At the start of 2026, Turkey introduced two closely linked changes that together signal a structural shift in how metal scrap and waste-related imports are regulated. The first was the publication of the “Communiqué on the Import Inspection of Metal Scrap Kept Under Control for Environmental Protection (No: 2026/23).” Shortly after, the Ministry of Environment, Urbanization, and Climate Change announced the transition to an electronic permit system covering the import and export of waste, including metal scrap, used batteries, and accumulators.
Taken separately, each step might appear administrative. Read together, however, they point to a broader policy direction: tighter control at the border combined with greater centralization and traceability of approval processes.
Under the 2026/23 communiqué, imported metal scrap is subject to more detailed inspection requirements, with a stronger focus on classification accuracy, environmental compliance, and documentation. While Turkey has long regulated scrap imports, the updated framework places greater responsibility on importers to demonstrate compliance before and during customs clearance, rather than resolving disputes after entry.
The shift to electronic permits reinforces this approach. By moving approval processes for waste, scrap, and battery-related imports into a digital system, authorities gain greater visibility over volumes, origins, and material types before shipments arrive. For market participants, this changes the risk profile of trade: delays or inconsistencies are more likely to be identified upstream, rather than at the port gate.
This matters because Turkey is not a marginal player in the scrap market. United Nations COMTRADE data indicate that Turkey consistently ranks among the world’s largest importers of ferrous scrap, with trade volumes exceeding several billion dollars annually. Much of the country’s steel production relies on electric arc furnaces, which in turn depend heavily on imported scrap. In this context, changes to inspection rules and the shift toward electronic permits are not merely procedural updates. They directly shape how easily material can enter the country, how suppliers plan their shipments, and how confident the market feels about the reliability of Turkey’s import system.
In the short term, the combined impact of stricter inspections and digital permitting may increase compliance costs and slow transaction timelines, especially during the adjustment phase. However, for established suppliers capable of meeting documentation and quality standards, the new system could reduce uncertainty by clarifying expectations and limiting ad hoc enforcement.
Ultimately, the success of these measures will depend less on their design than on their implementation. If applied consistently and transparently, Turkey’s dual move toward tighter controls and digital oversight may strengthen its position as a regulated yet dependable scrap market. If enforcement proves uneven, however, the changes risk creating friction in a supply chain on which the country’s steel industry remains heavily reliant.
Source: https://www.mevzuat.gov.tr/mevzuat?MevzuatNo=42907&MevzuatTur=9&MevzuatTertip=5
https://csb.gov.tr/haberler/atik-ithalat-ve-ihracatinda-elektronik-izin-donemi-
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GÖNÜLTAŞ, Mehmet（Reporter）
Freelance journalist based in Istanbul, Turkey. He writes on international relations and diplomacy, with a focus on Japan–Turkey relations, military affairs, and democratic governance. His hobbies are running, language study, and traveling.
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