General Information and Documents

What is Customs Union?

Türkiye applied for association with the European Economic Community already in 1959, one year after the enforcement of the Treaty of Rome. The Ankara Agreement of 1963 and the Additional Protocol of 1970 were two important documents, which identified modalities and calendars ensuring the future customs union and confirmed the ultimate aim of full membership.

The customs union enforced on 1 January 1996 was an outcome of these calendars.
It initially covers all industrial products and processed agricultural products, which corresponded to 93 % in value of the trade between EU and Türkiye in 1995. Traditional agricultural products will be included in the Customs Union following Türkiye's adaptation to the Community's Common Agricultural Policy. The parties ensure identical treatment to their imports from third countries, since EU and Türkiye constitute the same customs territory in the trade of industrial products.

Undersecretariat of the Prime Ministry For Foreign Trade

DECISION No 1/95 OF THE EC-TÜRKİYE ASSOCIATION COUNCIL of 22 December 1995 on implementing the final phase of the Customs Union (96/142/EC) (PDF Format - 247 KB)

For detailed information please visit: Undersecretariat of the Prime Ministry For Foreign Trade