Turkey: WTO rules 40% tariff on Chinese vehicles unlawful
On 28 July 2026, a WTO dispute settlement panel ruled in China's favour against Turkey over its additional 40% tariff applied since July 2024 to vehicles imported from China. The ruling does not require Turkey to immediately withdraw the measure, which remains in force as of 27 September 2026.
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A World Trade Organization panel ruled on 28 July 2026 that Turkey's additional tariff exceeds the tariff commitments Turkey has made and treats Chinese vehicles less favourably than WTO rules allow.
This tariff, which took effect on 7 July 2024 under a presidential decree published in the Turkish Official Gazette, adds a minimum of $7,000 per vehicle, or 40% of its imported value if that amount is higher, for internal-combustion, hybrid and electric vehicles imported from China.
China had filed a complaint with the WTO in October 2024. The panel's report of 28 July 2026 can be appealed, but the WTO Appellate Body has been paralysed since late 2019 for lack of appointed judges, which could freeze the case for a long time. As of 27 September 2026, Turkey has announced no lifting of the tariff.
Chinese vehicle exporters and any company importing vehicles assembled in China into Turkey are affected. This does not affect sourcing of spare parts or unassembled components, which follow a separate tariff regime.
What it changes for an importer
Sorva does not export vehicles from China, since vehicle exports require an accredited exporter licence validated by MOFCOM, and this tariff changes nothing for our sourcing services outside the automotive sector. For a client who nonetheless imports a vehicle into Turkey, this extra cost must be budgeted for as long as the measure remains in force: the WTO ruling has no concrete effect as of 27 September 2026.
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