As Customs Brokers…

In all our activities, we comply with all national legislation we are subject to, foremost the Constitution of the Republic of Turkey, as well as all international agreements and regulations to which the Republic of Turkey is a party.

Reliability, impartiality, and independence are the core principles guiding all our business relationships.

While safeguarding the commercial interests and legal rights of our clients, we also consider the protection of public interest as our primary responsibility and manage our work with this awareness.

We make decisions in line with our responsibilities, such as the efficient use of national resources and environmental sensitivity, while applying our professional knowledge and skills.

We ensure that the declarations we make and reports we provide are accurate, presenting information correctly, clearly, and on time.

Truthfulness and transparency are our primary values in all business processes and relationships.

We respect information security, do not share our clients’ confidential commercial information, and do not allow our employees to do so.

We make maximum effort to integrate business ethics into our institutional culture.

We equip our managers and employees with awareness, rules, and practices that prevent conflicts of interest, ensuring they do not use their positions for personal gain.

We conduct representation activities (celebrations, hospitality, entertainment) in accordance with laws, our association’s regulations, and our ethical code. Our employees are not allowed to accept or give gifts that could influence impartial decisions or behavior.

In conducting our operations, we maintain equal distance from all public institutions, administrative bodies, NGOs, and political parties, without expecting any benefits.

We do not engage in or tolerate corruption.

We avoid unfair competition, protect fair competition and consumer rights, and develop all our practices in accordance with these principles.

We do not employ unregistered labor; we prioritize employee health and safety and support fair employment practices.

We participate in activities that foster social unity and awareness, acting with social responsibility and sharing this awareness with our business environment.

We develop practices to ensure that all these ethical principles, understandings, and practices extend to our partners, suppliers, and all stakeholders.

We avoid behaviors that could harm our professional reputation.

We respect the decisions of the Professional Ethics Committee.

We declare and accept that we will not use previous professional titles outside of our official designation.

Our Values

Our mission clearly defines the reason for our existence, while our vision identifies our societal-level goals. We understand that this goal is a journey, not just an endpoint. Our values guide, inspire, and define boundaries on this journey.

Our values, as the cornerstone of the customs brokerage profession and administrative culture, reflect in the way we manage our work.

We conduct our work with the awareness that our profession is a problem-solving profession and the responsibilities it entails. Through these solutions, we facilitate foreign trade and play a significant role in national development.

We feel these responsibilities not only toward the clients we serve but also toward the public, whose rights we represent in import and export operations, and environmentally, toward the future of our country and the world.

The efficient use of national resources and impartiality are among the most important values defining our profession.

Transparency, fairness, responsibility, and accountability form the essence of all decision-making mechanisms in our profession.

Regarding customs brokerage, our principle is to avoid facilitating the import, export, or transit of defective, damaged, rotten, flawed, incomplete, excessive, fraudulent, or stolen goods, and to set an example in such matters.

We act openly and honestly with clients, stakeholders, colleagues, and employees. We do not abuse influence, make false complaints, claims, or promises, provide information for personal gain, lower prices unethically, or engage in unethical personnel or client transfers. Avoiding such behavior is a fundamental aim of our association.

We act responsibly and sensitively in protecting the commercial, private, and confidential information of clients we represent indirectly.

We share our knowledge with the business community openly and ensure the information we provide is accurate. We stand by the information we communicate and guide the business world correctly.

To develop our country’s economy and foreign trade, we monitor global economic and trade developments, raise awareness among our association members, clients, and employees, and contribute by providing consultancy to public institutions and educational institutions in relevant fields.

We believe in continuous development and renewal of our knowledge, keeping it up to date. We share this knowledge with the business community and the Ministry of Customs and Trade, managing our work with the awareness of fulfilling our guidance responsibility.

We believe that business ethics extend beyond merely avoiding illegal or immoral paths—they encompass respect for current stakeholder rights and sustainable, responsible use of natural resources, ensuring the rights of future stakeholders.

Members of Customs Brokers Associations declare their commitment to the fundamental ethical principles of customs brokerage, reflecting these in administrative structures and corporate policies, and make every effort to integrate business ethics into institutional culture.

Our Ethical Rules

Our ethical rules constitute the principles regulating the operations of customs brokerage offices and stakeholder relations.

