Services
Import and Export Consulting
Istanbul Africa Trade Company provides import and export consulting services through the entire international trade process.
Import and Export Consulting Services
Classification
Our team help you correctly identify your product based on the relevant country of import (COI) and country of export (COE) code. We ensure that your products and services are correctly classified, which will reduce the risk of exporting a product without a license or paying the wrong duties on an import, which could lead to legal consequences.
Trade Compliance
Trade compliance is a major goal of every importer and exporter to ensure all company know the rules and regulations, how to abide by them, and how to manage them. Compliance will promote integrity and increase your company standards. We help you shape a compliance program that protects your company and your employees by having a structure in place.
Contracts and Agreements
The trade contract is used for the international sale of certain products, which are projected for resale, where the buyer is a trader, importer, distributor or wholesaler that will sell the products to another company or merchant. It is a safe practice to use written and legal export contracts. Istanbul Africa Trade Company advises your company on trade licenses and agreements.
Documentation
The right documentation is an important part of international trade. It is important to co-operate with your counterpart on getting the paperwork right. Istanbul Africa Trade Company assists documentation in local languages.
International Logistics
Depending on the type of goods, certain shipping requirements should be met. The best mode of transport for your goods and the appropriate container sizes should be carefully determined. Everything is properly packed to ensure that the goods are secure and stay intact. We advise you on the best way of logistics and distribution.
Contact us for your inquiries
Click here to reach us.WhatsApp Support Line
Regulations in Turkey
Turkey has ongoing negotiations to join the European Union and it is a member of Customs Union with the EU. Turkish Consumer Protection Law governs the legal status of all consumer related transactions. This legislation is the main protection for consumer rights along with additional supplementary legislation. In Turkey, there are a number of regulatory institutions that specialize in different areas. Istanbul Africa Trade Company advises on all important aspects of import and export procedures in Turkey.
Regulations in African Countries
Istanbul Africa Trade Company has extensive knowledge in African countries' regulations and documentation. Through our local partners, we provide our clients with the most profitable trade consultation. We advise on Free Trade Agreement opportunities, tax laws, import laws and transportation solutions.
For African importers
- Checking that a Turkish supplier's documents meet your country's import rules
- Understanding duties, conformity certificates and import permits before you order
- Reviewing the contract, Incoterm and payment terms of a first order
For Turkish exporters
- Classifying your product and checking the destination's import and conformity requirements
- Preparing export documents and certificates of origin with your team
- Structuring the contract, Incoterm and payment terms with a new African buyer
What you receive
Classification note
The tariff classification we would use for your product, the reasoning, and what it means for documents and taxes in the destination.
Document checklist
Every document and certificate the shipment needs, who issues it and when, on both the Turkish and the African side.
Contract review
Written comments on the contract or pro-forma invoice: Incoterm, payment, inspection, delivery and dispute clauses.
Logistics brief
Transport mode, container and packing choices and route options to settle with your forwarder.
Compliance pointers
The authorities and rules that apply to your product on each side, and what to check again before the next shipment.
How the work runs
Share the deal
Product, counterpart, quantities, destination and the draft contract or pro-forma.
Review
Classification, documents, contract terms and route, checked against both sides' rules.
Advise
Written notes: what to change, what to confirm and with whom.
Ship
Support while documents are issued and the forwarder books the cargo.
Reuse
A checklist your team can reuse for the next shipment of the same product.
What we need from you
- Product description, technical specifications and photos
- Destination country and port or city
- The draft contract, pro-forma invoice or quotation
- Your forwarder's or customs broker's contact, if you already have one
Where this service stops
- Customs clearance: a licensed customs broker does this
- Freight booking and transport: your forwarder or carrier does this
- Legal representation in a dispute: a lawyer does this
- Any guarantee of a customs decision, which belongs to the authorities
Questions about this service
- Do you replace my freight forwarder or customs broker?
- No. They move and clear the goods; we make sure what they receive is complete and consistent, and that the deal behind it protects you. Many clients bring us in precisely so that their forwarder gets the right documents the first time.
- Can you tell me the import duty for my product?
- We tell you how the product is likely to be classified and which tariff line and taxes to check, with the source. The binding rate comes from the destination's customs authority and tariff schedule, and it changes, so it should be confirmed for each shipment.
- Does my product need a pre-shipment conformity certificate?
- It may. Several African countries require one for many product categories, for example SONCAP in Nigeria and PVoC in Kenya. Whether your product is covered depends on its category, and we check it before the goods are packed.
- Which Incoterm should a first order use?
- There is no single answer. For a first order, the safer choice is usually the one that leaves each side in control of the part of the journey it knows best, read together with the payment terms and the insurance. We set out the options and their risks for your case.
Related reading
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Importing Cotton from Africa for Turkish Textile Mills
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All services
- Buying from Turkey?How we find and check Turkish manufacturers and secure your terms before you pay.For African importers
- Exporting to Africa?How we help Turkish exporters choose markets, check buyers and get paid safely.For Turkish exporters
Who you work with
Burak Unal
Founder, Istanbul Africa
Istanbul Africa is Burak Unal's advisory practice. He leads its client work and reviews its country and sector research.
- Former financial services consultant at Oliver Wyman
- MSc Finance, London School of Economics
- BSc Management, Boğaziçi University
- Chevening Scholar
- LSE thesis on Kenya's textile industry and its effect on the balance of trade