2025 Russia-Turkey Trade Money Transfer and Payment Methods: How to Overcome the Crisis?

While the trade volume between Turkey and Russia is increasing day by day, the biggest obstacle faced by exporters and importers has become not logistics, but financial transfers. Especially recently, due to the increasing sanctions (secondary sanctions), the "over-compliance" attitude of Turkish banks towards payments originating from Russia has put many traders in a difficult situation. So, has trade stopped? No. It has only changed methods.

As RFCONS, we have compiled the current payment methods that we experience and manage in the field every day in our Irkutsk-based operations for you.

1. What is the Source of the Problem?

Why do transactions that used to be resolved with a single Swift message now take weeks? The problem is not just the removal of Russian banks from the Swift system. The main problem is that Turkish banks, due to pressure from the US and the EU, are making transactions difficult when accepting money from Russia, fearing, "Is this money coming from a sanctioned product?" Therefore, compliance has become more important than the money transfer itself.

2. Solution: Trading with Rubles

While dollar and euro transfers have become almost impossible, trading with Rubles (RUB) stands out as the most reliable route. • How it Works? In Türkiye, a Ruble account is opened at certain banks (or periodically changing banks) such as Emlak Katılım. The buyer in Russia makes a direct Ruble transfer from their own bank. • Advantage: Since the correspondent bank (intermediary American bank) is eliminated, the money is not held up and goes directly into the account. Caution: When exporting with Rubles, it is critically important that the customs declaration (CDP) and invoice are prepared in Rubles or indexed to the payment currency. Otherwise, exchange rate losses and accounting problems may occur. 3. Alternative Banks and Local Solutions

Large private banks (we won't name names, but the most well-known ones) may have completely stopped transactions with Russia. However, there are still public banks and participation banks in Türkiye that work with Russia.

As RFCONS, we constantly monitor which bank is currently operating smoothly, based on our clients' sector (Textile, Food, Machinery, etc.) and transaction volume. Because Bank A might accept a food payment but reject a machine part. Choosing the right bank is 50% of the process.

4. Transit Trade and Third Countries

While transfers through Turkic Republics (Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, etc.) may seem like an option when direct transfers are blocked, they are risky. • Commission rates are very high (between 3% and 6%).

• As the number of links in the money transfer chain increases, the risk of the money "getting stuck/freezing" increases. We only recommend this method in very necessary cases and with reliable partners. 5. What Do We Do as RFCONS?

"The money will come one way or another" mentality can result in your goods being held at Russian customs and your money sitting in a bank pool. We offer more than just classic consulting; we provide financial operations management:

• Contract Preparation: We prepare contracts in Russian, English, and Turkish, including relevant clauses, in a format acceptable to banks. • Bank Matching: We test in advance whether your company and the buyer's bank in Russia can "communicate." • Customs Integration: We verify the compatibility of money transfers with customs documents.

Want to reduce payment risks to zero in your trade with Russia? Consult with our expert.

Conclusion

Opportunities in the Russian market never end, they just change form. Thanks to our headquarters being in Russia, we monitor changing banking regulations in real time.

Don't risk your money and your trade. With the right method, the right documents, and the right bank, trading is easier than you think.