As is known until today Turkish transporters are subjected to unfair treatment under the name of “fuel price difference” by Iran. As a result Turkey lost a significant part of market share because of high charges which are taken from the Turkish transporters whether or not they procure the fuel from Iran.
 
Despite all the goodwill shown by Turkey to Iranian transporters until today to compete under equal conditions, unfair measures had been adopted and our solution attempts were left unanswered at numerous bilateral meetings.
 
Weakening the competitive position of the Turkish transport sector and raising the cost of transport, this practice has negative implications on transportation not only to Iran, but also to Central Asian countries.  Because of these negative implications, the Ministry of Transport, Maritime Affairs and Communication of Turkey officials stated to Iranian counterparts that the “fuel differential price” practice needed to be stopped; otherwise, based on the “reciprocity principle” the same practice would be applied by the Turkish officials to Iranian vehicles.
 
Upon inaction by the Iranian officials, on October 10^th, 2014 Turkish side has started charging the “fuel differential price” to Iranian transport operators based on the same formula. 
 
Currently, there is a risk of delays at both sides of Turkey and Iran (Gurbulak/Bazargan Border Crossing Points) as well as at other border crossing points in Turkey with other countries (e.g. Kapikule), affecting transport operations between Central Asia, Middle East and Europe through relevant routes, until a permanent solution to the ongoing disagreement is found.

International Transporters Association