Sectors / Customs Procedures in Mineral Ore Export
Customs Procedures in Mineral Ore Export
The customs side of mineral ore export starts with declaring ore and concentrate as bulk cargo: weighing, sampling and the analysis report determine the quantity and quality stated on the declaration. Export registration and the MAPEG licensing chain must be completed before the customs declaration is filed. This page covers industrial ore and concentrate export, not precious metal (gold, silver) export.
When people hear "mineral export" they often think of gold or silver first — but that is not what this page covers. Precious metal export is subject to a separate regulatory and oversight regime (Turkish Treasury and Central Bank rules, precious metals exchange rules) and falls outside the scope described here. What is covered here is the export of chromium, boron, iron and similar ores and their concentrates as industrial raw materials.
On the customs side, ore export works on bulk cargo logic. The goods are not boxed, palletised or of standard dimensions; material coming out of the mine or the enrichment plant is weighed in bulk, sampled and declared based on the analysis result. The quantity and quality on the declaration are confirmed by the weighing and analysis report, not by the invoice figure.
There is also a separate layer on the pricing side: in ore and concentrate contracts, the sale price is often not a fixed figure but a formula tied to the international commodity price at the time of delivery and the grade (useful mineral content) that comes out of the sample analysis. This means the customs value on the declaration also needs to be derived from that same formula; consistency between the invoice figure and the declaration cannot be guaranteed until the analysis result is finalised.
The second distinguishing point is the licensing chain. In ore export, the customs declaration is the last step in the process; before that, export registration and the licensing and dispatch-slip processes on the MAPEG (General Directorate of Mining and Petroleum Affairs) side must already be completed. For a related topic on stone type and market access, see our natural stone export page; for the general process flow, see our export customs clearance page.
Customs Procedures in Mineral Ore Export — What We Pay Attention to in the Process
Precious metal export is not covered on this page
Export of gold, silver and similar precious metals is subject to a separate oversight regime; Treasury and Central Bank rules, precious metals exchange rules and a different customs declaration regime come into play. That is not what is covered here. This page describes the customs side of industrial ore and concentrate export (chromium, boron, iron, aluminium ore and similar); a visitor looking for precious metal export is on the wrong page, and clarifying this distinction up front saves time for both sides.
Where the gap between stockyard weight and loaded weight in bulk cargo comes from
In ore and concentrate shipments, quantity is determined by weighing rather than by counting individual pieces; the weighing method used (weighbridge, ship draft survey, conveyor weighing system) can produce a difference of a few percentage points in the result. A small gap between the stockyard quantity measured at the mine or storage site and the quantity measured while loading onto the vessel at the port is not unusual in bulk cargo; what matters is that the tolerance range for that gap has been defined in advance in the contract and the declaration. Changing the weighing method changes the result, so which weighing method will be treated as authoritative is settled before loading.
Export registration and the MAPEG licensing chain must be finished before customs
In ore export, the customs declaration is the final link in the chain. Before that, the exporter's registration with the relevant Exporters' Association must be completed, the dispatch slip by which the licence holder approves the shipment must be issued on the MAPEG side, and, where required, the documentation for removal from the mining site must be in place. A gap in this chain that surfaces at customs looks like a customs problem, but its source lies outside customs; checking that these documents are complete before the declaration is registered is the only way to avoid a surprise on shipment day.
Sample and analysis report: the analysis result, not the GTİP, drives the declaration
For ore and concentrate, the tariff heading is generally clear-cut (chromium ore, borates, iron ore and similar main groups are distinct from one another); what actually drives the outcome is the analysis report, because pricing — and in some countries the tax rate — depends on the ore's grade (the proportion of useful mineral it contains). Sending samples taken before loading and at the port for laboratory analysis shows both whether there is a price dispute with the buyer and whether the quality on the declaration matches the actual goods. If the sampling method and which party determines the laboratory are not settled in the contract in advance, the analysis result can become a point of dispute.
What a draft survey proves at vessel loading
Because a ship-borne bulk cargo cannot be put on a weighbridge, quantity is determined using the draft survey method, calculated from the change in the vessel's waterline draft. This is a calculation made by measuring the vessel's draft before and after loading, and having it carried out by an independent surveying company means the result is accepted as impartial by both seller and buyer. The draft survey report is one of the first documents checked at inspection as proof of consistency between the declared quantity and the quantity actually loaded.
