Turkey’s Energy Markets Regulatory Authority (“Authority”) has amended procurement principles for petroleum products from domestic and international sources, excluding fuel oil (“Petrol Products”). New conditions now apply to the letter of conformity which is required for Petrol Product imports to enter free circulation in Turkey. The Authority must now also approve delivery of such products.

The Amendment Communiqué on Procedures and Principles of Procuring Petrol Products Except Fuel Oil from Domestic and International Sources (“Amendment Communiqué”) was published in Official Gazette number 30003 on 10 March 2017, entering into effect on the same date.

The new conditions and rules which are introduced through the Amendment Communiqué are as follows:

  • The Authority’s permission is now required in order to deliver Petrol Products to third parties which have been procured by industrialists for production purposes, and by importers on industrialists’ behalf. Products cannot be received by third persons without that permission.
  • Conformity letter are required from the Authority in order for Petrol Product imports to enter free circulation in Turkey. When considering applications for such letters, the Department of Petrol Market will cancel disused parts of effective conformity letters for companies which have expired or cancelled mineral oil licenses.
  • The Authority must notify the Department of Audit and/or competent authorities about any legislative breaches or suspicions arise that a breach has occurred during assessment of conformity letter applications.
  • Issuing a conformity letter can be suspended if the Authority initiates a preliminary inquisition and/or investigation.

Please see this link for full text of the Amendment Communiqué (only available in Turkish).