1. Basic documents needed for every import
- Importer Certificate — issued by the Trade Department after membership of the Turkish Cypriot Chamber of Commerce, Chamber of Industry or Craftsmen and Artisans Chamber.
- Original commercial invoice with QR code — must state each product's net/gross weight, unit price, origin and GTIP code.
- Packing List — shows package, pallet and carton details; mandatory for shipments with more than one carton.
- Certificate of Origin — official proof of the country where the goods were produced; important for origin and duty treatment.
- Release Order (Ordino) — issued by the carrier company.
- Bill of Lading (B/L).
2. Electrical goods
Electrical and electronic products generally require approval from the Chamber of Electrical Engineers (EMO) and CE documentation. This applies to white goods, small appliances, computer hardware and electrical site equipment.
Exception: automotive spare parts do not require EMO approval or CE certification, even when electrical.
- Chamber of Electrical Engineers (EMO) approval
- Invoice
- CE certificate
3. Animal products — prior approval from the Veterinary Department
Prior approval is required for live animals (except aquarium fish), breeding animals, breeding/table eggs, meat and meat products, milk and dairy products, and raw hides.
- Prior approval application letter.
- Application review form; use the first-import form where the product is entering the TRNC for the first time.
- Official veterinary health certificate stating that the product is from an area free of diseases listed by the WOAH/OIE; the original is presented to the Department.
- Accredited laboratory analysis report with current microbiological results, including Salmonella spp. and E. coli.
- Heavy-metal analysis report for aquatic products where required, from an accredited laboratory.
- Processed-product certificate for processed goods, showing the temperature and duration of heat treatment.
- Health certificate of the exporting country.
- Pro forma invoice or invoice.
4. Seeds and agricultural inputs — prior approval from the Agriculture Department
All cereals, agricultural seed, flour, bran, semolina, animal feed and feed materials, natural/artificial fertilisers and soil require Agriculture Department approval.
Seeds, saplings and plant propagation material
- Prior-approval (import) application form.
- Original phytosanitary certificate issued by the exporting country's official authority, confirming the goods are free from pests.
- Pro forma invoice or invoice.
Agricultural chemicals, fertiliser and soil
- Product registration certificate; agricultural chemicals and fertilisers must be registered with the Agriculture Department.
- Specification and MSDS, showing formulation, active substances and safety information.
- Current analysis report.
- Certificate of Origin and invoice.
Agricultural, veterinary and pest-control products
- Licence and Free Sale Certificate.
- Export suitability letter from the relevant agricultural authority.
- Product analysis certificate for the relevant batch/lot.
- Invoice.
Human medicines and medical chemicals
- Control Certificate and Import Permit Form.
- GMP Certificate.
- Free Sale Certificate approved by the exporting country's Ministry of Health.
- Invoice and packing list.
5. Plant products and forestry
Live trees, saplings, seedlings, potted plants, cut flowers, grafting material, wooden packaging, timber, wood and motor/chain saws are subject to Agriculture Department and Forestry Department approval.
- Plant import prior-approval certificate.
- Original phytosanitary certificate showing the plant's Latin name, quantity and freedom from quarantine diseases.
- Producer/variety verification certificate, especially for grafted saplings and grafting material.
- Soil-free or sterile-medium condition: roots must be free of natural soil or planted in sterile peat/cocopeat.
6. Cosmetics, medical devices and controlled chemicals — Pharmaceutical and Pharmacy Department
Cosmetics
Shampoo, perfume, skin care, make-up, hair dye and personal-hygiene products. As of 2026, prior-approval applications are made online through the TRNC e-government system.
- Free Sale Certificate (FSC).
- Formulation and qualitative/quantitative analysis, including INCI names and percentages.
- Product specification and acceptance limits.
- Product safety assessment report.
- Original packaging sample/label images, including a Turkish label draft.
- Invoice and packing list.
Medical devices and consumables
- CE Certificate and Declaration of Conformity.
- Technical catalogue and instructions for use.
- Invoice and packing list.
Controlled chemicals and volatile substances
- Label and MSDS for every product.
- Invoice must be a QR-coded e-invoice.
7. Processed food and consumer goods — Health Department label approval
Includes processed/packaged plant foods, sauces and oils, beverages and water, and household chemicals such as detergents, soaps, air fresheners and pool chemicals.