An ore's GTİP can change depending on whether it is concentrate or calcined
The same mineral's raw ore, its enriched (concentrate) form and its calcined (heat-treated) form can be assessed under different subheadings at customs; as the degree of processing increases, the tariff heading can also change. Where an exporter sells material from the same mine in both raw and processed form, the degree of processing for each shipment needs to be clearly stated in the technical description and the analysis report; otherwise, selecting the wrong subheading creates problems on the duty and statistics side.
How origin varies depending on the source of the ore
In ore export, the certificate of origin is assessed based on the site the goods were extracted from and, where relevant, where any enrichment process took place. Depending on the target market, an A.TR movement certificate, EUR.1 or certificate of origin may come into play; some countries may also request an additional declaration on the ore's source. Settling the document route with the buyer before shipment prevents a last-minute document gap at customs.
How fluctuation in commodity prices carries through to the invoice and declaration
Ore and concentrate prices are often tied to an international commodity index, and days can pass between the loading date and the invoice date; if the price changes in that interval, the contract's pricing formula (which date's index is authoritative) comes into play. Keeping the declared value consistent with that formula causes fewer problems than a value correction made afterwards. Settling the pricing formula in writing in advance reduces uncertainty at the declaration stage for both buyer and seller.
Whether the terminal's equipment can handle the cargo
Bulk cargo handling requires conveyor belts, grab cranes or similar specialised equipment; not every terminal can load every ore type at the same capacity. If the number of vehicles used to move material from the site to the port and the loading speed are not planned to match the vessel's cut-off time, demurrage costs result. The terminal's equipment capacity and appointment schedule are a constraint that needs to be assessed together with the ore quantity when planning a shipment.
Blended vs. segregated stockpiles
In some ores, batches from different sites or different grade ranges can mix in the stockyard; in that case, the quality to be declared needs to be recalculated based on which batch mixed in at what proportion. Where the buyer has specified a particular grade range in the contract, the average grade of a mixed batch may not meet the contract requirement. Keeping batches separate in the stockyard, or recording the mixing ratio, makes it easier for the pre-shipment analysis result to match the contract.
How moisture content changes the weight and analysis result
In some ore and concentrate types (particularly minerals in concentrate form), moisture content affects both the weighed gross weight and the analysis result; the same load weighed wet on site and the same load weighed after drying give different figures. If the contract does not specify whether pricing is based on dry weight or actual (wet) weight, a discrepancy can arise between the weighing and analysis results. Specifying dry or wet basis in the contract, and measuring moisture at the time of sampling, prevents this discrepancy.
Typical GTİP Distinction for Ore and Industrial Minerals
| Product | GTİP | Form | Note |
|---|---|---|---|
| Chromium ore and its concentrates | 2610.00 | Bulk cargo, concentrate | Not a precious metal |
| Natural sodium borate and its concentrates | 2528 | Bulk or bagged, concentrate | Refined/calcined forms (boric acid, borax) move to Chapter 28 and do not stay under this position |
| Iron ore and its concentrates (non-agglomerated) | 2601.11 | Bulk cargo | Priced according to grade |
| Aluminium ore and its concentrates (bauxite) | 2606.00 | Bulk cargo | |
| Natural barium sulphate (barite) | 2511.10 | Ground or powder, bulk or bagged | Used in the drilling mud sector |
| Perlite / vermiculite (unexpanded) | 2530.10 | Bulk cargo, bagged | Expanded form falls under a different position |
How Mineral Ore Export Works
- 1Confirming that export registration and the MAPEG licence/dispatch-slip processes have been completed.
- 2Clarifying the ore type and degree of processing (raw, concentrate, calcined); the GTİP determination follows from this.
- 3Taking samples and preparing the analysis report; pricing and the quality stated on the declaration are based on this report.
- 4Deciding the document route based on the buyer's country: A.TR, EUR.1 or certificate of origin.
- 5Planning the pre- and post-loading weighing (weighbridge or draft survey); settling in the contract which method is authoritative.
- 6Carrying out vessel loading with independent surveying present and issuing the draft survey report.
- 7Registering the export declaration and proceeding based on the inspection line assigned; completing the document set for closing the declaration after departure.
