PAGDER/Benliler: Customs Update Should Be Reassessed with Industry Stakeholders' Input

The President of the Plastic Industrialists Association (PAGDER), Kenan Benliler, stated that the requirement for a report to be prepared by an authorized customs consultant for the import of certain plastic raw materials negatively impacts the sector. He said, "This regulation requires monitoring of which sector the imported products supplied domestically will be used for. However, declarations are submitted at the time of import, while sales may occur much later. In this case, it seems that a healthy process cannot be maintained."

Regarding Retroactive Cost Increase
Benliler mentioned that the regulation has become a retroactive cost increase factor for companies due to its application to imports that have occurred since the beginning of 2024, stating, "Companies have continued to import as in previous years, taking into account their cost items, and brought their products to market. However, at this point, it is said that a report from an authorized customs consultant must be prepared for all imports that occur throughout 2024. This situation means an increase in costs in actual trade and thus a decrease in profit margins. It is critically important for all affected sectors that the regulation is updated to exclude declarations for 2024 initially and then reviewed with the input of industry stakeholders."

Creating Inflationary Pressure
Benliler also addressed the inflationary effects of rising costs, saying, "Regulations that increase input costs, such as this one, have a negative impact on inflation, which the public is striving to combat with great self-sacrifice. We believe that addressing the supply side, which is as important as the demand side in combating inflation, and taking steps to reduce input costs is necessary."