Importing mailing bags from Türkiye into the EU does not require paying import duty on most plastic packaging, because Türkiye and the EU operate inside a customs union covered by an A.TR movement certificate (UK buyers: see the note below). A standard order ships DAP in about 20 days door to door.
For goods that are in free circulation in Türkiye or the EU — which covers manufactured plastic packaging such as mailing bags — the EU–Türkiye Customs Union (in force since 1995, based on the 1963 Ankara Agreement and Decision No 1/95 of the Association Council) removes customs duties between the two sides. The proof of this status is the A.TR movement certificate, not a certificate of origin. It confirms the goods have already cleared customs and had any applicable duties settled within the customs union area, so they move between Türkiye and the EU without a further duty charge at the border (source: European Commission, Access2Markets — EU–Türkiye Customs Union).
This is different from a free trade agreement based on rules of origin. As Türkiye's Ministry of Trade explains, "A.TR is a document which is set for free circulation of goods in Turkey and the Community in order to benefit from preferential regime under Customs Union. It indicates that the good is in free circulation; it is not for the proof of its origin" — the EUR.1 certificate is the separate document used when origin itself needs to be proven for other preferential regimes.
The A.TR certificate is issued by the customs authority (or an authorised exporter) in the exporting country — in Kargopek's case, the Turkish customs authority — for each shipment. It travels with the goods and is presented to the importing country's customs office. Since 8 July 2024, EU member state customs authorities also accept A.TR certificates issued electronically by the Turkish competent authorities, carrying a QR code and without a wet-ink signature, following the EU–Türkiye Customs Cooperation Committee's updated rules — which has made clearance faster and reduced paperwork delays compared with the older paper-only process.
In practice, as the importer you don't fill this document in yourself: Kargopek issues the A.TR certificate (together with the commercial invoice and transport documents) and includes it with every shipment, so your customs broker or freight forwarder has what they need to clear the goods on arrival.
| Step | Typical duration |
|---|---|
| Production, 1–2 pallets | about one week |
| Production, mixed-size full truckload | about 10 days |
| Door-to-door delivery (EU), DAP, 1–2 pallets | about 20 days in total |
| Door-to-door delivery (EU), DAP, full truckload | about 25 days in total |
| UK road transit (after production) | 8–10 days |
DAP (Delivered At Place) terms mean transport to your door is included in the delivery — Kargopek provides the A.TR certificate, invoice and transport documents with the shipment. Import-side formalities and any carrier handling fee at destination are the buyer's or carrier's responsibility, as with any international shipment. A trial order can start from a single pallet, so new importers can test lead times and quality before committing to a full truckload.
The Türkiye–EU Customs Union applies to industrial products and processed agricultural products (coex mailing bags, courier bags, PE/PP wicketed bags, grip seal bags, carrier bags, vacuum bags and similar extruded plastic packaging all fall under industrial goods). Primary unprocessed agricultural goods follow separate association council rules and are outside this scope — not relevant for plastic packaging buyers, but worth knowing if your order is ever combined with food or agricultural items.
Goods in free circulation under the EU–Türkiye Customs Union move without customs duty between the two sides, evidenced by the A.TR movement certificate — this is not the same as duty-free treatment with every country outside the customs union.
A.TR proves a good is in free circulation inside the EU–Türkiye Customs Union; it does not prove origin. EUR.1 proves preferential origin under a different trade agreement. Your supplier should tell you which one applies to your shipment.
A trial order can start from a single pallet. Standard orders are delivered DAP door to door in about 20 days; UK road transit typically takes 8–10 days after about one week of production.
A mixed-size full truckload is typically produced in about 10 days (about one week for 1–2 pallets), because multiple sizes run across the existing production schedule rather than needing a dedicated changeover.
Kargopek issues the A.TR certificate, invoice and transport documents with the shipment. Import-side entry formalities at destination are handled by the carrier or your own customs broker, as with any international shipment.
Commercial terms (trial order size, delivery times, certifications) per Kargopek company information, verified 6 Oct 2026. Not legal or customs advice; confirm tariff treatment and VAT with your customs broker.
Free sample kit, orders from one pallet, delivered to your door in around 20 days.