You already know the advantages Turkey offers Austrian companies: a 30–45% cost advantage, the Customs Union, 3–5-day road freight and German-speaking technical contacts. This article explains step by step how Austrian companies, from Linz to Graz and from Vienna to Vorarlberg, place the first order in practice.

Step 1: Prepare the Technical Documents

Austrian drawings are prepared to ÖNORM EN ISO / DIN standards and are read without difficulty in Turkey; German notes are understood in export-oriented Turkish workshops, but an English equivalent of critical notes prevents errors. The ideal package:

  • STEP (AP214) 3D model + PDF technical drawing; revision (Index) must match.
  • Material by Werkstoffnummer or EN short name (1.0503 / C45E, 1.7225 / 42CrMo4, 1.4404, EN AW-6082, CW614N). Write the standard grade next to brand names such as Böhler.
  • General tolerance (ISO 2768-mK) in the title block; geometric tolerances with their datums.
  • Surface roughness (Rz is common in Austria; also stating the Ra equivalent makes things easier), edge break, heat treatment, coating.
  • Annual quantity, batch size, first-order quantity and target date.
  • Documentation expectations: Messprotokoll, EN 10204 3.1 certificate, EMPB, PPAP/VDA 2 if required.

Step 2: Request and Compare Quotes

Send the RFQ to 2–3 Turkish suppliers; compare the quotes item by item: unit price (quantity tiers), set-up costs/programming, certificate, inspection report, packaging, Incoterm and lead time. The "Skonto" (early-payment discount) common in Austria is not standard in Turkish quotes; state it in the RFQ if you want it. A supplier who sends DFM/tolerance recommendations with the quote is showing process discipline. For the method see our RFQ guide.

Step 3: Clarify the Commercial Terms

Incoterms

FCA Istanbul (your own forwarder collects; economical for high-volume buyers) or DAP (the Turkish supplier brings the goods to your door; the import declaration and VAT are yours; simple for first orders). Avoid EXW. Details are in our Incoterms guide.

Payment

In Austria 30 days net (or 14 days with 2% Skonto) is common. On export sales Turkish suppliers work with a partial advance payment (30–50%) + balance before shipment on first orders and 30 days open account in a regular relationship. Euro-based SEPA/SWIFT transfer is standard (Turkish banks are outside SEPA; a transfer takes 1–2 working days).

Contract and confidentiality

A German or English Geheimhaltungsvereinbarung (NDA) and Qualitätssicherungsvereinbarung (QSV) are sufficient; Turkish exporters are used to both languages. The governing law and place of dispute resolution should be specified.

Step 4: Sample and First Article Approval (EMPB)

On the first order, request 1–5 sample pieces and an Erstmusterprüfbericht (EMPB) based on a ballooned drawing; for automotive suppliers a PPF/PPAP file in VDA 2 format, for general machinery an EMPB is sufficient. Verify the report with your own measurement; series production starts after approval (Freigabe). For the process see our FAI/EMPB guide and our PPAP article.

Step 5: Logistics, Customs and Import

  • Road: 3–5 working days door to door from Istanbul to Vienna, Linz or Graz via Hungary or Slovenia; there are numerous weekly groupage services on the Turkey–Austria route.
  • Air freight: Istanbul–Vienna 1–2 days; express courier 2–3 days for small samples.
  • Customs duty: parts enter duty-free under the A.TR movement certificate; no rule of origin is required. Our A.TR guide has the document details.
  • Einfuhrumsatzsteuer (EUSt): 20% Austrian VAT arises on import. Instead of paying the EUSt at customs, VAT-registered companies can have it booked to their tax account (Steuerkonto) and offset it in the VAT return (the deferral under UStG § 26/3); it is enough to instruct your forwarder "EUSt über Steuerkonto". This way there is no cash outflow.
  • Declaration: the forwarder files the import declaration with your EORI number; commercial invoice, packing list, A.TR and CMR are sufficient.

Step 6: Series Deliveries and Continuous Improvement

The Rahmenvertrag + Abrufe (call-off order) pattern is common; Turkish suppliers adapt to monthly or weekly call-offs. A Messprotokoll and 3.1 certificate accompany every batch; order and part numbers match on the Lieferschein. After the first 2–3 batches, delivery performance and PPM data can be shared for the Lieferantenbewertung (supplier evaluation). A material-indexed rule should be defined for the annual price update.

Common Mistakes

  • Paying the EUSt in cash at customs; deferral via the Steuerkonto protects cash flow.
  • Giving only Rz and leaving room for the supplier to confuse it with Ra; state the parameter explicitly.
  • Specifying the material by brand name only (e.g. just "Böhler M303"); add the standard grade.
  • Raising the Skonto expectation after the quote; state it in the RFQ.
  • Giving series approval without verifying the EMPB; compare with your own measurement.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I send technical drawings in German?

Yes; German technical terms are known in export-oriented Turkish workshops. An English equivalent of critical notes is still recommended.

How much time should I plan for the first order?

Quote 1–2 days, sample 1–3 weeks, series 3–5 weeks after approval, freight 3–5 days: the first series batch is typically in your hands in 6–9 weeks.

How does the process work in case of a complaint?

Notification with photos and measurement evidence, an 8D report, re-production or Gutschrift (credit note); defined in writing in the QSV. Re-supply by road is possible in 3–5 days.

Do I need to visit the supplier in Turkey?

Not mandatory; a same-day audit is possible with the 2.5-hour direct flight Vienna–Istanbul. A visit before the first series or once a year strengthens the relationship.

Conclusion

Outsourcing CNC machining from Austria to Turkey is a predictable process consisting of the right file package, an itemised quote, sample approval with an EMPB and an import simplified by A.TR + EUSt deferral. Send your technical drawings and quantity information via our quote form; you will receive an itemised, euro-based quote within 24 hours. For the process steps see our how we work page.