Moving to Türkiye: customs & agriculture checklist
Türkiye waives customs duties on used household goods for people who move their residence there — but only within strict conditions on time abroad, timing and what is in the container. Answer five questions to see whether your shipment qualifies under Decree 2009/15481, then check every item against the customs, agriculture and BTK rules before you pack.
1. Do my goods clear duty-free? (Duty-free entry of used household goods for persons transferring residence (Customs Law 4458 art. 167; Decree 2009/15481 arts. 48–49 and 57))
Which of these describes you?
Are the goods your own personal and household property, not for sale or business use?
Does your shipment fit the time limits (your arrival and the shipment close together)?
Does the shipment include any of these?
Documents to clear your shipment
- İkamet nakil belgesi — residence-transfer certificate issued by the Turkish consulate in the country you are leaving (returning citizens, officials, naturalised citizens)
- Vukuatlı nüfus kayıt örneği — full civil-registry extract for Turkish and dual citizens; foreign nationals give a family-population document from a Turkish or home-country mission, or a signed declaration if their country does not issue one
- Passport — your last entry date into Türkiye starts the six-month window; keep the arrival stamp or e-gate record
- Residence permit (ikamet izni), work permit or e-İkamet application receipt — foreign nationals; a valid work permit counts as a residence permit
- Itemised goods list (eşya listesi) in Turkish, attached to the electronic oral declaration form — every box numbered, contents and materials described, used/new marked and values for anything not covered
- Title deed (tapu) or notarised lease of at least one year in your or your spouse's name — required on the home-owner/tenant route and useful evidence on every route
- Bill of lading, air waybill or CMR note and the packing list from the mover
- Representation: the declaration may be lodged by you, your spouse or a representative authorised under Customs Law art. 225 — in practice a licensed customs broker (gümrük müşaviri) with your power of attorney
What is taxed and what is not
- Qualifying used household goods: no customs duty. The relief covers goods for one home and one family unit, declared within six months of arrival.
- New, unused or non-qualifying goods: customs duty at the tariff rate, plus Special Consumption Tax (ÖTV) where the item is on List IV of Law 4760 — 6.7 % on televisions, refrigerators, washing machines, dishwashers, air conditioners and motorised household appliances; 20 % on game consoles and crystal chandeliers; 25–50 % on mobile phones — plus 20 % KDV (VAT) on the value including duty and ÖTV.
- Vehicles under the returning-resident relief: customs duty waived, but ÖTV by engine size and 20 % KDV are collected at release. Outside the relief a car pays duty, ÖTV and KDV in full.
- Mobile phones and other IMEI devices you bring: a one-off usage-permit fee under the Fees Law (45,614.20 TL in the 2025 tariff, revalued every year) before BTK registration; alcohol and tobacco in the shipment are outside the relief and taxed separately.
2. Can I ship it? — Agriculture Ministry item checker
Türkiye's agriculture ministry controls plants, seeds, growing media, fresh produce and animal-origin products at the border, requires ISPM 15 marking on wooden crates and pallets, and sets the entry rules for cats, dogs and ferrets. Customs separately flags vehicles, alcohol, tobacco, weapons, new goods and IMEI devices. Search an item or filter by category — statuses follow the Ministry of Trade, Ministry of Agriculture and Forestry and BTK rules linked below.
Don't ship — Prohibited or assessed separately — leave it outDeclare + clean — Declare, clean/dry it, expect inspection or treatmentDeclare — Declare and list it clearlyNo concern — No specific concern
No match — if it is made of wood, plant or animal material, is food, or has been outdoors, declare it and check with the authority before packing.
Don't ship
Fresh fruit and vegetablesOnly up to 3 kg in your personal luggage for your own consumption is certificate-free. In a household shipment fresh produce is a plant consignment needing a phytosanitary certificate — do not pack it.
Food
Don't ship
Seeds, bulbs, seedlings, live plantsPropagation material needs a phytosanitary certificate and plant-health inspection; undeclared seeds carried by travellers are seized and destroyed regardless of quantity.
Garden & plants
Don't ship
Soil, potting compost, growing media, plant pots with earthGrowing media on Annex 3 of the Plant Quarantine Regulation cannot enter Türkiye. Empty and wash pots; leave compost behind.
Garden & plants
Don't ship
Meat, cured meats, dairy, cheese, honey, eggsAnimal-origin food is subject to veterinary border control and health certification as a consignment — a household container is not a passenger allowance. Leave it out.
Food
Declare
Dried and packaged food — tea, coffee, spices, rice, pasta, snacksPlant-origin foodstuffs fall under Ministry of Agriculture import control. List them clearly, keep quantities to a few weeks' household use and expect customs to ask.
