EN
Request a quote

Transit trade

The product goes directly from manufacturer to buyer. The trade is managed from Istanbul.

Transit trade means buying goods abroad and selling them to a third country without importing them into Türkiye. On this page we explain how the model works for healthcare products, which documents it relies on and what needs attention.

  • EXW
  • FCA
  • FOB
  • CIF
  • CIP
  • DAP
Manufacturer's countryManufacturer / authorised distributor
SUNVERA · IstanbulContract · documents · payment
Buyer's countryHospital / distributor / importer
  • Flow of goods (direct)
  • Flow of documents and payment

How the model works

SUNVERA buys the product in its own name from the manufacturer or the manufacturer's authorised distributor and sells it in its own name to the buyer. This creates two separate contracts: a purchase contract with the supplier and a sales contract with the buyer.

The goods are shipped directly from the warehouse, airport or port in the manufacturer's country to the destination in the buyer's country. Where the route requires it, bonded warehouses or free zones in Türkiye can serve as intermediate stops; even then, the goods are not imported into Türkiye.

Transit trade transactions are subject to foreign exchange regulations, bank practices and the foreign trade rules of the countries involved. The structure of each transaction is agreed together once the parties and the product are known.

What the buyer gains

One point of contact: one contract, one invoice and one document file instead of separate correspondence with several manufacturers in different countries. For a distributor that registers products in its own country, this simplifies purchase tracking.

Time and shelf life: because the goods do not stop in an unnecessary country, transit time is shorter. For products with limited shelf life, this means more usable life left in the buyer's hands.

Balanced payment: the letter of credit, documentary collection or advance payment structure is set according to the size of the transaction and how well the parties know each other.

What the manufacturer gains

Access to a new market without setting up a company there and without carrying the collection risk alone. Orders, payment and document correspondence go through a single point of contact.

Documents prepared in the form the destination country expects. Before shipment, we agree together which documents need an apostille, consular legalisation or sworn translation.

Transit trade in healthcare

Four sensitive points that ordinary goods do not have

The real manufacturer stays visible

In transit trade, the sales invoice is issued by SUNVERA. The actual manufacturer shown on the label, the declaration of conformity and the certificate of analysis does not change. Hiding manufacturer information is not possible for healthcare products, and we would not consider it right either.

Language of labels and instructions for use

Many countries require labels and instructions for use (IFU) in their official language. This requirement is agreed with the manufacturer at the order stage; relabelling afterwards is only possible at authorised facilities and in line with the regulations.

Shelf life requirement

Buyers often require a minimum percentage or period of remaining shelf life at delivery. We write this requirement into the contract and check it lot by lot before loading.

Switch B/L and traceability

Reissuing the bill of lading (switch B/L) can help protect commercial confidentiality between the parties. However, lot and serial numbers, origin and manufacturer details remain on the documents for traceability.

Documents

The document file for a healthcare product shipment

  1. 01

    Proforma invoice and contract

    Product description, model or catalogue number, quantity, unit price, delivery terms, shelf life requirement and payment terms.

  2. 02

    Commercial invoice

    Issued separately for purchase and sale. Lot or serial numbers and expiry dates appear on the invoice or its annex.

  3. 03

    Packing list

    Net and gross weights and dimensions per carton and pallet, lot breakdown and markings on temperature-sensitive cartons.

  4. 04

    Transport document

    Air waybill (AWB) for air freight, bill of lading (B/L) for sea freight, CMR for road. Where needed, the bill of lading is reissued (switch B/L).

  5. 05

    Certificate of origin

    Shows the country where the product was made. Required in the destination country for customs duties, preferential regimes and some public tenders.

  6. 06

    Product conformity documents

    Declaration of conformity, Notified Body certificate, quality management system certificate and, where required, Certificate of Free Sale. Details are on our compliance page.

  7. 07

    Analysis and temperature records

    Certificate of analysis (CoA) per lot and, for cold chain shipments, the data logger printout. These are the first documents the buyer checks at goods receipt.

  8. 08

    Insurance policy

    Issued for CIF or CIP deliveries or at the buyer's request. For temperature-sensitive products, we also check whether the policy covers temperature excursions.

Delivery terms

Which Incoterms 2020 rule, and when

EXW

Ex Works

Goods are delivered at the manufacturer's premises; export formalities and transport are for the buyer. Suitable for distributors with their own logistics network, but it must be agreed in advance who will file the export declaration.

FCA

Free Carrier

Goods are handed over to the buyer's carrier at an agreed point. A practical choice for air cargo and container shipments when the buyer works with its own forwarder.

FOB

Free On Board

Used only for sea and inland waterway transport. Common for bulky loads that are not temperature-sensitive, such as hospital beds, wheelchairs or hygiene products.

CIF

Cost, Insurance and Freight

Sea freight and minimum-cover insurance are for the seller; risk passes when the goods are loaded on board. Relevant for conventional sea cargo; for containerised cargo, CIP is more suitable.

CIP

Carriage and Insurance Paid To

Used for any mode of transport; carriage and broad-cover insurance are for the seller. Often chosen for high-value devices sent by air cargo and for cold chain products.

DAP

Delivered at Place

Goods are delivered at an agreed place in the buyer's country, ready for unloading and not cleared for import. Suitable when the buyer, as authorisation holder, handles customs clearance itself.

Payment

Payment structures

Letter of credit (L/C)

The buyer's bank undertakes to pay when documents are presented in line with the terms of the credit. Preferred for first transactions and large amounts. In transit transactions, transferable or back-to-back letters of credit can be used.

Documentary collection (CAD)

Documents are released to the buyer through the banks against payment. The buyer cannot clear the goods from customs without the documents. A balanced option for parties who know each other.

Advance and partial advance payment

A deposit at order, with the balance before or after loading. Used for samples, small orders and orders with short delivery times.

Do you have a requirements list?

Share the product, model or specification, quantity, destination country and required documents. We will work out the sourcing options and shipment plan with you.