Foreign Trade and Investment Consultancy

In foreign trade transactions the parties are subject to different legal systems and different languages. The security of the process depends not only on contracts, proforma and commercial invoices and certificates of origin and movement being drawn up correctly, but equally on those documents being translated correctly for the counterparty and the customs authority.

At BKT we provide commercial translation for the correspondence and contract processes conducted with foreign business partners, and we plan the company, permit and staffing processes of foreign firms investing in Türkiye together with them as part of our consultancy.

Who is it for?

• Turkish companies engaged in import and export
• Foreign firms wishing to source from Türkiye
• Businesses about to sign a contract with a foreign business partner
• Foreign investors planning to invest in Türkiye
• Organisations needing translation at trade fairs and commercial delegation events
• Foreign trade departments handling correspondence with foreign suppliers and customers

Required documents

The list below is for a typical case. Additional documents may be requested depending on your nationality, the type of application and the practice of the relevant authority; the definitive list is given to you in writing at the initial consultation.

• Commercial contracts and offer documents
• Proforma and commercial invoices
• Certificate of origin and movement certificates
• Bills of lading and transport documents
• Letters of credit and bank correspondence
• Authority and activity certificates of the foreign firm (apostilled)

The process step by step

1. 1

   Needs analysis

   The type of transaction, the parties and the target market are identified, and the document and language requirements are set out.

2. 2

   Contract and paperwork

   Contracts and commercial documents are drawn up or reviewed, and their commercial translations are produced.

3. 3

   Official documents

   Where required, notarisation, apostille and consular certification processes are handled.

4. 4

   Meeting support

   Consecutive interpreting is provided at face-to-face or online meetings.

5. 5

   Investment process

   If a structure in Türkiye is required, the company, permit and staffing processes are planned.

Common mistakes

• Relying only on the foreign-language text of the contract and not checking the Turkish version
• Leaving the dispute and competent court clauses ambiguous in translation
• Translating product descriptions in customs documents with differing terms
• Accepting foreign company documents without an apostille
• Replacing delivery and payment term wording with local equivalents