Key takeaways
- Turkey is strongest in CNC machining, sheet metal, welded steel fabrication and assembly — the core of most machine and equipment builds.
- For EU buyers, the EU–Turkey customs union means most industrial goods enter without customs duty when shipped with an A.TR movement certificate.
- For US buyers, duties depend on the HS code; ask for a DDP quote so the landed cost is known before you approve.
- Choose a supplier that reviews your drawings before quoting and ships an inspection report with every order.
What contract manufacturing in Turkey covers
Contract manufacturing — also called build-to-print — means you own the design and a supplier makes the parts to your drawings. Turkey has a large, export-oriented supplier base serving the automotive, machinery, defence and white-goods industries, so the processes that matter for industrial equipment are mature and widely available:
- CNC milling and turning in aluminium, carbon steel, stainless steel and engineering plastics.
- Sheet metal: laser cutting, press-brake bending, inserts and powder coating.
- Welding and steel fabrication: MIG/TIG welded frames, machine bases, skids, platforms and enclosures.
- Additive manufacturing (FDM, SLA, SLS) for prototypes and small series.
- Mechanical assembly of sub-assemblies and complete machines.
Most buyers start with one family of parts — for example a set of machined brackets or a welded frame — and extend to assemblies once quality and communication are proven. See our contract manufacturing service for how we run this end to end.
Why US and European companies look at Turkey
- Proximity to Europe: road freight to central Europe typically takes days rather than the weeks needed for sea freight from Asia.
- The EU–Turkey customs union (in force since 1996) covers industrial goods, which simplifies imports into the EU.
- Time-zone overlap: Turkey (UTC+3) shares most of the working day with Europe and the morning with the US East Coast.
- Cost: labour and overhead are generally lower than in the US and Western Europe, which matters most for labour-intensive work such as welding, fabrication and assembly.
- Engineering culture: many shops are used to working from ISO and ASME drawings for export customers.
Customs and duties: EU vs US
Shipping into the European Union
Under the customs union, industrial goods in free circulation in Turkey can enter the EU without customs duty when accompanied by an A.TR movement certificate. Import VAT still applies in the destination country and is normally recoverable for VAT-registered businesses. Agricultural products and some steel products follow separate rules, so confirm the treatment of your specific product with your customs broker.
Shipping into the United States
The US has no free-trade agreement with Turkey, so duty depends on the product's HTS classification. Steel and aluminium content can attract additional duties under Section 232, and rates have changed several times in recent years. The practical approach is to agree the HS code with your supplier at quote stage and ask for a DDP (Delivered Duty Paid) price, so the number you approve already includes duty and delivery to your door.
DAP or DDP: which shipping term to choose
| Term | Who pays duty and import taxes | Best for |
|---|---|---|
| DAP — Delivered at Place | You (the buyer), on arrival | Companies with their own customs broker or recurring imports |
| DDP — Delivered Duty Paid | The supplier, included in the price | First orders, prototypes, buyers who want one landed price |
| EXW / FCA | You, plus you arrange transport | Buyers with a contracted freight forwarder |
How a typical order runs
- Send files: STEP models plus PDF drawings with tolerances, material and finish. A sketch and a short brief is enough for a first conversation.
- Engineering review and quote: the supplier checks the drawings, flags cost drivers and confirms price, lead time and shipping term.
- Sample or first article: for new parts, approve one piece or a first-article inspection report before the series runs.
- Production with updates: photos and status during manufacturing.
- Inspection and shipping: parts are checked against the drawing, packed for export and shipped with the paperwork.
Quality control you should expect
Distance makes quality discipline more important, not less. As a minimum, expect a dimensional report against your drawing with every order, material certificates on request, and photos of the parts and packaging before dispatch. For critical parts, agree the inspection plan — which dimensions, how many pieces, which measuring method — before production starts. Our DFM checklist helps you remove tolerances that add cost without adding function.
How to choose a supplier in Turkey
- Ask who reviews your drawings. A supplier with in-house mechanical engineering will catch errors before they become scrap.
- Ask for an example inspection report and photos of similar work.
- Check that they will sign your NDA before you send files.
- Confirm invoicing currency (USD, EUR or GBP) and payment terms in writing.
- Start with a small order and measure communication speed as well as part quality.
Ready to test it? Our RFQ checklist lists exactly what to send for an accurate quote.
Frequently asked questions
Is manufacturing in Turkey cheaper than in the US or Germany?
For labour-intensive work such as welding, fabrication and assembly it is usually noticeably cheaper. For highly automated, high-volume parts the difference is smaller, and shipping and duty must be included in the comparison.
Do I pay customs duty on parts from Turkey into the EU?
Most industrial goods enter the EU duty-free under the customs union when shipped with an A.TR certificate. Import VAT still applies and is normally recoverable for VAT-registered companies.
What is the minimum order quantity?
It depends on the supplier. Mechline Engineering makes single prototypes as well as small and medium series, with a minimum order of one piece.
More guides
- Manufacturing in Turkey vs China: cost, lead time and risk compared
- How to outsource mechanical design without losing control
- DFM checklist for CNC machined, sheet metal and welded parts
- RFQ checklist: what to send for an accurate manufacturing quote
- When do you need FEA? A practical guide for product teams