IMPORT DESTINATION

Importing Into 🇹🇷 Turkey

CUSTOMS AUTHORITYMinistry of Trade — General Directorate of Customs (Gümrük ve Ticaret Bakanlığı)

STANDARD VAT20%

DE MINIMIS (USD)US$150

De Minimis Threshold

THRESHOLD (USD)

US$150

LOCAL CURRENCY

EUR 150 equivalent

Shipments below this value may enter without customs duty. VAT may still apply depending on local rules.

Turkey applies a de minimis threshold for postal and courier imports. Goods valued below EUR 150 (approximately USD 165) are exempt from customs duty. VAT (KDV) at 20% applies to all imported goods regardless of value. Turkey is not in the EU customs union despite having a Customs Union agreement with the EU for industrial goods — agricultural products and some other goods are excluded from the Customs Union.

As of: 2022-01-01

VAT / GST on Imports

20%

STANDARD VAT / GST RATE

Applied on the customs value (CIF — cost, insurance, freight) plus any applicable duties.

Required Documentation

#	Document
01	Gümrük Beyannamesi (Customs Declaration Form — electronic via BİLGE system)
02	Commercial Invoice
03	Packing List
04	Airway Bill or Bill of Lading
05	Certificate of Origin (for EU Customs Union preference or GSP preference)
06	Import Licence (for controlled goods — gold, firearms, medicines, etc.)
07	ICTA type approval (for telecommunications equipment)
08	Phytosanitary certificate (for agricultural products)

Requirements vary by shipment value, HS chapter, and origin country. Learn about each document type →

Restricted Import Categories

⚠Precious metals and jewellery — gold import rules strictly enforced (above personal use quantity requires declaration and may be restricted for commercial import)
⚠Firearms and ammunition (Police and Ministry of Interior permit required)
⚠Medicines and pharmaceuticals (Ministry of Health permit for commercial import; personal supply allowed)
⚠Electronic goods (ICTA type approval required for telecommunications equipment)
⚠Agricultural and food products (Ministry of Agriculture phytosanitary requirements)
⚠Cultural heritage goods (export restricted; import of antiquities without documentation scrutinized)
⚠Encryption software and technology

Prohibited Import Categories

✗Narcotics and controlled substances
✗Pornographic materials
✗Publications and materials against Turkish national interests or public order
✗Counterfeit goods
✗Endangered species products without CITES permits
✗Weapons and explosives without permits

Special Notes

01Turkey has a Customs Union with the EU for industrial goods (since 1996) but is not an EU member — agricultural goods, services, and some other categories are not covered.
02VAT (KDV — Katma Değer Vergisi) standard rate is 20% (raised from 18% in 2023).
03Turkey applies strict rules on gold: gold imports above personal-use quantities require Ministry of Economy permits and are subject to customs duties and strict declaration.
04Turkish currency (Turkish Lira, TRY) has experienced high inflation — USD equivalent of thresholds changes frequently.
05Electronics: Turkey requires ICTA (Information and Communication Technologies Authority) type approval for mobile phones and telecommunications equipment. Travelers bringing multiple phones may be asked about commercial intent.
06Cultural heritage: Turkey strictly prohibits the export of antiquities and scrutinizes imports of ancient artifacts. Travelers should not purchase undocumented archaeological items.
07The BİLGE (Bilgisayarlı Gümrük Etkinlikleri) system is used for customs declarations.