EU and Türkiye: a new agreement to strengthen customs cooperation
By mutually recognising trusted trader programmes and fostering closer cooperation between customs authorities, the agreement enhances supply chain security and facilitates legitimate trade. Customs authorities can now take operator’s trusted trader status into account in their risk assessments and when determining the level of controls. The agreement shall enter into force once the structured information exchanges regarding the authorised operators’ status has been established. The agreement marks a significant step in strengthening customs cooperation under the existing EU–Türkiye Customs Union legal framework, while delivering tangible benefits for economic operators across both markets.
Background
The Customs Union with Türkiye exists since 1995, based on the [1963 Ankara Agreement](http://ec.europa.eu/world/agreements/downloadFile.do?fileId=18983) and its 1970 Additional Protocol. Governed by the principle of free circulation of goods, the scope of this Customs Union is limited to products other than agricultural products, as defined in [Annex I of the Amsterdam Treaty](https://eur-lex.europa.eu/resource.html?uri=cellar:9e8d52e1-2c70-11e6-b497-01aa75ed71a1.0006.01/DOC_5&format=PDF), and coal and steel products, which remain subject to preferential agreements determined by their originating status.
Further information
Further guidance, practical information and explanatory material will be made available in support of implementation, including targeted communication to businesses and customs practitioners.
- Authorised Economic Operators - [AEO (Authorised Economic Operator) - European Commission](https://taxation-customs.ec.europa.eu/customs/aeo-authorised-economic-operator_en)
- Mutual Recognition - [Mutual Recognition - European Commission](https://taxation-customs.ec.europa.eu/customs/aeo-authorised-economic-operator/mutual-recognition_en)
Publication date
16 July 2026
Author
[Directorate-General for Taxation and Customs Union](https://commission.europa.eu/about/departments-and-executive-agencies/taxation-and-customs-union_en)