Importing Towels from Türkiye: Incoterms, Duties and Documents
To import towels from Türkiye, agree an Incoterm with the manufacturer (such as EXW, FCA, FOB, CIF or DAP), appoint a freight forwarder or customs broker, and make sure you receive the commercial invoice, packing list and origin documents. Duties depend on your country and the towel's HS code; EU and UK buyers may benefit from preferential trade arrangements with Türkiye.
Importing towels from Türkiye takes four decisions: the Incoterm, the transport method, the customs classification and the documents. Get these right in writing before production ends and the shipment clears smoothly.
Key fact: the HS code for towels (chapter 63, heading 6302) and your destination country decide the duty – always confirm the exact code and rate with your customs broker.
*This guide is general information, not customs or legal advice.*
Which Incoterm should I choose?
| Incoterm | Seller's responsibility | Good for |
|---|---|---|
| EXW | Goods ready at the factory | Buyers with their own forwarder in Türkiye |
| FCA | Goods handed to your carrier, export cleared | Road and multimodal shipments |
| FOB | Goods loaded on vessel at Turkish port | Sea freight |
| CIF | Freight and insurance to destination port | Buyers who want a port-to-port price |
| DAP | Delivered to your address, import duties not paid | Buyers who want door delivery |
Incoterms 2020 define who pays and who carries risk at each stage. State the Incoterm and named place in the quotation and invoice.
Which documents do I need?
- Commercial invoice – value, description, HS code, origin.
- Packing list – cartons, quantities, weights and volumes.
- Transport document – CMR (road), bill of lading (sea) or air waybill.
- Origin document – certificate of origin, or a preferential document where relevant (for example A.TR for the EU customs union, or EUR.1 / origin declarations for free trade agreements).
- Certificates on request – OEKO-TEX, GOTS or GRS transaction certificates for certified claims.
How are import duties on towels calculated?
Duty = customs value × duty rate for the HS code in your country, plus any VAT or sales tax. Rates differ by destination and by whether the towel is classed as terry or other toilet linen, and whether preferential origin applies. Your customs broker confirms the code and rate before shipment.
How is a pestemal order shipped?
Road freight is common to Europe; sea freight in containers to most other markets; air freight for samples and urgent orders. Shipping weight and volume drive cost – see pestemal weight per piece.
What are the most common import mistakes?
- No agreed Incoterm or named place.
- Wrong HS code on the invoice.
- Missing origin document, losing preferential duty.
- Labels missing fibre content or origin required by the destination market.
- Booking freight after goods are ready instead of in advance.
What should you do next?
- Choose an Incoterm and named place.
- Appoint a freight forwarder or customs broker.
- Confirm the HS code and documents before production ends.
- Check labelling rules in your market – see labels and packaging.
Key takeaways
- Agree the Incoterm and named place in writing.
- Invoice, packing list, transport and origin documents are essential.
- Duty depends on HS code, destination and origin rules.
- A customs broker should confirm code and rates.
- Pestemal.com is a Denizli, Türkiye based pestemal manufacturer that prepares export documents with every shipment. See also lead times.
Our export team in Denizli prepares the commercial invoice, packing list and origin documents for each shipment and works with your forwarder or ours. Certificates such as OEKO-TEX, GOTS and GRS can be supplied with the order.
Frequently asked questions
How do I import towels from Türkiye?
Agree an Incoterm, appoint a forwarder or customs broker, confirm the HS code and make sure you receive the invoice, packing list, transport and origin documents.
What HS code are towels?
Towels fall under heading 6302. The exact subheading depends on the product; confirm it with your customs broker.
Which Incoterm is best for towels?
It depends on your logistics. FCA or FOB suit buyers with their own forwarder; DAP suits buyers who want door delivery.
Do EU buyers pay duty on Turkish towels?
Under the EU–Türkiye customs union, industrial goods with an A.TR certificate can usually move without customs duty; VAT still applies. Confirm with your broker.
Does Pestemal.com prepare export documents?
Yes, we prepare the commercial invoice, packing list and origin documents for each export shipment.