EU-Turkey Customs Union history and industrial product tariffs

Turkey's pursuit of European Union membership began with the Ankara Agreement in September 1963, followed by a formal application for full accession on April 14, 1987. While Turkey was granted candidate status at the Helsinki Summit in December 1999 and began official accession negotiations in October 2005, the EU Council announced a freeze on these negotiations in June 2018. This freeze was attributed to concerns regarding democracy, human rights, the rule of law, and the situation in Northern Cyprus.

Under the EU-Turkey Customs Union (Decision 1/95), which came into effect on January 1, 1996, customs duties and quotas were fully abolished for all industrial products, as well as the industrial component of processed agricultural products. To benefit from this free movement, products must be accompanied by specific certification.