Food
Declare
Dried fruit, nuts, pulsesThe 3 kg certificate-free allowance applies to travellers' luggage only. In the container these are plant products — declare and keep small.
Food
Don't ship
Alcohol — wine, spirits, beerNo relief under the household-goods regime (Decree art. 109). Only the traveller allowance in hand luggage is duty-free; alcohol in the container is subject to separate import rules and taxes.
Food
Don't ship
Tobacco, cigarettes, cigars, e-liquidsExcluded from the relief (Decree art. 109); the personal allowance applies only to adults' accompanied luggage.
Food
Declare
Pet food and treatsAnimal-origin product under veterinary border control. Carry only what the animal needs for the journey; do not fill the container with it.
Pets & animals
Declare
Cats, dogs and ferretsMicrochip (ISO 11784/11785) first, then rabies vaccination; rabies antibody titre of at least 0.5 IU/ml from an EU-approved laboratory on blood drawn 30 days or more after vaccination, then a 3-month wait after a first test; veterinary health certificate issued by the exporting country's authority within 2 days of travel; pet passport. Maximum 2 animals per passenger.
Pets & animals
No concern
Pet beds, cages, carriers, leads, grooming kitNo specific concern — clean and dry, listed as household goods.
Pets & animals
Declare
Aquariums, terrariums, fish and reptilesLive animals other than cats, dogs and ferrets are imported under a Ministry of Agriculture and Forestry control certificate — ask before shipping. Tanks travel empty and dry.
Pets & animals
No concern
Wooden furniture — tables, chairs, beds, wardrobes, antiquesUsed furniture is the core of the relief. Describe each piece on the eşya listesi ("ahşap yemek masası", "2 kişilik kanepe").
Wood, cane & bamboo
Declare + clean
Wooden crates, pallets, dunnage used for the shipmentSolid-wood packaging over 6 mm must carry the ISPM 15 heat-treatment mark; unmarked wood packaging is refused entry and returned. Marked packaging needs no phytosanitary certificate.
Packing
Don't ship
Straw, hay, sawdust or wood shavings as fillerBaled straw, hay and sawdust are not treated as packaging under the Decree and fall under agricultural import controls. Use paper, bubble wrap and new cartons.
Packing
Declare + clean
Dried flowers, wreaths, pine cones, natural stems, mossPlant products are subject to plant-health control at entry; expect inspection and possible refusal. Easiest to leave behind.
Decor & ornaments
No concern
Carpets, kilims, rugs, cushionsUsed textiles are household goods — vacuum, roll and list them.
Decor & ornaments
Declare
Crystal chandeliers (new)Crystal chandeliers carry 20 % ÖTV when assessed as new goods, plus duty and 20 % KDV. A used one travelling as household goods is fine — list it.
Decor & ornaments
Declare
Ivory, coral, tortoiseshell, mother-of-pearl articlesWorked ivory, coral, tortoiseshell and similar animal materials are on ÖTV List IV (20 %) when assessed as new goods. Declare with provenance.
Decor & ornaments
No concern
Pictures, mirrors, lamps, ornaments, booksNo specific concern — describe clearly and pack well.
Decor & ornaments
Declare
Television, monitor, projectorUsed sets pass under the relief. New or boxed sets are assessed: 6.7 % ÖTV plus duty and 20 % KDV.
Household
Declare
Refrigerator, freezer, washing machine, dishwasher, air conditionerUsed white goods are household goods. New ones attract 6.7 % ÖTV plus duty and 20 % KDV — keep receipts showing age if asked.
Kitchen
Declare
Small kitchen appliances, kettles, water heaters, vacuum cleanerHousehold electrical appliances with motors or heaters are on ÖTV List IV (6.7 %) if assessed as new. Used items: list and go.
Kitchen
No concern
Pots, pans, crockery, cutlery, kitchen knivesNo concern — ordinary kitchen knives are not weapons under Law 6136.
Kitchen
Declare
Mobile phones, smartwatches, laptops and tablets with a SIM/IMEICarry them with you, not in the container — only passenger-accompanied devices can be registered. Register within 120 days via e-Devlet after paying the usage-permit fee (45,614.20 TL in the 2025 tariff); one device per person every 3 calendar years. Unregistered devices are blocked from Turkish networks.
Household
No concern
Computers, printers, routers, hi-fi, cameras (no SIM)Used electronics without an IMEI are plain household goods — list make and model.
Household
Declare
Video game consoles (new)Consoles carry 20 % ÖTV when assessed as new goods, plus duty and 20 % KDV. Used, in the household: list it.
Household
No concern
Clothes, shoes, linen, towels, toysNo concern.
Household
Declare
Multiple identical appliances or commercial quantitiesCustoms judges quantities against one family's needs; anything that looks like stock is refused the relief and assessed as a normal import.
