Upgrade Your Status, Stand Out in Competition
GGM provides holistic consultancy services for companies in their process of obtaining the Approved Person Status (OKS) certificate, covering regulatory compliance, internal control systems, and operational competence criteria.
The OKS application process is not merely the acquisition of a certificate; it is a comprehensive authorization process that requires the company’s level of compliance with customs legislation, financial solvency, record-keeping structure, and internal control mechanisms to be structured in a sustainable manner. Within this framework, we analyze your company’s current status, plan the necessary structural improvements, and manage the process end to end.
What Is Approved Person Status (OKS)?
Approved Person Status is a privileged status granted to companies that meet the reliability, traceability, financial solvency, and commercial compliance criteria determined within the scope of customs legislation.
This status certifies the company’s reliability before public authorities and brings various procedural facilitations in foreign trade transactions.
Who Can Become an Approved Person?
To obtain Approved Person Status, companies must meet the following criteria:
- Having been actively operating in Türkiye, excluding free zones, for at least two years.
- Not having seriously violated customs and foreign trade legislation; not having been involved in serious financial crimes or crimes threatening national security.
- Having no finalized tax, social security premium, or customs penalty debt.
- Carrying out actual exports amounting to at least 2 million USD FOB annually, or actual exports amounting to at least 1 million USD FOB together with a total foreign trade volume of at least 7 million USD; and having an annual average of at least 30 insured employees.
Manufacturers, exporters, and importers that meet these criteria may apply and qualify for Approved Person Status.
Important Notes
- If the applicant company was established under the Turkish Commercial Code through transfer, merger, or partial division, the requirement of “having actually operated for at least two years” is not sought.
- The requirement to employ 30 workers does not apply to group exporters and group importers; the total number of insured employees of group companies is taken into account.
- For foreign trade capital companies and sectoral foreign trade companies, the export-import volume and 30-worker employment requirements are not sought.
- Manufacturers may apply, provided that they are registered in the document approved by their affiliated exporters’ associations, if they carry out their transactions through a group exporter, sectoral foreign trade company, or foreign trade capital company.
Authorizations and Facilitations Provided by OKS Status
- Opportunity for priority evaluation in customs procedures
- Reduced document and physical inspection rates
- Operational speed in declaration and control processes
- Time and cost advantages in export and import transactions
- Reliable company status before official authorities
- Corporate reputation and competitive advantage in international trade
Scope of the OKS Process and Risk Areas
The OKS application process includes multidimensional obligations such as;
- Meeting financial solvency criteria
- Establishing a regular and traceable accounting/record-keeping system
- Creating internal control and risk management mechanisms
- Documenting full compliance with legislation in customs procedures
- Ensuring that the archive and documentation system complies with standards
Incomplete or incorrectly structured applications may cause the process to be prolonged, lead to additional inspections, or result in a negative application outcome. Therefore, technical preparation and command of legislation are critically important.
Scope of Our Consultancy Service
As Gürdal Customs Consultancy, we;
- Carry out the company’s current status analysis,
- Technically evaluate its level of compliance with OKS criteria,
- Create an action plan for identified deficiencies,
- Structure internal processes and control mechanisms in compliance with legislation,
- Prepare the application file completely and systematically,
- Coordinate the inspection process and represent the company,
- Finalize the certification process and establish a sustainable compliance infrastructure.
Our Service Methodology
Pre-Compliance and Risk Analysis
The company’s financial, operational, and administrative structure is evaluated in line with legislative criteria.
Structural Compliance Process
Internal control systems, record-keeping structure, and procedures are aligned with OKS requirements.
Preparation and Submission of the Application File
All required information and documents are prepared within the framework of technical competence and submitted to the relevant authorities.
Inspection Management and Coordination
Preparations are made before the on-site inspection, and the inspection process is managed professionally.
Certification and Sustainability Monitoring
After the OKS certificate is obtained, monitoring and consultancy support is provided to maintain the status.
We stand by your side with our expert team to structure your OKS process securely, benefit from simplified practices in your customs procedures, optimize your costs, and increase your transaction speed.
