The US has raised the additional customs duty on many food products imported from Türkiye that are not on the exemption list to 12.5%. Under the measure that took effect on July 24, 2026, the Turkish products concerned will enter the US with an additional 12.5% duty on top of the regular customs duties.
Products affected by the duty
The new tariff covers Türkiye’s leading export products, including olive oil, table olives, hazelnuts, dried figs, dried apricots, raisins, pasta, biscuits, confectionery and tomato paste.
The increase in the additional duty from the previous temporary rate of 10% to 12.5% has intensified cost pressures on Turkish exporters. Exporters are expected either to absorb the higher costs or pass them on to shelf prices in the US.
Competitive advantage may decline
In either case, Turkish products may lose some of their price advantage over goods from competing countries. For products from the European Union, the regular duty and the new additional duty together reach 10%, while Tunisia is not among the countries subject to the new additional tariff.
This difference could make it even more difficult for Turkish food exporters to compete in the US market.
Exempt products
Tea, many spices, fresh tomatoes and certain types of orange juice have been exempted from the new additional duty. Standard customs duties may continue to apply to these products.
To help Turkish producers maintain their competitiveness in the US market, the Ministry of Trade and relevant institutions should begin talks with the US on tariff reductions and product-specific exemptions.