Household
Declare
New, boxed or unused furniture and goodsOutside the relief: customs duty, ÖTV where listed and 20 % KDV on the value. List them separately with invoices.
Household
Declare
Dowry goods (çeyiz) for a marriage to a Turkish residentSeparate relief: enter 2 months before to 4 months after the wedding, new goods allowed, gifts up to €430 each and €3,000 in total, no sale for 12 months. Needs 12 months abroad and the marriage certificate.
Household
Declare
Cash and bearer instruments of €10,000 or moreDeclare on entry; undeclared sums can be seized and fined. Certain transfers must go through the banking system, not in cash.
Household
Don't ship
Firearms, ammunition, gun parts, knives made for attack or defenceLaw 6136 prohibits bringing firearms, ammunition and purpose-made attack knives into the country except under narrow statutory exceptions. Do not ship them.
Outdoor, sport & camping
Don't ship
Goods whose import is prohibited (e.g. narcotics) or needs a licenceProhibited goods attract a penalty of four times their customs value; goods needing a permit you do not hold, twice (Customs Law art. 235). Ask before packing anything regulated.
Outdoor, sport & camping
Declare
BicyclesA bicycle counts as a non-motorised private vehicle: one per family unit under the vehicle relief, declared within 6 months. List frame numbers.
Vehicles & machines
Don't ship
Car, motorbike, caravan, trailerNot household goods. Separate relief only for eligible returning residents: in your name abroad for 6+ months, under 3 years old incl. model year, one per family, four designated customs offices, duty waived but ÖTV and 20 % KDV due. Otherwise full duty, ÖTV and KDV.
Vehicles & machines
Declare + clean
Lawnmower, garden tools, wheelbarrow, outdoor furniture, BBQClean off soil and plant debris — growing media and plant residue are what inspectors look for. Drain fuel from engines.
Garden & plants
Declare + clean
Tents, camping gear, hiking boots, bikes with muddy tyresBrush off soil and seeds; soil is a quarantine concern and seeds carried without declaration are seized.
Outdoor, sport & camping
No concern
Sports equipment — skis, golf clubs, racquets, gym gearNo specific concern — list clearly.
Outdoor, sport & camping
Don't ship
Professional tools, workshop machines, studio or clinic equipmentMaterials for a trade or profession are excluded from the household-goods relief; only portable hand tools pass. Ship a business separately as a commercial import.
Vehicles & machines
No concern
Portable hand tools and DIY kitPortable tools are expressly allowed within the relief (Decree art. 49(4)).
Vehicles & machines
Declare
Medicines for personal useCarry personal medication with you with the prescription rather than in the container. Medicines sent by post or courier are taxed at a flat 30 % (from the EU) or 60 % (elsewhere) on value up to €1,500 and need a doctor's report or prescription.
Household
Declare
Boxes labelled "misc", "stuff" or not itemisedThe relief rests on the eşya listesi attached to the declaration. Unlisted or vague boxes invite a physical examination of the whole container.
Packing
No concern
Metal and upholstered furniture, mattresses, sofasNo specific concern — describe them on the list and keep them clean.
Household
How to pack so you clear inspection first time
- Fix your arrival date first: the goods must be declared with you, before you, or within 6 months after your last entry — book the shipment so it lands inside that window.
- Write the eşya listesi in Turkish with box numbers, contents and materials, marking anything new or under warranty with its value — customs releases the relief against this list.
- Take phones, smartwatches and laptops with a SIM in your hand luggage and register them on e-Devlet within 120 days; they cannot be registered if they arrive in the container.
- Leave out alcohol, tobacco, fresh and animal-origin food, seeds, compost and anything for a trade — each one is outside the relief and some are prohibited.
- Use ISPM 15-marked wooden crates and pallets only, and paper or bubble wrap instead of straw, hay or sawdust.
- Clean soil off garden tools, boots, bikes and outdoor furniture; growing media and plant residue are the agriculture inspectors' main concern.
Penalties and costs
- Under-declared or misdeclared goods that cause a loss of duty: a penalty of three times the duty difference on top of the duties (Customs Law art. 234); reduced to 10 % if you disclose the error before customs finds it.
- Goods whose import is prohibited: an administrative fine of four times the customs value; goods needing a permit or licence you do not hold: twice the customs value (art. 235(1)).
- Undeclared goods found in a traveller's luggage: the customs duties are charged at twice the rate (art. 235(3)).
- Selling, lending, renting or transferring relief goods within one year without customs' permission: the duties become payable and the Anti-Smuggling Law 5607 and Penal Code can apply (Decree art. 107; Communiqué art. 41). Procedural irregularities carry a fixed fine of 1,494 TL from 1 January 2026, revalued yearly (art. 241).
Fees and penalty amounts are revised regularly — confirm current figures on the official pages below before you ship.
