ETGB, or Electronic Commerce Customs Declaration in English, is a declaration required for customs procedures in e-commerce transactions. ETGB is filled out electronically and is an application used to facilitate international trade and expedite customs procedures.

Companies engaged in foreign trade activities such as import and export are subject to customs regulations for sending and receiving goods. Customs procedures for goods entering or leaving Turkey are carried out through a customs declaration submitted to the customs administration. Before 2012, all information related to goods was included on the printed version of the customs declaration. However, with the development of digitization and the e-commerce sector, the Electronic Commerce Customs Declaration (ETGB) has been introduced. This allows the customs declaration process for goods with a specified weight and value, sent or received by cargo, to be carried out digitally without the need for a printed customs declaration.

### WHAT IS THE ELECTRONIC COMMERCE CUSTOMS DECLARATION (ETGB)?

The Electronic Commerce Customs Declaration is an application that enables all processes related to the customs declaration of goods to be conducted electronically. It is one of the commonly used applications in the e-commerce sector. ETGB is primarily used for postal and express cargo shipments. As a digital application, it not only helps eliminate costs associated with customs clearance but also saves time. The purpose of using the Electronic Commerce Customs Declaration is to facilitate the business of individuals or companies wishing to sell and send products abroad. However, the scope of the application is limited to transactions below 300 kg and €15,000 excluding value-added tax (VAT). If the shipment from the sending company exceeds these limits, it is required to complete traditional export procedures. In other words, micro exports, defined as small-scale shipments, are carried out with ETGB declaration. Unlike traditional exports, the use of customs consultancy services is not required for ETGB, eliminating customs consultancy service fees. Additionally, there is no need for archiving the declaration. The ETGB process is handled by fast logistics and courier companies, which receive authorization from the senders.

### WHAT DOES THE ELECTRONIC COMMERCE CUSTOMS DECLARATION (ETGB) COVER?

The Electronic Commerce Customs Declaration is filled out online, and it is used not only for customs procedures but also for calculating and paying customs duties. ETGB covers the following situations:

– Goods with a gross weight below 300 kilograms and a value below €15,000,
– Items for personal use with a value not exceeding €150, such as book-like publications,
– Commercially non-significant items with a gross weight below 30 kg and a value below €500,
– Items sent by a person that could not be brought with them; sent within one month before entering the country or within three months after leaving,
– Printed publications sent to institutions such as public agencies, museums, libraries, and scientific research institutions,
– Samples of goods.

Items subject to inspection, such as those sent for fairs and exhibitions, items sent for repair, mobile phones, medicines, dietary supplements, and chemicals, as well as free-of-charge items, are not covered by ETGB.

### WHAT IS THE PURPOSE OF THE ELECTRONIC COMMERCE CUSTOMS DECLARATION (ETGB) DOCUMENT?

The Electronic Commerce Customs Declaration is prepared by the logistics company that sends the shipment, with the authorization given by the sender. After the sender submits the declaration form to the logistics company via email, the logistics company fills out the ETGB in digital format. Keeping all processes in digital format facilitates digital archiving and access to documents. Moreover, while minimizing the customs declaration expenses of the sending company, the exit warehouse fee is also not applicable. The entirely electronic process ensures the secure delivery of the goods to the recipient. This is particularly beneficial in the e-commerce sector, providing time advantage to those who want to conduct transactions quickly and efficiently through digital means. For those wishing to engage in micro-export within the specified limits, the first step is to fill out the micro-export shipment information form. Additionally, logistics companies need an indirect representation authorization document to process transactions. The original invoice, approved by the finance authorities, containing details and the value of the goods, along with a customs invoice in the language requested by the destination country, are submitted to the logistics or courier company along with the shipment. The logistics company utilizes the received representation authorization and the ETGB form via email to fill out the Electronic Commerce Customs Declaration.

### HOW TO FILL OUT THE FORM OF THE ELECTRONIC COMMERCE CUSTOMS DECLARATION (ETGB)?

The company engaged in export, sending goods through logistics or courier companies, sends the ETGB Export Information Form to facilitate the filling of the Electronic Commerce Customs Declaration (ETGB). The form is completed with the following information:

– Contact person and their phone and email address,
– Tax number and tax office,
– Bill of lading number,
– Documents delivered with the goods,
– Exporter company information,
– Customs Tariff Statistics Number (HS Code),
– Country of origin of the goods,
– Address of the receiving company,
– Quantity of goods,
– Value of goods,
– Receiving company,
– Payment method,
– Number of packages,
– Exporter bank information,
– Net and gross weight,
– Invoice number and date approved by the finance authorities,
– Type of incoming/outgoing goods,
– Seal and signature of the sending company.

Once the form is received, the logistics or courier company completes the Electronic Commerce Customs Declaration, initiating the export procedures.

### ADVANTAGES OF THE ELECTRONIC COMMERCE CUSTOMS DECLARATION (ETGB)

The system primarily accelerates processes in the trade and service sectors. Payments are made quickly and securely through this system. In addition to these advantages, other benefits include:

– Payments for transactions carried out by issuing the Electronic Commerce Customs Declaration are completed simultaneously with the completion of the payment declaration. This means that customers do not have to wait for the payment process to complete export or import transactions.
– Payment can be made by credit card, and credit card information is secured through verification and encryption methods.
– As all processes are carried out in electronic format, businesses are not required to make payments by check or cash. The ability to pay customs duties by credit card also reduces business costs.
– Digital processes eliminate manual writing errors.
– Businesses can easily generate reports.
– Payments can be made via mobile devices.
– Registration with the Exporters Union is not mandatory.
– As there is no customs consultancy service, there are no customs consultancy fees.
– No additional fees for waybill are required.
– Allows for VAT refund from shipments.
– Since all processes take place in electronic format, there is no extra paperwork, resulting in time and budget savings.

### HOW TO PERFORM ETGB QUERY?

Those who want to inquire about the status of their declarations and customs procedures can perform a query through the Electronic Commerce Customs Declaration. For this, the customs declaration number is crucial for query procedures. The customs declaration number is used in customs declaration query processes. After entering the customs declaration query system, a search is performed using the declaration number. This provides access to information related to the declaration. Among this information are detailed product information, including price, quantity, weight, manufacturer details, and customs processing status.

Esalco Logistics, with its well-equipped and competent team, is ready to be your solution partner in all your micro-export transactions through the Electronic Commerce Customs Declaration (ETGB). Our experienced staff ensures that your transactions proceed as planned with ETGB in place. Collaboration with