Turkey Used Household Goods and Personal Effects

Documents Required

• Work permit
• Detailed inventory
• Original passport
• Letter to Customs
• Tax identification number (TIN)
• Original bill of lading (OBL) / air waybill (AWB)
• Marriage certificate (non – citizens coming for marriage)
• Rental contract / property title or deed (non – citizens)
• Turkish citizenship number (non – citizens / returning citizens)
• Permanent return certificate / export declaration form (returning citizens)
• Diplomatic franchise (diplomats)
• Letter of assignment (diplomats, government officials)

Specific Information

• Only used goods may be imported.
• The detailed inventory must include a description of each item in the shipment, including the brand name and serial numbers of electrical items.
• The shipment may contain no items packed by the owner (PBO).
• The names on the passport and original bill of lading (OBL) / air waybill (AWB) must match identically.
• Customs clearance takes approximately 4 – 5 business days.
• For small air shipments entering by way of paid taxes, the owner of the goods must arrive more than 1 month prior to or 1 month after the arrival of the goods.
• The shipment must arrive no earlier than 2 months prior to owner of the goods’ arrival or no later than 6 months after the owner of the goods’ last entry into Turkey.
• For non – citizens coming to Turkey to marry, the shipment must arrive within 12 months after or 2 months prior to the marriage date; the Turkish spouse must have resided in Turkey for the 12 months preceding the marriage date.
• Non – citizens must provide a list of entry and exit dates in last 2 years from nearest police headquarters.
• For non – citizens shipping by air, a residence permit or rental contract (valid for a minimum of 24 months) must be certified by a notary or the original of the property title or deed is required for permanent import.
• There are three document options for non – citizens shipping household goods into Turkey:
  • Option 1:  The owner of the goods must present a copy of a rental contract for 12 months, certified by a notary, or an original property title / deed must presented for permanent import.
  • Option 2:  If the owner of the goods does not have a rental contract or property title / deed with a work permit for temporary import and original residence permit, a deposit must be paid of approximately 30% above the total value of the shipment or a bank guarantee letter must be provided.
  • Option 3:  If the owner of the goods does not have a rental contract, property title / deed, work permit or residence permit, the owner of the goods must pay tax if the value of the shipment exceeds1500€ for permanent import of approximately 20%.
    • The shipment must arrive within 30 days of the arrival of the owner of the goods.
  • Returning citizens must provide their spouse’s passport if they are married.
    • If they are a bachelor they must provide their ID certificate from Registry Office (Nüfus müdürlügünden vukuatlı nüfus kayit örnegi)
  • Returning citizens must provide a list of entry and exit dates in last 3 years, obtained the nearest police headquarters
  • There are four document options for returning citizens shipping household goods into Turkey:
    • Option 1:  The owner of the goods must present the original permanent return certificate from the nearest Turkish Consulate in the origin country indicating that the owner of the goods has resided in the country of origin for at least 2 years.
    • Option 2:  A copy of the export declaration form used to export the same shipment from Turkey previously.
    • Option 3:  If the owner of the goods does not have a permanent return certificate or export declaration form, taxes must be paid if the shipment exceeds 1500€ of approximately 20%.
    • Option 4:  A copy of the rental contract (minimum of 24 months), certified by a notary or an original property title / deed for permanent import is required.

Motor Vehicles

Documents Required

• Passport
• Driver’s license
• Car registration
• Bill of lading / air waybill
• Proof of insurance (card) valid in Turkey
• Carnet de passage transit book (traveling to Middle Eastern countries)
• Permanent return certificate (returning Turkish citizens)
• Copy of work permit (non – citizens coming for work)
• Original residence permit (non – citizens coming for work)
• Diplomatic import per from Turkish Ministry (foreign diplomats)
• Official assignment letters (returning Turkish diplomats / government officials)

Specific Information

• Tax as per year and  motor capacity is paid.
• Dual nationals have no right to import private car.
• Car owner must be present at customs for import application.
• Car must be less than 3 years old when it was bought at origin.
• The vehicles must arrive in Turkey 2 months prior or 6 months after owner of the goods’ last entry.
• Owners of the goods should apply for any extensions prior to the expiration of the approved period.
• S. driver’s licenses are accepted in Turkey for up to 90 days; longer stays require a notarized Turkish translation.
• If staying in Turkey for more than 12 months, a Turkish driver’s license must be obtained from the Turkish Security Directorate, Traffic Department.
• Non – citizens coming for work must provide a list of entry and exit dates in the last 2 years obtained by the police.
• Only temporary import untill expiry date of work and residence permit is possible.
• Deposit as per year and motor capacity of car is paid (non – citizens coming for work)
• Non – Citizens coming for marriage and Turkish citizens moving to Turkey without cancellation of abroad residency can not import vehicles
• Returning citizens must provide their spouse’s passport if they are married.
  • If they are a bachelor they must provide their ID certificate from Registry Office (Nüfus müdürlügünden vukuatlı nüfus kayit örnegi) 

Pets

Documents Required

• Vaccination record
• Veterinary health record

Specific Information

• Pets may enter as passenger’s accompanied baggage, in the cabin or as cargo.

Restricted/Dutiable Items

• Plants (limit of 3)
• Spirits (2 bottles of 2 x 75 ml maximum)

Prohibited Items

• Drugs
• Weapons
• Meat-based products
• Gambling machines

Consignment Instructions

Recommended:  Contact the destination agent to ensure all requirements have been met prior to import, especially for differences regarding air / sea shipments.