Turkish customs may consider any excess bunkers found onboard compared to the quantities declared as “smuggling”. This can result in delays, fines, and even criminal charges against members of a vessel’s crew, according to P&I, marine and energy insurance provider Gard, citing information from its correspondent.

Random customs inspections are once again on the rise, Gard said, and any discovery of more bunkers onboard than the amount declared may be treated as a criminal act under the Turkish Anti-Smuggling Law No. 5607 Article 3.

“Once a bunker discrepancy has been established by customs, the authorities will order the confiscation of the smuggled goods, which in practical terms means that the vessel’s surplus bunkers will have to be discharged before departure.

“Furthermore, the person who smuggled goods into the country, i.e. the master and/or chief officer, may face criminal charges and risk being sentenced to several years in prison plus monetary sanctions,” Gard’s correspondent added.

Gard warns that operators and masters of vessels bound for Turkish ports to be particularly vigilant and attentive when completing the customs declaration.

It is crucial that the remaining fuel oil onboard is carefully measured and calculated before being declared to Turkish customs.

Furthermore, all relevant crew members should be informed about the issue of undeclared bunkers in Turkish ports and the serious consequences that can result from discrepancies in the figures.

All the required documents should be prepared in advance, prior to arriving in port, and double-checked that all is in order.

It is critical to ensure that all consumables onboard, including bunkers, have been correctly listed in the proper declaration form. As it is reported by Gard, the accuracy of all numbers is crucial.

In the event that a calculation error leads to the vessel’s master and/or chief officer being charged with smuggling of petroleum products, the correspondent recommends that they clearly state, both verbally and in writing, that the excess bunkers was not the result of a deliberate act.

Over the years, Gard’s Turkish correspondents have warned vessel operators that customs officers may unexpectedly and randomly show up to inspect vessels in Turkish ports, particularly looking for discrepancies between declared bunker quantities and the measurements taken by the attending officers.

Source: Gard. For more information pls see here.