Documents for label approval and prior approval
- Prior-approval application letter.
- Original pro forma invoice or invoice.
- Clear original packaging/label image showing content and warnings.
- Official health certificate of the exporting country.
- Producer's business registration certificate for food-contact plastic.
Plastic products
- Direct from producer: application letter, producer's business registration certificate and invoice/pro forma.
- Not direct from producer: invoice showing the producer's name, producer's registration certificate and invoice/pro forma.
8. Fresh/frozen meat and poultry — special conditions
Fresh or frozen beef imports are subject to special conditions under Council of Ministers Decision TE(K-I)859-2018 of 25 July 2018.
- Origin must be the European Union, Republic of Türkiye, New Zealand or Australia.
- Only tenderloin, striploin and cube roll/ribeye from cattle under 12 months old.
- Goods must originate in countries/regions free from contagious animal diseases listed by WOAH/OIE.
- The Veterinary Health Certificate must expressly confirm the BSE-free status.
- No free-circulation/sale restriction in the origin market; for New Zealand and Australia, eligibility for the EU market is required.
Extra documentation for first imports
- Label and packaging sample.
- Official original production permit documents of the producer.
- Official original registration and approval document of the producer.
- Accredited microbiological analysis report meeting EU/Türkiye parameters, including Salmonella spp. and E. coli O157.
- Official Veterinary Health Certificate.
- First-import application/review form.
9. Transport vehicles and communications equipment
Land vehicles
- Release Order (Ordino) · Bill of Lading · Invoice · Original vehicle logbook · Trade Department approval
Imported marine transport vehicles
- Ports Department approval · Ministry of Transport approval
Communications equipment
- Ministry of Transport approval
10. Products containing explosive or flammable material
- Ministry of Labour approval.
11. Personal household effects for people moving to the TRNC
Personal-effects file
- Original residence certificate from the local mukhtar of the area of settlement, and a copy of the title deed or tenancy agreement for the home.
- Copies of both spouses' passports or TRNC identity cards.
- Entry/Exit Record obtained from the Police General Directorate; it must cover both air and land crossings.
- Two copies of the goods list.
- The beneficiary must apply in person.
- Release Order (Ordino), issued by the carrier, in the beneficiary's name.
Dowry goods
- Copy of the marriage certificate · Copy of the male spouse's TRNC identity card
The goods must arrive on the island within six months of the marriage date.
12. Used household effects for military personnel
- Assignment-place certificate issued in the TRNC.
- Current Border Crossing Certificate issued in the TRNC.
- Copy of military identity card.
- TRNC accommodation letter or tenancy agreement.
- Original residence certificate from the relevant regional mukhtar.
- Two copies of the goods list.
- Release Order (Ordino), issued by the carrier and in the military person's name.
Let us prepare your documents together
Since 1988, we have handled customs-clearance procedures throughout the TRNC. Let us determine which permits your product needs before purchase so there are no surprises at port.
Frequently asked questions
Which documents are needed for a standard import?
Importer Certificate, original QR-coded commercial invoice (net/gross weight, unit price, origin and GTIP code), Packing List for more than one carton, Certificate of Origin, Release Order and Bill of Lading.
Which approval is needed for food imports?
Processed and packaged foods, sauces and beverages require Health Department Label Approval and Prior Approval before the goods arrive at port. Animal products require Veterinary Department approval; plant products require Agriculture Department approval.
What is required to import cosmetics into the TRNC?
Cosmetics are subject to Pharmaceutical and Pharmacy Department approval through the e-government system. An FSC, INCI/formulation analysis, product safety assessment, packaging/label images, invoice and packing list are required.
Can goods loaded without approval enter the TRNC?
No. Goods loaded without the required permits cannot be cleared even if they arrive at port; re-export or destruction may be required. Always consult us before purchase.
What is required for personal household effects when moving to the TRNC?
An original mukhtar residence certificate, copy of title deed/tenancy agreement, copies of both spouses' passports or TRNC IDs, an Entry/Exit Record covering both air and land crossings, two goods lists, an in-person application and an Ordino issued by the carrier in the beneficiary's name are required.
This guide is for information purposes; required documents and approvals may change according to the product's GTIP/HS code and current official rules. Contact Neveser Gümrükleme LTD for binding information specific to your product.