Glossary / Customs Power of Attorney (Gümrük Vekaletnamesi)
Customs Power of Attorney (Gümrük Vekaletnamesi) — explained
A customs power of attorney is a notarised document in which a company authorises a customs broker to carry out customs procedures on its behalf, including registering declarations, and sets out the scope of that authority.
Notarisation of the power of attorney is required under Article 561 of the Customs Regulation; only powers of attorney issued by public institutions and organisations are exempt from notarisation. The document must include the parties’ addresses, tax office and registration numbers, the purpose and scope of the authority, the type of representation (general or specific), and the place and date of execution.
A general power of attorney covers all of a company’s customs transactions; a specific power of attorney is limited to a particular transaction or shipment. Which one is drawn up depends on the company’s transaction volume and preference.
The Regulation does not treat a time limit as a mandatory element — the text uses the phrase "its duration, if any". In practice, most companies choose to draw up an indefinite power of attorney and withdraw it if the need arises; this point needs to be clarified with the broker on a company-by-company basis.
When You Encounter It
When a company first starts using customs brokerage services, a power of attorney must be drawn up before the service can begin — no transaction, including registration of the declaration, can be carried out without this document. The power of attorney is executed before a notary by the person(s) authorised to represent the company, together with their signature circular.
A new power of attorney is also required when a company changes its customs broker; withdrawing the old power of attorney and drawing up the new one are separate steps. The full transfer process — the status of open files, handover of the archive — is covered under our Customs Brokerage service.
What It Doesn't Cover
- A power of attorney grants representation authority; it does not transfer responsibility. Liability for the accuracy of the declaration remains with the party responsible, and the broker, in the capacity of indirect representative, is jointly liable for the declaration.
Often Confused With
| Comparison | Difference |
|---|---|
| Customs Power of Attorney (Gümrük Vekaletnamesi) vs Signature Circular | A signature circular shows who is authorised to represent the company and their specimen signatures. A power of attorney, by contrast, shows that these authorised persons have granted a customs broker the authority to carry out work on the company’s behalf. Both are requested together; neither substitutes for the other. |
Frequently Asked Questions
What information must a customs power of attorney contain?+
The minimum elements are the parties’ addresses, tax office and registration numbers, the purpose and scope of the authority, the type of representation (general or specific), and the place and date of execution (Customs Regulation Art. 561).
What documents are needed for a customs power of attorney?+
When the power of attorney is drawn up at the notary, the company’s signature circular and tax ID information are requested. The list of documents a notary asks for can vary slightly from one notary to another; confirming with the specific notary before the appointment is the most reliable approach.
How much is the notary fee for a customs power of attorney?+
There is no single fixed fee; it varies according to the notary tariff and the scope of the transaction. The exact amount can only be learned from the relevant notary.
Is a customs power of attorney drawn up for a fixed term?+
The legislation does not make a time limit mandatory — it uses the phrase "its duration, if any". In practice, most companies draw up an indefinite power of attorney; this choice is clarified between the company and the broker.
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Related Terms
Where This Term Comes Up in Our Work
Customs Power of Attorney (Gümrük Vekaletnamesi) is one of the documents we track in our customs brokerage service.
Customs BrokeragePreparation, registration, and tracking of your import and export customs declarations.The Turkish original of this page was reviewed by our licensed customs broker. This translation is provided for information; the Turkish version prevails.
Source
Republic of Türkiye Ministry of Trade — Frequently Asked Questions on Customs Procedures (Customs Brokers) — Formal requirements for the power of attorney: Customs Regulation Article 561 (Official Gazette of 28.12.2011).
Last updated: August 22, 2026