FAQ
Do I really need 24 months abroad before the goods enter duty-free?
Yes for the main route: continuous residence outside Türkiye for at least 24 months before you transfer your residence. Stays in Türkiye under 6 months in a year do not break continuity, but they are not counted towards the 24 months. The test is waived if you lived abroad for at least 5 of the last 10 years, for public officials returning from a permanent posting, and for people who acquired Turkish citizenship.
I am not a Turkish citizen — can I use the relief?
Yes. Nationality is not a condition; the Ministry of Trade applies the same 24-month residence test and, for people who are not yet registered residents, the home route — a Turkish home you own or have rented under a notarised lease of at least one year. Bring your residence permit or e-İkamet application receipt, your passport and the lease or tapu. If the lease is shorter than a year, customs only allows a temporary import with the duties secured.
Can I bring my car with the household goods?
Not as household goods. A separate relief lets eligible returning residents import one vehicle per family unit free of customs duty if it has been registered in their name abroad for at least 6 months before their last entry, is no older than 3 years including the model year, and is declared within 6 months at Ankara Gar, İstanbul Yeşilköy, İzmir Yolcu Salonu or Gebze customs. ÖTV by engine size and 20 % KDV are still collected, and the relief can be used once every 5 years.
Can I sell the furniture once it is in Türkiye?
Not for a year. Goods released under the relief may not be sold, lent, rented, pledged or transferred for one year without permission from the customs office; otherwise the duties are collected and smuggling provisions can apply. You must also tell customs if you stop meeting the conditions.
What happens to my mobile phone?
Phones and other IMEI devices brought from abroad work for 120 days from your entry; to keep using them on Turkish networks you pay the usage-permit fee (45,614.20 TL in the 2025 tariff, revalued each year) and register the device on e-Devlet. One device per person every three calendar years. Devices that arrive by post or in the container cannot be registered, so carry the phone with you.
What does my dog or cat need to enter Türkiye?
An ISO microchip implanted before the rabies vaccination, a valid inactivated rabies vaccine, a rabies antibody titre of at least 0.5 IU/ml from an EU-approved laboratory on blood drawn at least 30 days after vaccination (then a 3-month wait after a first test), a veterinary health certificate issued by your country's authority within 2 days of travel, and a pet passport. A passenger may bring at most 2 animals. Start 3–4 months before the move.
Read next
- Moving from Germany to Turkey (2026): Complete Guide
- Moving from the UK to Turkey (2026): Complete Guide
- Moving from Finland to Turkey (2026): Complete Guide
- Moving to Istanbul from Abroad (2026): Complete Relocation Guide
- Moving Guides — Turkey
- Moving volume calculator — how many m³ is your move?
- Keep, sell or ship? — is it worth moving your furniture abroad?
- Moving inventory list template (PDF, Word, Excel)
Official sources
- Ministry of Trade — Household goods and business relocation relief (FAQ)
- Ministry of Trade — Duty-free import of a vehicle on transfer of residence (FAQ)
- Ministry of Trade — Accompanied vehicles / temporary import (English FAQ)
- Decree 2009/15481 on the application of certain articles of Customs Law 4458 (arts. 3, 46–57, 59–63, 107, 109) — mevzuat.gov.tr
- Customs Exemption Communiqué (Serial No. 2) — documents, oral declaration, transfer restrictions
- Customs Law No. 4458 (arts. 167, 225, 234, 235, 241)
- Special Consumption Tax Law No. 4760 — List (IV) rates
- Revenue Administration (GİB) — Fees Law tariffs 2025, item VIII: phone usage-permit fee
- BTK — Central Device Registration System (IMEI) consumer FAQ
- BTK Communiqué on registration of devices with electronic identity (IMEI)
- Ministry of Agriculture and Forestry — Requirements for cats and dogs entering Türkiye (Trabzon veterinary border directorate)
- Ministry of Agriculture and Forestry — Cat, dog and ferret travel (Istanbul airport veterinary border directorate)
- Plant Quarantine Regulation (Bitki Karantinası Yönetmeliği) — arts. 8, 12, 13, 23
- Ministry of Agriculture and Forestry — Plant and plant-product border control
- Ministry of Agriculture and Forestry — Animal-product border control
- Law No. 6136 on Firearms, Knives and Other Tools (arts. 1–2)
This checker summarises public rules as at the review date for planning purposes. Customs and biosecurity decisions are made by the officers on arrival; your Flyto coordinator confirms the current conditions for your visa and shipment.
Moving to Türkiye? Get a fixed door-to-door price
Road moves from across Europe with the Turkish customs declaration, the itemised eşya listesi and a licensed Turkish customs broker handled for you. Price in about a minute.
Get instant priceBook a free video survey