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    EU, Türkiye Announce Removal of TAREKS Import Barrier

    European Commission logo featuring the EU flag with twelve yellow stars against the institution's stylized building emblem
    The European Commission announced the removal of a TAREKS import-control trade barrier following the EU-Türkiye High-Level Dialogue on Trade in Brussels on October 13, 2026.Photo/Illustration: European Commission

    Customs recognition and machinery rules advance in Brussels, but disputes over leather exports and textile imports remain unresolved

    By Bosphorus News Economy Desk

    The European Union (EU) and Türkiye said on October 13 that they had removed a trade barrier tied to checks under Türkiye's Risk Based Control System in Foreign Trade (TAREKS). Their joint statement did not identify the products affected or say when the change took effect.

    The announcement followed the third EU-Türkiye High-Level Dialogue on Trade in Brussels, co-chaired by European Commissioner Maroš Šefčovič and Turkish Trade Minister Ömer Bolat. Bilateral trade reached €217.6 billion in 2025.

    TAREKS checks goods for compliance with product safety and technical rules. The announcement concerns one barrier linked to import controls, not the inspection system itself. The two sides said they would continue addressing practical problems raised by EU businesses.

    They also agreed to move ahead with an existing arrangement for the mutual recognition of Authorised Economic Operators (AEOs), businesses granted trusted status under customs procedures. The EU welcomed Türkiye's completed alignment with the new EU Machinery Regulation, which governs technical requirements for machinery entering the market.

    Disputes over Turkish export taxes on hides and wet-blue leather, import surveillance rules, textile registration requirements and alcoholic beverages remain open. Further technical talks are planned.

    Türkiye has also made progress toward access to the European Product Registry for Energy Labelling (EPREL). The two sides will discuss access to the Cosmetic Products Notification Portal (CPNP) and pharmaceutical batch-release procedures, and begin technical work on mutual recognition of electronic signatures.

    Türkiye's Directorate for EU Affairs said the agenda included the draft EU Industrial Accelerator Act and Customs Union modernisation. The joint statement announced no start to modernisation negotiations, despite Türkiye's longstanding push to update the Customs Union.

    Sources: European Commission, Türkiye's Directorate for EU Affairs, Türkiye's Ministry of Trade, Bosphorus News review and reporting.

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