Supply and equipment for businesses in Istanbul

What should you know when equipping your project in Turkey?

Most types of commercial equipment used in Turkey are subject to official safety and quality standards, overseen by the Turkish Standards Institution (TSE - Türk Standartları Enstitüsü), the body officially authorized to set and approve conformity standards in Turkey. For equipment falling within the scope of EU directives, the European Conformity mark (CE) is generally recognized, while equipment outside that scope, or for which Turkey has set its own standards, may need a conformity certificate issued by TSE or an accredited body.

For equipment imported from outside Turkey, import operations are subject to Turkish customs regulations overseen by the Ministry of Trade (Ticaret Bakanlığı), which include verifying that the imported product conforms to Turkish standards; conformity certificates may be required, or the product may need to undergo inspection through accredited customs control systems, depending on the type of equipment, the manufacturer, and the country of origin. These requirements vary significantly from one type of equipment to another, and there is no single rule that applies to all cases.

Important points to know

• Commercial activities subject to stricter regulatory oversight, such as restaurants and food establishments, typically require equipment that meets specific safety standards, and using unaccredited or non-conforming equipment may expose the project to problems during inspection or when obtaining the licenses required to operate
• Relying on informal sourcing or import arrangements, without clear documentation of the equipment's source and its conformity to required standards, exposes the business owner to a risk that is difficult to remedy later, especially if the problem is discovered after installation or the start of operations
• Verifying the conformity and import requirements specific to the type of equipment needed should be done before committing to purchase or import it, to avoid delays or unplanned additional costs

Frequently asked questions

Does all commercial equipment need a special conformity certificate? Not necessarily to the same degree. It depends on the type of equipment and its field of use; some equipment falls within the scope of stricter mandatory standards than others, especially in food-related activities or those connected to public safety.

Are there additional requirements for equipment imported from abroad? Yes, importing commercial equipment from outside Turkey is subject to customs regulations and conformity requirements overseen by official Turkish bodies, and these requirements can vary significantly depending on the type of equipment and its country of origin.

Last updated: 2026-09-07