TRAVEL GUIDE

The Ministry of Trade has implemented comprehensive measures at border gates in 2025 due to the significant increase in road traffic during summer. At the Kapıkule border gate, the number of passenger entry lanes has been increased from 12 to 24. Additional personnel have also been assigned to ensure that passport and customs procedures continue smoothly and without delays.

During summer holidays, Turkish citizens living abroad often travel to Türkiye with foreign-plated vehicles. This causes congestion at Türkiye’s border crossings with Greece and Bulgaria, especially between June and August. To help with this, measures have been taken to speed up passenger crossings and make the process smoother at customs gates such as Kapıkule, İpsala, Hamzabeyli, and Pazarkule.

To maintain uninterrupted workflow, the Ministry of Trade will provide 24-hour meal service to customs and security personnel. Also, from June 15 to September 15, real-time congestion information at all border crossings will be available to the public on the Trakya Customs and Foreign Trade Regional Directorate’s website.

Mobile service units of PTT (Turkish Post) and Ziraat Bank are deployed at the Kapıkule Customs Gate to assist citizens. The Ministry of Treasury and Finance opened additional cashier counters. Security measures in customs areas have been reinforced by gendarmerie and police. Rest and refreshment areas have been set up to meet the citizens’ needs. Road markings, signs, and barriers have been added to help direct traffic in the area.

CUSTOMS PROCEDURES IN TÜRKİYE

Upon entry into the Turkish Customs Territory, individuals passing through passenger halls or transporting goods at land, air, or sea entry points must use either the red or green customs lanes depending on their situation. By doing so, they are deemed to have made their customs declaration. The use of these lanes does not imply that prohibited or restricted goods can be brought into Türkiye.

While using the red or green customs lanes, you may at any time be requested by Customs Officers to make a declaration. If items that are prohibited from entering the country, subject to authorization, or exceeding your personal allowance are detected in your possession, you may be subject to monetary fines or imprisonment.

If you are not carrying any dutiable goods, you may use the Green Lane, which will mean that your declaration is already made. In this case, you must ensure that your goods do not exceed customs allowances (i.e., are not commercial in nature) and are not prohibited or restricted for import into Türkiye. If you are carrying dutiable goods or are unsure whether a declaration is required, you must use the Red Lane. Here, after making the necessary declaration to the customs officer, applicable duties will be calculated and collected.

Travel goods brought for personal use during your stay in the country, even if they will be taken back upon departure, must be declared to the customs officer. Such goods cannot be left in the country. For valuable items (e.g., one laptop), you may be asked to fill out a verbal declaration form to confirm their presence upon departure.

Up-to-date information on passenger exemptions can be found on the Ministry of Trade's websites:

https://ggm.ticaret.gov.tr

https://ticaret.gov.tr/gumruk-islemleri

PASSENGER PROCEDURES

Detailed information about passenger procedures is provided below.

Question 1: What is the legal basis?

Answer:The legal basis consists of Article 167 of the Customs Law No. 4458, the Council of Ministers Decision No. 2009/15481 (Annex), titled “Decision on the Implementation of Certain Provisions of the Customs Law No. 4458,” and Circular No. 2011/39 dated 7 June 2011.

Question 2: Who is considered as a passenger?

Answer: Passengers are individuals arriving in the Turkish Customs Territory from a foreign country by land, rail, sea, or air for purposes such as trade, official duties, education, visits, medical treatment, or tourism, whether for short or long stays. This includes Turkish citizens and foreigners residing abroad, as well as Turkish citizens or foreigners residing in Türkiye who are returning temporarily or permanently from abroad or departing Türkiye for the same purposes and by the same means of transport.

Question 3: Who is not considered as a passenger?

Answer: Drivers and crew members of transport vehicles are not considered passengers and therefore are not eligible for passenger baggage exemptions. However, at border entry gates for passengers, they may purchase one carton of cigarettes, one litre of alcoholic beverage, one 120 ml bottle of perfume, one cosmetic product, and up to one kilogram of chocolate or sugar-based food. Drivers and crew members exiting via land border gates may use these shopping rights up to 10 times per month at border shops upon their return.

Question 4: What is passenger baggage?

Answer: Passenger baggage refers to goods accompanying a passenger that are not commercial in quantity or nature. Each passenger may bring personal goods listed in Annex-9 and goods worth up to 430 Euros duty-free.

Question 5: What is the personal goods exemption for passengers?

Answer: Exemption is granted for goods listed in Annex-9 of Decision No. 2009/15481 under Article 58 titled "Personal Goods." Goods listed in section (A) of Annex-9 must accompany the passenger, while goods in section (B) may be brought up to one month before or three months after the passenger's arrival.

Question 6: How is the exemption applied for goods listed in section “A) Consumables" of Annex-9?

Answer: Exemption is granted for goods listed in section “A) Consumables" of Annex-9, provided they accompany the passenger.

For tobacco and alcoholic products, the exemption can be used separately for each product within the specified limits. Passengers under 18 cannot benefit from exemptions for tobacco and alcoholic products.

Exempted goods and their quantities are as follows:

TOBACCO AND TOBACCO PRODUCTS

1. Cigarettes: 600 sticks

2. Cigarillos (cigars not exceeding 3g each): 100 sticks

3. Cigars: 50 sticks

4. Cut tobacco (with 200 cigarette papers): 250g

5. Pipe tobacco: 250g

ALCOHOLIC PRODUCTS

1. Alcohol and alcoholic beverages exceeding 22% ABV: 1 litre

2. Alcohol and alcoholic beverages not exceeding 22% ABV: 2 litres

COSMETIC PRODUCTS

Up to 600 ml of cologne, perfume, lavender, essence, or lotion, and up to 5 skincare and makeup products.

