Turkish Customs Regulations

The first place you visit in Turkey is not a coffee-house or Turkish bath Hamam and even not the Cathedral of St. Sophia in Istanbul. Of course, you’ll get there without a doubt... But the first place you face in Turkey is its customs. It is unlikely that you have any complications there because the Turkish customs is like the Turks in general - well-disposed and friendly. We’ll give you five tips how to pass customs in Turkey just in case.

Import regulations on cigarettes, cigars and coffee in Turkey

Try to remember or better write down on paper what you can bring into the country duty free. These standards are: cigarettes (10 packs), 50 cigars, coffee (1,5 kg) and alcoholic beverages (up to 5 liters). Just be warned there’s no much sense in doing this. Turkey is full of quality alcohol (both imported and home-made), cigarettes and coffee, of course. So, you’ll probably make the customs at Istanbul airport laugh if you try to import into the country two or three kilograms of coffee. Even if they pay any attention to you. Next are musical or computer disks. By law their number seems to be limited to five, but the cases anyone had ever checked their number are not registered for the last ten years. And personal belongings, of course. You may carry them to Turkey as much as you want.

Weapons and drugs

The only thing the Turkish customs REALLY draws attention to are drugs and weapons. And if the second needs a special permit, the first is outside the law in any case. The country’s legislation on drugs is very severe, including import. So you’d better not even risk. You’re not going to be in jail for fifteen years at best, are you?

Import regulations on jewelry and valuable items

To carry gold and jewels in Turkey has the same meaning as to carry coffee and cigarettes. It has no meaning at all. After all, Turkey is famous for its cheap and high quality jewelry which tourists usually buy. But if you suddenly wish to walk in Istanbul in the evening in your favorite necklace left by your grandmother, then take it. Do not forget to declare expensive jewelry (over 15 thousand dollars) FOR ENTRY. On the way back you will show the declaration and quietly leave. That;s why you should keep all the checks for purchases at Turkish stores – only if it is a very expensive purchase. For example, carpets, precious jewelry starting from 15 thousand dollars and so on.

Import regulations on cash money in Turkey

Money is the only thing worth carrying with you to Turkey. After all, this country is ideal for shopping. It means you’ll need the currency. It is better to take dollars – they have the same value as the Turkish lira in many places in Turkey. Or euro which makes it easy to exchange in any exchange office. The cash which can be imported into the country without a declaration is limited to 5 thousand dollars (in any equivalent) per person. Have more? No problems, fill the declaration and you’re welcome! You can also export no more than 5 thousand dollars out of Turkey without declaration. If we are talking about checks, cards, etc. - all this is of no interest for customs. Even if you have a million. You will still cash checks in Turkey.

And the last tip. Behave yourself just as the customs inspectors of Turkey. That means, be friendly and well disposed to people.