and food, fall under EAEU technical regulations. Depending on the regulation, the goods need either a certificate of conformity issued by an accredited body after testing, or a declaration of conformity registered by the applicant. The applicant must be registered in the EAEU, typically the importer or the manufacturer's authorised representative. Goods that pass carry the EAC mark and Russian-language labelling.
Many consumer goods in Russia also require mandatory digital marking under the national "Chestny Znak" system, with codes applied before the goods are released for sale. Whether your product is covered, and whether codes must be applied before import, should be checked for each product group before production starts in Turkey.
Duties, VAT and customs value
Import duty is set by the EAEU Common Customs Tariff for each tariff code. Turkey was removed from the list of countries using the EAEU's system of tariff preferences, so Turkish goods are generally charged the full tariff rates; there is no reduced duty for Turkish origin. Customs value normally includes the price of the goods plus transport and insurance costs up to the point where the goods enter the EAEU.
Import VAT is paid at clearance on top of value and duty. Russia's standard VAT rate rose from 20% to 22% from 1 January 2026; a reduced 10% rate applies to certain food, children's goods and medical products. Some goods also carry excise duty, and customs clearance fees are charged on each declaration. Your broker can calculate the total for a specific tariff code.
Food, fresh produce and other controlled goods
Fresh fruit and vegetables, processed food and animal products are subject to phytosanitary or veterinary control by Rosselkhoznadzor. For many animal products the Turkish producer must be on an approved exporters' list. Russia has introduced and lifted restrictions on specific Turkish products and producers several times, so check the current status for your product and supplier before signing. For fresh produce from Antalya, the cold-chain side is covered in our guide to refrigerated transport to Russia.
Payments, sanctions and compliance
Payments are often the hardest part of importing from Turkey to Russia. Since 2024, Turkish banks have applied much stricter checks to transactions linked to Russia because of the risk of US secondary sanctions, and some payments have been delayed or returned. Agree the payment method, currency and timing in the contract, and confirm that both banks will process the payment before production and loading are scheduled.
Check sanctions and export-control rules for your goods before you order. Some products, especially dual-use items, machinery and electronics, may be restricted for export to Russia under Turkish rules or under the rules of the country where they were made. We do not advise on payment structures; ask your bank and legal advisers about the rules that apply to your company and your goods.
Getting the goods to Russia
In 2026, road freight through Georgia and the Upper Lars checkpoint carries most cargo from Turkey to Russia, with indicative transit of about 8–14 days to Moscow. Since late August 2026, Black Sea container services to Novorossiysk have been suspended by several lines or carry war-risk surcharges. Southern Russia can also be served through Azerbaijan. For the full picture, read our articles on Turkey to Russia shipping routes and the Upper Lars border crossing.
A full truckload suits orders of roughly half a trailer or more; smaller orders from several Turkish suppliers can be consolidated into one groupage truck, with each supplier's documents kept separate.
Frequently asked questions
Who clears the goods when importing from Turkey to Russia?
The Russian importer, as declarant, usually through a licensed customs broker. The Turkish supplier handles export clearance in Turkey.
Do Turkish goods get reduced duty in Russia?
Generally no. Turkey is not part of the EAEU preference system, so full common-tariff rates apply.
Can the EAC certificate be issued to the Turkish manufacturer?
The applicant must be registered in the EAEU, such as the importer or an authorised representative of the manufacturer. The manufacturer supplies technical files and samples.
How long does delivery from Turkey to Moscow take?
By road via Georgia and Upper Lars, about 8–14 days, depending on season, border queues and the type of shipment.
BNK Logistics (BNK Lojistik) in Antalya plans full truckloads, groupage and reefer shipments to Russia, collects cargo from several suppliers and checks the document set before loading; see our Russia freight page. Send your cargo details through our quote form or call +90 542 485 53 70 or message us on WhatsApp at +90 545 485 53 70.
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