Turkey has introduced clarified rules for transporting dangerous goods by air. These rules apply to local operators, as well as foreign operators using Turkish airspace. The rules address certification, reporting and labelling requirements for transporting such goods.

The Regulation Regarding Procedures and Principles for the Transportation of Dangerous Goods by Air (“Regulation”) was published in Official Gazette number 30390 on 13 April 2018.

Notable provisions in the Regulation include:

  • Operators which want to transport dangerous goods must obtain a Dangerous Goods Transportation Authorization Certificate.
  • To transport explosive materials for civilian use by air, a transport permission certificate should be given by Ministry of Interior.
  • Non-Turkish operators using Turkish airspace to transfer dangerous goods must submit a certificate of authorization to carry dangerous goods to the Directorate General for Dangerous Goods and Combined Transport Regulation, issued by the competent authority in the operator’s country.
  • Certain labels, signs and plates must be used when transporting dangerous goods, as defined in the technical specifications.
  • The Ministry of Transport, Maritime Affairs and Communication will determine specific procedures and principles for foreign-owned enterprises in this context, including input from the Ministry of Foreign Affairs.

Violations of the Regulation can lead to administrative fines between 2,000 and 50,000 Turkish Liras. If a violation seriously threatens life, property, environment or flight safety, the fine will be increased by 100%.

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

Information first published in the MA | Gazette, a fortnightly legal update newsletter produced by Moroğlu Arseven.