Documents Required for Mineral Ore Export
- Registration with the relevant Exporters' Association
- Licence/dispatch slip issued on the MAPEG side, and documentation for removal from the site
- Sample analysis report (grade and quality determination)
- Weighbridge ticket or draft survey report
- An A.TR movement certificate, EUR.1 or certificate of origin, depending on the target market
- Technical description showing the ore's degree of processing (raw/concentrate/calcined)
- Independent surveying company report, where requested by the buyer
Factors That Determine Timing in Mineral Ore Export
- The ore's type and degree of processing (raw, concentrate, calcined); GTİP determination depends on this
- Export registration and the MAPEG licensing chain being completed before the customs declaration
- Waiting for sample analysis results
- Weighing method: weighbridge or draft survey, and which one is authoritative
- The inspection line the declaration is assigned to, and planning for physical inspection if required
- Obtaining the movement/origin certificate and its approval steps, depending on the buyer's country
- Port congestion, vessel scheduling and loading capacity
- How fluctuation in international ore/commodity prices carries through to the contract and invoice side
At a Glance
- This page covers industrial ore and concentrate export; precious metal export (gold, silver and similar) is subject to a separate oversight regime and falls outside its scope.
- In ore and concentrate export, the customs declaration is the final step; before that, export registration and the MAPEG licence/dispatch-slip process must be completed.
- The quantity of bulk cargo is determined by weighbridge weighing or draft survey rather than by counting individual pieces; which method is authoritative is settled in the contract in advance.
- The sample analysis report determines not only quality but, in most cases, pricing as well; the ore's grade (proportion of useful mineral) feeds directly into the price.
- The raw, concentrate and calcined forms of the same ore can be assessed under different tariff headings; the degree of processing needs to be documented through the technical description and the analysis report.
- ACR Gümrük Müşavirliği manages both the customs declaration and the document route for mineral exporters' ore and concentrate files under one roof; operations run across Türkiye, with Antalya, Mersin and Izmir at the forefront.
- Under Harmonized System classification, chromium ore falls under HS heading 2610, natural sodium borate under 2528, iron ore under 2601.11, aluminium ore (bauxite) under 2606.00 and barite under 2511.10; these codes are for industrial ores excluding precious metals.
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Frequently Asked Questions
Does the process on this page also apply to gold or silver export?+
No. Precious metal export is subject to a separate oversight regime and falls outside the scope of this page. What is covered here is the export of chromium, boron, iron and similar industrial ores and concentrates.
Which document needs to be ready on the MAPEG side before the customs declaration?+
The dispatch slip by which the licence holder approves the shipment, and, where required, the documentation for removal from the mining site, must be completed before the customs declaration is registered. These documents are part of the MAPEG process, not customs; even if a gap is spotted at customs, its source lies there.
What is the difference between weighbridge weighing and a draft survey?+
Weighbridge weighing is a direct weighing carried out on site or in a storage area; a draft survey is a quantity determination calculated for bulk cargo carried by ship, based on measuring the vessel's draft. Which one is authoritative under the contract needs to be settled before loading, because the two methods can give different results.
Who carries out the sample analysis, and can the result be disputed?+
The sampling method and the laboratory are generally agreed between buyer and seller in the contract; using an independent laboratory makes the result acceptable to both sides. If this is not settled, the analysis result can become a point of dispute — for this reason, defining it in writing at the contract stage is recommended.
Is a different GTİP used for the raw and concentrate forms of the same ore?+
Generally, yes. As the degree of processing increases (enrichment, calcination and similar), the tariff heading can also change. The degree of processing for a given shipment is settled through the technical description and the analysis report — it is not declared based on assumption.
If the price is tied to an index, how is the invoice amount settled?+
The contract specifies in advance which date's commodity index is authoritative; the invoice and the customs declaration value are calculated according to that formula. If the formula is not settled, the price difference between the loading date and the invoice date can turn into a value dispute.
Can every port load every ore type at the same speed?+
No. Bulk cargo handling depends on the terminal's equipment (conveyor, grab crane and similar), and not every terminal can handle every ore type at the same capacity. If the loading speed does not match the vessel's cut-off time, demurrage costs can result — for this reason, terminal selection and scheduling are planned together with the shipment quantity.
Why might a wet cargo's weight not match the analysis result?+
In some minerals in concentrate form, moisture content affects both the weighed weight and the analysis result. If the contract does not state in writing whether pricing is based on dry weight or actual weight, a discrepancy can arise between the weighing and analysis results — for this reason, having moisture content determined at the time of sampling is recommended.
How long does mineral ore export take?+
Because it varies with the status of the MAPEG licensing chain, the sample analysis turnaround and the mode of transport, giving a fixed timeframe would not be accurate. The main factors that determine the timeline are: how far the licensing chain has progressed, whether the analysis report is still pending, the inspection line the declaration is assigned to, and port/vessel congestion.
The Turkish original of this page was reviewed by our licensed customs broker. This translation is provided for information; the Turkish version prevails.
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