For a buyer looking to import hard shell (such as hazelnut or apricot kernel) or biomass fuel from Türkiye, the process runs through six steps: finding the right supplier, agreeing on a sample if needed, setting the delivery term (FOB or CIF), preparing origin and export paperwork, choosing a payment method, and tracking the shipment. This piece walks a first-time importer from Türkiye through what to watch for at each of these six steps, in order.

Why Türkiye?

A significant share of world production of products like hazelnut and apricot comes from Türkiye; that means by-products such as hazelnut shell and apricot kernel shell can be sourced from a regular, steady source. In regions with heavy agricultural processing, these by-products come out at a certain volume year-round, which gives an advantage in source continuity for export-oriented supply. Türkiye’s geography — short sea distance to European, Middle Eastern and North African ports — also shortens delivery time on container shipments.

This advantage holds on both the shell and biomass-fuel side. On the shell side, calibre variety (whole, cracked, ground, granule) lets the buyer choose a form suited to their own equipment; on the biomass-fuel side, the continuity of processing facilities makes it easier for the buyer to plan year-round supply without depending on a single harvest period. That said, abundance of source alone isn’t enough — what really matters is finding a supplier who can collect and process this by-product at consistent quality and manage the export process end to end.

Choosing the Right Supplier

The first step is finding not the source itself but the company that can supply that source regularly and consistently. A supplier providing samples, ensuring batch-to-batch quality consistency, coordinating origin paperwork, and offering a single point of contact through the order process are among the most reliable signs of a long-term import relationship. Buyers wanting to assess these criteria in more depth can check our supplier-selection guide.

Sample and Agreement

Once a supplier is chosen, especially on serious-volume first orders, a sample can be agreed on before ordering. A sample matching the requested form and calibre can be sent to the importer by courier or freight; the buyer can test this sample at their own facility or an independent laboratory. Once agreement is reached on the sample, having the large batch prepared from the same source and through the same control steps as the sample ensures the goods received match what the importer expects.

Delivery Terms: FOB or CIF?

The next thing to settle is the delivery term. For buyers with their own freight arrangements or who work regularly with a forwarder, FOB is generally the more flexible option — they organize freight and insurance through their own network and keep logistics control in their hands. For first-time importers or buyers who want to budget on a single total-cost basis, CIF — where freight and insurance are organized by the seller — can be a more practical option. Container count and the weight/volume balance are also planned with the supplier at this stage. We covered the difference in liability and risk-sharing between the two delivery terms in detail in our FOB and CIF comparison.

Paperwork: Certificate of Origin and Export Documents

Complete commercial paperwork matters for a smooth customs process. The standard document flow works as follows:

Certificate of Origin: Required for customs procedures and any preferential trade agreements in the importing country, this document shows the product is of Türkiye origin.
Bill of Lading and commercial invoice: Issued once the shipment is complete, and a standard part of the process regardless of delivery terms.

Settling who prepares this paperwork, and at what stage, before the order avoids delays that can arise during shipment. For buyers importing from Türkiye for the first time, having a single point of contact handle this coordination — not having to chase the certificate of origin from one institution and other shipment paperwork from another separately — is the biggest time-saver in the process.

Payment

Payment method is the last item to settle alongside delivery terms and paperwork flow. Between importers and exporters working with T/T (bank transfer), a certain percentage is generally paid upfront on order confirmation, with the rest paid before shipment or against documents. When a Letter of Credit is preferred, the documents requested in the L/C text (bill of lading, insurance policy if any, commercial invoice) are directly tied to the delivery term; that’s why discussing payment method and delivery term together at the very start of the agreement heads off document mismatches that can surface later.

Tracking the Shipment

Once shipment begins, the buyer’s priority is being able to track which stage the container is at between the port of departure and the port of arrival, and the estimated arrival date. When the bill-of-lading number and shipping line details are shared along with the shipment, the buyer can plan their own customs and inland distribution accordingly. Being able to get current information from a single point of contact in the event of any delay or route change is a detail that improves process predictability, especially for importers in distant markets.

Next Step

Importing hard shell or biomass fuel from Türkiye is a predictable process when the right order is followed: supplier, sample, delivery term, paperwork, payment and shipment tracking — each step clarifying on top of the last. You can check which product group you’d like to work with on our products page, and learn about Yelisan Group’s export capacity and way of working on the about us page. Just write to us for a product quote or the delivery term suited to your target market.