Starting from October 2025, Turkey is introducing a new regime of inspections for international carriers. The measures are aimed at reducing violations with transport permits, improving border flow, and aligning national procedures with international transport standards.
New inspection system
Until now, the majority of checks for foreign trucks were carried out at border crossings and customs posts. Under the new rules, Turkish authorities will also conduct on-road inspections, with fines imposed immediately for violations.
The main changes include:
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Ban on cabotage: foreign trucks cannot carry out domestic shipments inside Turkey. Repeat violations lead to higher fines.
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Mandatory permits and licenses: original or verifiable electronic versions must stay in the vehicle until delivery is completed. Transfer of documents to other vehicles is prohibited.
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Control of accompanying documents: ECMT licenses, technical inspections, and logbooks must be available for inspection at any point.
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Vehicle registration compliance: the company name and vehicle plate number must match the permit. Any discrepancy is treated as a violation.
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Exit ban without permits: trucks attempting to leave the country without valid documentation must either obtain a new permit or pay an additional fee.
Impact on logistics
For carriers and forwarders working with Russia, this means higher compliance requirements and a greater risk of delays in case of incomplete paperwork. Market participants note that some companies previously relied on “flexible” document schemes, but under the new rules such practices can lead to heavy fines and blocked shipments.
At the same time, the new system is expected to reduce congestion at border checkpoints. By moving inspections onto roads inside Turkey, authorities aim to speed up customs clearance at entry and exit points.
Business implications
Forwarders operating between Russia, Turkey, and third countries should prepare for:
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More rigorous document control, especially with ECMT permits.
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Digitalization of workflows: reliance on electronic, QR-verifiable licenses is encouraged.
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Higher penalties for errors: repeated violations can escalate into six-figure fines in local currency.
In the medium term, the new control system is designed not to block international traffic but to streamline it, making flows more predictable.
Growex’s perspective
Growex closely follows regulatory changes in Turkey and provides partners with updated compliance guidelines. For shippers and carriers, this ensures smoother planning, reduced risks of delays, and reliable handling of cross-border shipments involving Turkish corridors.
