Copper buyers in Turkey

Copper in Turkey

Turkey mines copper in the Black Sea region and the south-east, but its fabricators use much more than it mines. The industry, centred around Istanbul, Kocaeli and the wider Marmara region, makes rod, wire, cable, brass and tube for home use and export. That makes Turkey a large buyer of cathode and scrap.

Who buys and what they need

• Rod and cable makers buy cathode, usually LME brand or an approved equivalent, and clean scrap such as millberry.
• Brass and tube makers buy a wide range of scrap.
• Smelters buy concentrate.
• Traders buy for resale.

Turkish buyers usually want photographs and video of the actual lot, independent inspection at loading, and a clear contract. Payment is often by LC or cash against documents. Many buyers have long relationships with suppliers and will start with a trial lot.

Import rules at a high level

Metal scrap imports are controlled for environmental protection. Importers need a metal scrap importer certificate from the Ministry of Environment, Urbanisation and Climate Change, and shipments are inspected on import. Cathode and concentrate are imported under normal customs rules. Copper scrap exports from Turkey need a licence.

Check that your buyer holds the right certificate before you ship scrap, and confirm current rules with their customs broker.

Ask for the country of origin of all metal and screen counterparties. Russian-origin metal faces UK and US import bans and is not accepted by the LME if produced after 13 April 2024.

Scams to watch for

• Fake buyers who send an LOI and then ask for fees.
• Scrap mis-described as millberry. See copper scrap grades.
• Shipments to a buyer without a scrap importer certificate, which can be stuck at port.
• Edited bank letters used to show funds.

Finding verified buyers and sellers in Turkey

Turkish buyers want steady supply from sellers who can show what they have. On Copper Supply sellers can post an offer once, and buyers can see what has been checked.

• Free to join and to post. Post a buying requirement or a selling offer. Every listing is checked automatically for fraud signs before it goes live, and stays live for 90 days.
• Every member passes an ID check (ID document and liveness) before they can message anyone or accept an introduction. Companies can be checked against their official registry. Badges show exactly what was checked.
• You choose who you talk to. A member asks for an introduction to your listing. You see their profile and what was checked, and you decide.
• The right people see it fast. Members who trade that product get an email within minutes of a new listing, and every Monday all members get a market report of every live buyer and seller.
• Deal rooms keep the NCNDA, LOI or ICPO, offers, SPA, IMFPA, documents and e-signatures in one private room. A broker who brings buyer and seller together is protected for 2 years on the platform.
• Check papers before you act. Run an SKR, SPA, COA, certificate of origin or bank letter through the document fraud check. The first check is free.

Copper Supply never holds trade money and takes no commission on deals. Before you deal with anyone, search the public scam list.