Bunkers, Turkey, Customs, ports, ships Home Publications Articles Turkey – Undeclared bunker cases at Turkish ports Turkey – Undeclared bunker cases at Turkish ports Publications Steamship Mutual Published: February 24, 2020 Contact author Download article pdf Image Club Correspondents Metropole Maritime & Trading of Turkey have notified the Club of a recent trend in Turkey that will be of interest to members trading in the region. Undeclared/excess bunker issues are pursued by Turkish Customs Officials when there is difference between the bunker quantity declared in the vessel’s tanks upon arrival at a port, and the quantity calculated by Customs Officials as a result of their bunker survey on board . The exact quantity of bunkers in vessel’s tanks is then ascertained by an independent surveyor authorised by Customs Officials whose figures are used in Customs’ indictment. In the event of undeclared/excess bunkers, the excess quantity is then confiscated by an order of the Court and statements of the Master and Chief Engineer are taken. This is standard procedure followed by Customs Officials and such cases develop as detailed below; A. COURSE OF EVENTS Upon arrival at a Turkish port, Customs Officials board vessels to search for illegal and prohibited goods. Bunkers on board is also within the scope of this search and commonly, the bunker survey is carried out by Customs Officials in the presence of the Chief Engineer to check the accuracy of the declared bunkers. In the event that the figures revealed as a result of the bunker survey performed by Customs Officials differ from the figures declared by the vessel indicating the possibility of excess (undeclared) bunkers in vessel’s tanks, then the Customs Officials proceed to arrange an independent bunker survey for ascertaining the exact quantity of bunkers on board. In such a case, vessel interests are informed of the case through the local agent and their participation is summoned. The result of the independen