Turkey Drone Import Compliance: SHGM, TAREKS, Customs

Turkey is an important market for industrial, agricultural and surveying drones, but importing drones and components from China involves aviation, product safety and customs controls. Commercial buyers work mainly with the Directorate General of Civil Aviation (SHGM), the Ministry of Trade (Ticaret Bakanlığı) and Turkish customs, with the Information and Communication Technologies Authority (BTK) responsible for radio spectrum matters. Missing documents at the customs declaration stage can delay or block clearance.

SHGM Unmanned Aircraft Instruction (SHT-İHA)

Civil drone matters in Turkey are governed by SHGM's Unmanned Aircraft Systems Instruction (SHT-İHA). SHGM announced a rewritten version of the instruction on 30 July 2026, covering registration, import, operations, pilot authorisation, and manufacturer and importer obligations. According to SHGM's announcement:

• Flight authorisation is now linked to the pilot's licence level (P0 amateur, P1 commercial, P2 advanced) rather than to the aircraft's weight.
• Remote identification, geographic limitation and software certification are mandatory technical requirements.
• Simple toy-type drones are exempt from licence and registration obligations.
• Existing rights are protected, with a transition period until 31 July 2027.

Because the new instruction changes earlier weight-based classes and thresholds, confirm the current technical criteria for your aircraft with SHGM before ordering.

Registration and Traffic Management (İHATTYS)

SHGM's İHA Tracking and Traffic Management System (İHATTYS) portal states that sellers, owners, manufacturers, importers and operators of drones weighing 500 g or more must register in the system, and that drones brought in from abroad must be recorded within three days at the latest. SHGM has said that registration, flight notification and permits will move to İHATTYS, with transitional arrangements until the system is officially launched.

SHGM Conformity Letter at Customs

The Ministry of Trade's communiqué on the import of civil aircraft (İthalat: 2026/8), published in the Official Gazette on 31 December 2025 and in force from 1 January 2026, requires a conformity letter (uygunluk yazısı) issued by SHGM when goods under the listed customs tariff codes are declared for free circulation or temporary import. The list includes unmanned aircraft under heading 8806, with lines for multirotors and some weight bands excluding aircraft with a maximum take-off weight below 500 g. Your supplier's catalogue and invoice details are typically needed for the SHGM application; confirm the current document list and fees with SHGM.

Radio Equipment and TAREKS

Turkey applies EU-aligned technical legislation for industrial products under its customs union with the EU.

• Import inspection of radio equipment: The Ministry of Trade inspects radio and telecommunications terminal equipment, including remote control devices and transceivers, at the import stage for conformity with Turkey's Radio and Telecommunications Terminal Equipment Regulation. These procedures run through TAREKS, the Ministry's risk-based trade control system, and an earlier communiqué tied the risk definition to Directive 2014/53/EU. Under that communiqué, customs will not allow import of a covered product without a TAREKS reference number.
• BTK spectrum rules: Drone radio links must operate within the frequency bands and power limits permitted in Turkey. Ask your supplier to confirm that transmitters can be configured accordingly, and confirm band rules with BTK.

Customs Classification (GTİP) and Spare Parts

Under the 2022 Harmonized System, unmanned aircraft fall under heading 8806, while heading 8807 covers parts of goods of headings 8801, 8802 or 8806. General electronic parts such as cameras, batteries or radio modules may fall under other chapters. Turkish customs uses 12-digit GTİP codes, and imports from China may be subject to customs duties, VAT and other charges depending on the code. Because tariff schedules and inspection criteria are updated periodically, confirm exact GTİP obligations with a licensed customs broker and the relevant authority.

Export-Side Check in China

China's Ministry of Commerce, the General Administration of Customs and the Equipment Development Department of the Central Military Commission issued Announcement No. 49 of 2026, which places certain drones and drone components under dual-use export control from 18 November 2026. Items named in the announcement include autopilots specially designed for unmanned aircraft, certain unmanned aircraft, brushless motors and electronic speed controllers, and specially designed onboard radio communication equipment, where they meet the parameters set out in the announcement. Controlled items may not be exported without a licence, so confirm with your supplier whether your order is covered and whether a Chinese export licence is required before you schedule shipment.

Procurement Checklist for Turkish Importers

Before shipping, ask your supplier for an EU-format Declaration of Conformity, accredited RED, EMC and electrical safety test reports, Turkish and English user manuals, a technical catalogue, and an itemised invoice showing model names and serial numbers. Supplier documents support your TAREKS and SHGM filings but never guarantee approval or customs clearance. To find manufacturers able to supply the documentation described above for your market, contact our team through the inquiry form on our website.