For distributors in Europe, the Balkans, the Middle East and North Africa, Turkey is a natural source of disposable medical and hygiene supplies: examination table covers, dental bibs and tray covers, swabs and single-sachet wet wipes are produced at scale and shipped by road, sea or air. Finding a manufacturer is only the first step, though. This checklist covers what to settle before your first order — product definition, regulatory status, documents, labelling, packaging and lead time — so that the first shipment clears customs and reaches your warehouse without surprises.
Why distributors source disposables from Turkey
- Proximity: road freight reaches most of Europe and the Middle East in days rather than weeks.
- Customs union with the EU: industrial products and processed agricultural products move between Türkiye and the EU under the customs union, with an A.TR movement certificate as proof of customs status (European Commission, Access2Markets).
- Manufacturers, not only traders: many products can be made to your specification and under your own brand.
1. Define the product first
Most problems with a first order come from a loose specification. Before requesting quotes, write down for each item:
- Size (e.g. couch roll width and length, bib dimensions, sachet size)
- Material and construction (paper weight, number of plies, film backing, laminated or not)
- Pack format (pieces per roll or pack, rolls per carton)
- Colour and print (plain, standard print or your logo)
- Intended use and target customer (clinics, dental depots, pharmacies, retail)
RENASAN’s product pages give these details for each range — for example examination table covers, dental patient bibs and hygienic wet wipes. Our supplier qualification guide explains how to compare samples against this specification.
2. Confirm the regulatory status in your market
The same product can be classified differently from one country to another: as a medical device, a cosmetic, a biocidal product or a general hygiene article. The classification decides which documents, registrations and labels you need. As the importer or distributor you are usually responsible for placing the product on your market, so confirm the status with your regulator or consultant before ordering, and agree with the manufacturer which documents (technical data sheets, safety data sheets, certificates) they will provide.
3. Shipping documents
- Commercial invoice and packing list — product descriptions, quantities, net/gross weights and carton counts should match exactly.
- A.TR movement certificate for shipments to the EU — it proves the goods’ customs-union status. It is not a certificate of preferential origin.
- Origin documents for other markets — whether you need a certificate of origin or another proof of origin depends on the agreement between your country and Türkiye. Check with your customs broker.
- Tariff classification — agree the HS code for each item with your customs broker before the first shipment, so that the invoice and your import declaration match.
Import VAT and any national charges in your country still apply.
4. Labelling and private label artwork
If you sell under your own brand, plan the artwork early. Confirm the label language(s) required in your market, mandatory information (manufacturer or importer details, lot number, dates where applicable), carton markings and barcodes. RENASAN offers private label manufacturing and prepares product, packaging and content information in English. Approve a printed proof before mass production.
5. Cartons, pallets and lead time
- Agree carton dimensions and pieces per carton so you can calculate pallet and container loads.
- Ask for pallet configuration (cartons per layer, layers per pallet) for road freight.
- Agree the Incoterm (e.g. EXW, FCA, CIF, DAP) and who arranges freight and insurance.
- Confirm production lead time separately from transit time, and plan your reorder point around both.
6. From samples to repeat orders
- Samples: test against your specification and, if needed, with a few end customers.
- Trial order: a smaller first order checks documents, packaging and transit before you commit volume.
- Repeat orders: lock the specification (sizes, materials, artwork version) so every repeat order matches the approved sample.
Frequently asked questions
Do goods from Turkey pay customs duty in the EU?
Industrial products in free circulation move between Türkiye and the EU under the customs union, accompanied by an A.TR movement certificate. Import VAT and national charges still apply; confirm the details for your products with your customs broker.
Is an A.TR a certificate of origin?
No. The A.TR proves the customs status of goods within the EU–Türkiye customs union, not their preferential origin.
Can you produce under our own brand?
Yes. RENASAN manufactures selected products under the customer’s brand; minimum quantities and lead times are confirmed in the quotation.
Work with a manufacturer that exports
RENASAN has manufactured disposable medical hygiene products in Ankara since 1967 and exports to 25+ countries. See our export page or send your product list and destination country through our contact page for a quotation.