2026 Changes in Product Safety Inspection: 4 Critical Updates in TAREKS (Foreign Trade Product Safety and Inspection System) Processes

2026 Changes in Product Safety Inspection: 4 Critical Updates in TAREKS Processes

Important common changes to TAREKS (Foreign Trade Product Safety and Inspection System) application are entering into force with the 2026 Product Safety Inspection Communiques. These changes will directly affect both application practices and operational planning, particularly for importing companies and customs brokers.

New definitions: the era of the user is over

The system, which previously operated primarily under the definition of user, is taking on a clearer structure as of 2026. The definitions of company, company user, and company authorized representative are now being differentiated. This makes the authority and responsibility of the person carrying out transactions in TAREKS more explicit, and clarifies the distinction between representation and transaction.

A more flexible period for sanctions

The 2026 regulations bring sanctions into a more proportionate system. Authority restrictions and referral periods for physical inspection applied in cases of non-compliance are being made flexible within a range of 1 to 12 months. This will allow the administration to determine a more appropriate sanction based on the nature of the violation.

4 main changes affecting import processes

The first change is the removal of the out-of-scope declaration. Previously, for certain products that appeared in the annex list of a communique but were not actually within its scope, a TAREKS reference with a fixed out-of-scope declaration could be made in the customs declaration. This convenience comes to an end with 2026. For HS Codes listed in the communique annexes, a TAREKS application will be required regardless of whether the product actually falls within the scope. The assessment of whether a product is within scope will now be made by the authorized inspection unit or institution rather than the customs administration.

The second change is the new communique structure for machinery import inspection under Communique No. 2026/32. Inspection of products within the scope of machinery safety is becoming more systematic with the new Machinery Import Inspection Communique. The annex lists are being divided into two parts. Annex 2/A covers machinery subject to prior authorization, and Annex 2/B covers machinery proceeding through inspection without prior authorization. This distinction makes the question of whether prior authorization will be required a critical factor in pre-shipment planning.

The third change is the expansion of the medical device inspection scope. Medical device inspections are no longer limited to entry into free circulation. With the 2026 regulation, products under the temporary import regime are also being brought within the inspection scope. This means new control steps in TAREKS for companies conducting temporary imports.

The fourth change is the mandatory product visual documentation in the customs area. One of the most operationally impactful changes in 2026 is that certain communiques will require images of the product taken in the customs area to be attached to TAREKS applications. The aim is to more robustly verify the correspondence between the declared product and the product actually being imported. This requirement stands out particularly in areas such as radio equipment, personal protective equipment, construction materials, and batteries and accumulators. It should be kept in mind that this will require additional organization on the part of importers and customs brokers for field photography.

Transition process: the transport document date is critical

All 2026 communiques will enter into force as of January 1, 2026. However, for products for which a transport document was issued in the country of export for shipment to Turkey, or which were presented to customs, before January 1, 2026, procedures may be concluded under the 2025 communiques for a certain period, subject to the importer's request and TAREKS application. For this reason, the transport document date will be the primary determinant in planning for year-end shipments.