The Customs Brokers Association is a legal entity established in accordance with the relevant law, carrying the identity of a professional organization.

These rules constitute the fundamental ethical principles that define professional standards for all our member colleagues.

Trust and Respect Among Ourselves

Customs brokers adhere strictly to fair competition principles and work voluntarily under the association to advance the profession.

We conduct our work in committees and working groups with mutual trust and respect for differing opinions. Decisions and recommendations reflect a collective consensus.

In all communications, we act respectfully, valuing each other’s work, opinions, and time. We fulfill our communication responsibilities promptly, clearly, and accurately. We welcome, respect, and honestly respond to feedback.

Respect, Honesty, and Transparency Toward Others

We act openly and honestly toward all external stakeholders. We do not discriminate based on age, gender, language, race, belief, or political opinion. We embrace diversity and pluralism, supporting freedom of thought.

We strive to ensure diversity and pluralism in all commercial and managerial practices, acting in the best interests of the communities and individuals we serve.

Transparency, fairness, responsibility, and accountability are the fundamental principles of all our activities.

Respect for Law and Legal Compliance

We adopt universal declarations, particularly human rights, as a guide and act in compliance with laws in all our activities. We make business decisions considering all relevant legislation and consulting experts when necessary.

In all our institutional activities, we comply with the Constitution of Turkey, all national legislation, and all international agreements and regulations to which Turkey is a party.

In domestic and international operations, we provide accurate, complete, and understandable information to regulatory authorities in a timely manner.

Within the framework of applicable laws, we maintain all records according to legal requirements, archive them properly, and create accurate records reflecting the truth of events. We sign only documents we are authorized to sign and believe are correct and truthful.

Social Responsibility and Volunteering

We act in the public interest in all our activities.

We do not pressure others to participate in charitable activities or social groups we choose.

We do not participate in decision-making meetings for charities or other organizations where we are managers or supporters. We provide relevant information to decision-making bodies while avoiding influencing impartial decisions.

Environmental Awareness

We take care to prevent harm to nature and cultural heritage, whether related to our activities or not. We implement sustainability policies in management and production processes, support preventive approaches, and contribute to spreading environmental responsibility.

Ownership and Exemplary Behavior

In all our activities, we embrace and demonstrate ethical and reputation management guided by our mission, core values, and ethical rules, setting a positive example for society.

We avoid actions and behaviors that could negatively affect this understanding and our identity.

Respect for Privacy and Protection of Personal Data

We offer stakeholders options regarding their privacy preferences and respect their choices, sharing these transparently on our websites under the “Privacy Notice.”

We protect the personal and private information of current and former employees, management, clients, and others we collaborate with. Personal data is used only for legitimate association purposes.

Rational Use of Assets

We use all company resources, including time, efficiently and planfully, solely for company purposes.

We do not use company assets, systems, or communication tools to create, store, or distribute content others might find offensive.

We avoid all uses that may cause loss or damage, including spreading viruses or compromising information security.

Avoiding Conflicts of Interest

In all activities, we prioritize decisions and actions that protect the interests and reputation of our profession.

We disclose potential conflicts of interest to the Association Board and consciously prevent situations where personal or family interests could conflict with the association.

Members serving in association bodies cannot engage in income-generating activities for the association or on its behalf. Members may not use their association membership to promote, market, or sell their own customs brokerage services.

Representation, Gifts, and Bribery

Representation activities (celebrations, banquets, hospitality) are conducted only when compliant with law, association regulations, and ethical rules.

We never offer or accept gifts, bribes, or commissions to obtain or influence any business.

Honest Relations and Communication with Our Environment and the Media

We share our professional activities with members and the public through our website and cooperate with local and national media.

We promote the ethical values of our profession in business and social environments.

Requests from business, social circles, or media are directed to the Association Board or Secretary-General. We avoid giving statements affecting the entire profession, protecting the profession’s reputation.

We ensure that all public statements made on behalf of the association are accurate, complete, understandable, and timely.

In all communications, we respect the rights of third parties and institutions.

Unless explicitly authorized by the Board, we do not speak or act on behalf of the association in personal communications, online forums, blogs, interviews, articles, or social media.

We act to prevent personal social or political opinions or activities from being perceived as representing the entire professional group.