Free trade zone between Ukraine and Turkey has come into force: customs preferences are already in effect for exports

On October 1, the Free Trade Agreement between Ukraine and Turkey entered into force. For Ukrainian exporters, the new regime began to apply immediately, while customs preferences for Turkish goods imported into Ukraine will take effect only from January 1, 2027.

This was reported by the State Customs Service of Ukraine.

The Agreement applies to goods of headings 01-97 of the Harmonized System, which originate in Ukraine or Turkey. Depending on the specific tariff line, it provides for full elimination of duties, their reduction, or the application of tariff quotas.

For Ukrainian exports to Turkey, from October 1, the tariff preference codes "429" for elimination of export duties and "430" for exports within the tariff quota shall be used. For imports of Turkish goods, a similar regime will start on January 1, 2027.

To obtain the preferential regime, the exporter must prove the origin of the goods. This can be done by means of a EUR.1 certificate or an origin declaration. If the total value of the consignment does not exceed €6,000, the exporter may draw up such a declaration himself.

The Ministry of Economy previously stated that the agreement opens completely duty-free access to the Turkish market for 84% of Ukrainian goods. For some sensitive products, quotas or transitional periods are provided.

The Agreement also uses updated Pan-Euro-Mediterranean origin rules. This, in particular, allows Ukrainian producers to use Turkish materials and components and, provided that the established rules are met, to preserve the preferential origin of finished goods when they are subsequently exported to other countries of the system.

Turkey remains one of Ukraine's largest trading partners. According to the Ministry of Economy, in 2025 bilateral trade amounted to $7.9 billion, and Ukrainian exports to Turkey were $2.7 billion.

The Free Trade Agreement between Ukraine and Turkey was signed on February 3, 2022 in Kyiv. The Verkhovna Rada ratified it on July 14, 2026 by Law No. 4932-IX.

Thus, from October 1, Ukrainian companies can already benefit from the new tariff conditions when exporting to Turkey, while the opening of the Ukrainian market for Turkish imports under new rates is postponed until the beginning of 2027.

Sources: State Customs Service of Ukraine, Ministry of Economy of Ukraine, Verkhovna Rada of Ukraine