How to import suits from Turkey to Europe and the UK

The short answer

Turkey is one of the closest and most practical suit sources for European buyers. Under the EU-Turkey Customs Union, industrial goods, which include clothing, can move between Turkey and the EU without customs duties when they are in free circulation and travel with an A.TR movement certificate. The UK has its own trade agreement with Turkey, in force since 1 January 2021, where preferential tariffs depend on meeting rules of origin. Suits usually reach European warehouses by truck in a matter of days.

The duty position for your specific shipment still needs to be confirmed by your customs broker. The rules below are a starting point, not legal advice.

EU buyers: the customs union and A.TR

The EU and Turkey have had a customs union since 1996. According to the European Commission's Access2Markets portal, it covers industrial products and processed agricultural products. Agricultural products and coal and steel products are excluded and fall under separate agreements.

What this means in practice for a suit importer in Germany, the Netherlands, France, Belgium, Austria, Sweden, Romania or Greece:

• Suits produced and in free circulation in Turkey are accompanied by an A.TR movement certificate.
• The A.TR proves the goods' customs status (free circulation). It is not a certificate of origin.
• With a valid A.TR, the goods generally enter the EU without customs duty. VAT is still due at import, at your country's rate.
• Your broker declares the goods and presents the A.TR at import.

We prepare the A.TR together with the commercial invoice and packing list for EU shipments.

UK buyers: the UK-Turkey trade agreement

After Brexit, the UK left the EU-Turkey Customs Union. The UK and Turkey signed a continuity trade agreement that has applied since 1 January 2021 and broadly keeps the earlier tariff-free terms for qualifying goods.

Key differences from the EU route, based on the UK government's guidance:

• Preference depends on rules of origin, not on free circulation. The goods must qualify as originating under the agreement's product-specific rules.
• Proof is usually an origin declaration made by the exporter on the invoice or another commercial document.
• Goods that do not meet the rules can still be imported, but at the standard UK tariff.
• Import VAT applies as normal.

Because origin rules for textiles are detailed, ask your broker to confirm how your suits qualify before the first shipment. The UK Trade Tariff lists the duty rates by commodity code.

Balkans, Moldova and other non-EU Europe

Serbia, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Albania, Kosovo, North Macedonia and Moldova each have their own trade arrangements with Turkey. Many of these include free trade agreements, but terms and documents differ. Tell us the destination and your broker's requirements, and we will prepare the right paperwork.

Transport: truck, air or sea

Road freight is the standard route from Istanbul to most of Europe.

Groupage (part-load) trucks are useful for mid-size orders. You choose the mode; we ship by road, air or sea, whichever fits your deadline and budget. We quote freight per destination, or hand the goods to your own forwarder. See our shipping page.

Sizes for the European market

European suit sizes are usually based on half the chest measurement in centimetres.

Our ready-stock lots are usually in EU sizes, for example 46-48-50-52-54-56. Made-to-order production can include short, long and big & tall sizes. Size curves differ between markets: Northern European buyers often need longer lengths, while Southern European buyers sell more in the middle sizes. Check our size guide.

Labelling: fibre composition and care

In the EU, textile products sold to consumers must be labelled with their fibre composition under Regulation (EU) No 1007/2011 on textile fibre names and labelling. The main points:

• The label must show the fibre names and percentages by weight, listed in descending order.
• Labels must be durable, legible and securely attached.
• Only the fibre names listed in the regulation may be used.
• Member states can require the label in their official language or languages.

Care labelling symbols are widely used and expected by retailers, though they are handled under separate standards. The UK has kept equivalent fibre labelling rules.

Suits do not need CE marking. CE applies to product groups such as toys, electrical goods and protective equipment, not to ordinary clothing. Chemical safety rules such as REACH still apply to textiles on the EU market. Our fabrics are OEKO-TEX Standard 100 certified, which many European buyers ask for.

EU and UK import checklist

• EORI number for the importer
• Customs broker appointed
• Commodity code confirmed with your broker
• A.TR (EU) or origin declaration (UK) agreed with the factory
• Fibre composition and care labels checked for your market and language
• Size range matched to your customers
• Transport mode and delivery term agreed

Who buys Turkish suits in Europe

European buyers of Turkish suits range from independent menswear shops to online brands and wedding and formalwear chains. Typical profiles we work with:

• Independent retailers in Germany, Austria and the Netherlands buying ready-stock lots of business and wedding suits.
• Online menswear brands in the UK, France and Sweden ordering private label runs from 100 units per style.
• Formalwear and rental companies buying tuxedos and 3-piece suits in a wide size range.
• Balkan, Romanian and Greek wholesalers buying mixed lots for regional distribution.

Each group has different needs on sizes, labels and delivery, so tell us how you sell when you first contact us.

Practical tips for a first EU or UK order

• Send your label artwork in your market's language with the order.
• Ask your broker for the commodity code before the invoice is issued, so the documents match.
• Decide on hanging or folded transport before production, because packing changes the freight cost.
• Order a sample to check fit against what your customers are used to.
• Keep the A.TR or origin declaration on file with your import records.

Frequently asked questions