Mazot in Türkiye: how diesel affects road freight costs

In Turkish, mazot means diesel fuel. It is not an export declaration, a certificate of origin or a separate cargo document. An export declaration has a different name: ihracat beyannamesi. Understanding the distinction helps when comparing freight quotations from Türkiye, particularly where a carrier refers to a special refuelling arrangement.

Fuel is only one component of a journey’s cost. Even a confirmed tax exemption on a diesel supply does not produce the same discount for every route, vehicle or consignment.

The basis of the fuel exemption

Turkish legislation provides a special regime for certain diesel supplies to vehicles carrying goods out under the export procedure. The legal framework includes Article 7/A of Law 4760 on special consumption tax and the relevant VAT provisions.

Eligibility depends on designated exit points and refuelling locations, vehicle type, the export operation, documentation and standard fuel-tank allowances. The arrangement must be confirmed for the specific journey. Not every Turkish filling station operates under this regime, and fitting an additional tank does not create an unlimited entitlement to tax-exempt fuel.

For a reliable quotation, the carrier should confirm that the operation meets the current conditions and that eligible refuelling is available on the agreed route. Undated historical prices per litre are not a valid basis for a current freight rate.

Separate origin from customs status

Describing goods as Turkish-made is not sufficient to establish eligibility for a fuel exemption. Origin concerns a product’s economic nationality under the relevant rules. Customs status and procedure determine how the goods move across the border.

Foreign-made goods already released for free circulation in Türkiye can follow a different departure procedure from goods merely in transit or held under customs control. A conclusion requires the actual documents. Separately assess origin-based tariff preferences, which concern duty on the goods rather than the diesel price paid by the truck operator.

Estimate the effect on the quotation

The potential effect of a refuelling arrangement can be estimated by multiplying the litres actually eligible for that arrangement by the confirmed price difference. This measures a change in the carrier’s costs, not an automatic discount payable to the customer.

For illustration, a EUR 0.15-per-litre difference over 400 litres changes fuel costs by EUR 60. These figures are neither current Turkish fuel prices nor an authorised refuelling allowance. For a groupage shipment, the full amount cannot automatically be assigned to one consignment: costs are shared across shipments and route sections.

When comparing offers, check road tolls, any ferry crossing, permit costs, vehicle positioning, waiting time, customs support and unloading. Lower fuel costs may not offset a more expensive sea leg or extra empty mileage.

Provide the inputs needed for a usable rate

Supply the collection and delivery addresses, cargo-ready date, product description, package count, weight, volume and dimensions. Add any temperature or dangerous-goods requirements, the goods’ customs status in Türkiye and the intended departure documentation.

Record the Incoterms rule and named place so the parties know who pays for collection, export clearance and onward transport. The written offer should state its validity period, included charges and the circumstances that could trigger recalculation if the route or refuelling conditions change.

To arrange international road freight, send these details to SPS with the invoice and packing list. The customs procedure and document requirements should be checked through customs brokerage support before transport is booked.