FOOD PRODUCTS

1. Tea: 1 kg

2. Soluble instant coffee: 1 kg

3. Coffee: 1 kg

4. Chocolate: 1 kg

5. Sugar-based food: 1 kg

Passengers may choose to use their full allowance of 2 kg for either chocolate or sugar-based food.

Question 7: Can passengers bring their medications?

Answer: Passengers entering Türkiye may bring medications listed in Annex-9 for personal treatment, either accompanying them or sent one month before or three months after their arrival. A document (e.g., medical report, doctor's prescription) must be presented to customs to confirm the necessity of the medication during their stay. A reasonable quantity of medication will be allowed based on the duration of stay.

Question 8: Which pets can passengers bring?

Answer: Passengers may bring up to 2 pets (limited to cats, dogs, and birds) or 10 aquarium fish, provided that they accompany the passenger, and a veterinary health certificate, origin and vaccination documents, and, if available, identification and description documents are presented. The animals are subject to veterinary inspection.

Question 9: Are mobile phones brought by passengers exempt from taxes?

Answer: Yes, they are exempt from taxes. However, following an amendment introduced by the Ministry of Finance, the previously repealed section titled “VIII – Wireless Fees” under Tariff No. 8 of the Fees Law No. 492 was revised by Law No. 6322, published in the Official Gazette No. 28324 on 15 June 2012. With this amendment, the section titled “VIII – Fee for the usage authorisation of mobile phones brought by passengers” was added to the tariff, and portable wireless mobile phone devices with receiver capability brought into Türkiye by passengers for their personal and non-commercial use were included within the scope of this fee. Accordingly, as of 2025, a “Fee for the usage authorisation of mobile phones brought by passengers” amounting to TRY 45,614.20 must be paid for such devices.

Question 10: Where are the fees for mobile phones paid?

Answer: The fee must be paid to a tax office or authorised banks before the electronic identity registration of the device by the Information and Communication Technologies Authority or mobile network operators.

Question 11: What is the gift goods exemption for passengers?

Answer: Non-commercial goods for personal, family, or gift use brought by passengers (excluding transit passengers) are exempt up to a total real value of 430 Euros per passenger. For passengers under 15, the limit is 150 Euros.

Question 12: Can passengers bring mobile phones within the 430 Euro gift limit or by mail?

Answer: No. Mobile phones can only be brought as personal goods under Annex-9. Bringing mobile phones as gifts, by mail, or by paying duties is not permitted. Such phones will not be delivered to their owners.

Question 13: Can food products be brought as gifts?

Answer: Under the passenger gift-goods exemption, up to 3 kilograms of fresh or dried fruits and vegetables and up to 1 kilogram of other plant-based products brought for consumption are exempt. Any plant products brought in excess of these limits are deemed to be commercial in quantity or nature and are processed accordingly.

Pursuant to the Communiqué No. 2012/11 on the Rules Regarding the Entry into the Country of Personal Consignments of Animal Products issued by the Ministry of Agriculture and Forestry, the personal consignment of meat and dairy products to Türkiye—whether brought in or sent—is not permitted.

Question 14: Is payment required for electronic devices brought by passengers?

Answer: Yes, electronic devices brought from abroad for non-commercial use are subject to a one-time “Banderol Fee”, collected by customs on behalf of TRT (Turkish Radio and Television Corporation). The fee varies depending on the device type and, for televisions, the screen size.

Question 15: Can tourists bring special food items required by their beliefs?

Answer: Special food items required by tourists’ religious beliefs may be brought either as personal luggage or cargo, provided the relevant tourism organisation certifies their ownership and guarantees their consumption. Such items may enter the country without control or permission from the Ministry of Agriculture and Forestry.

Question 16: Can the time limits for bringing goods (one month before or three months after arrival) be extended?

Answer: If the delay is due to force majeure or unforeseen circumstances, the Regional Directorate of Customs and Foreign Trade may grant a one-time extension of up to six months, provided that the cause of the delay is verified.

Question 17: What are the customs procedures for personal goods sent one month before or three months after arrival?

Answer: Personal goods that cannot be brought with the passenger may be sent by cargo or mail, with no weight or value limits and without any duties. The passenger must present their passport to the customs office where the goods are located to prove the passenger’s date of entry into Türkiye.

Question 18: What are the conditions for goods cleared for free circulation upon payment of duties?

Answer: A single flat-rate duty applies to goods not exceeding 1,500 Euros per passenger, with rates varying by origin:

- 30% for goods arriving directly from EU countries

- 60% for goods arriving from other countries

- An additional 20% for goods listed in Annex-IV of the Special Consumption Tax Law No. 4760.

Goods must:

a) not be commercial in quantity or nature.

b) either accompany the passenger or be sent by mail or express cargo.

c) must not exceed 30 kg gross for items sent by mail or express cargo (except for diplomatic goods and passenger baggage).

If the items brought by the passenger exceed the exemption limits (150 Euros for passengers under the age of 15 and 430 Euros for other passengers), then, after deducting the exemption amount (150 or 430 Euros), the above-mentioned single and flat duty shall be applied only to the portion exceeding the exemption, provided that the total value of the goods does not exceed 1,500 Euros.

Question 19: What happens if a single item exceeds 1,500 Euros?

Answer:The applicable import duty rates will apply.

Question 20: How is the value of passenger baggage determined?

Answer: The value is determined based on invoices, receipts, or proof of payment. If such documents are unavailable, or if the declared value is deemed low, the customs authority will determine the value.

Question 21: Is there a limit to the time spent in the country of origin for passengers entering Türkiye to be exempt from the items they bring with them?

Answer: No, there is no time limit. But passengers entering through land border gates may use the exemption no more than 10 times per month.

ANNEX-9 TO COUNCIL OF MINISTERS DECISION NO. 2009/15481