🇹🇷 Turkey
MIDDLE EAST
Ministry of Trade — General Directorate of Customs (Gümrük ve Ticaret Bakanlığı)
20%
Duty-Free Allowances
| Category | Allowance |
|---|---|
| Alcohol | 1L |
| Cigarettes | 400 |
| Personal goods value | US$430 |
| Travelers arriving in Turkey may import duty-free: 1L of spirits or 2L of wine or beer (17+), 400 cigarettes or 50 cigars or 250g tobacco (17+). Merchandise (gifts and personal effects): USD $430 (approximately EUR 430) worth of goods per traveler. Turkish residents returning from abroad may import a single personal laptop duty-free. Additional personal goods are assessed at a flat rate. Commercial quantities of goods require formal import procedures. | |
Travelers arriving in Turkey may import duty-free: 1L of spirits or 2L of wine or beer (17+), 400 cigarettes or 50 cigars or 250g tobacco (17+). Merchandise (gifts and personal effects): USD $430 (approximately EUR 430) worth of goods per traveler. Turkish residents returning from abroad may import a single personal laptop duty-free. Additional personal goods are assessed at a flat rate. Commercial quantities of goods require formal import procedures.
Cash Declaration Threshold
US$10,000
Local currency equivalent: TRY
Travelers carrying cash, traveler's cheques, or negotiable instruments above this threshold must declare them at customs on arrival.
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.