Visas, Duty free, Customs and Tax Refunds
Visas
Please note that visa information is subject to change at any time and before making travel plans, you should check with your local consulate for up to date information. Many nationalities can purchase a multiple entry visa that will allow them to stay for 90 days in Turkey, during a 180-day period. If you plan to stay longer than this, you should apply for a residency visa instead.
You can apply for a tourist visa before leaving your home country however; this can be costly and time consuming. Instead, purchase a visa at customs when you are entering Turkey. Please refer to the website of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs in Turkey for further information. It is forbidden to work while in Turkey on a tourist visa.
Duty Free
You are allowed the following when passing through duty free; 120 ml of perfume, 1 kg Confectionery, 500 gr tea, 200 cigarettes, 50 cigars, 200 grams tobacco, 1.5 kg instant coffee, 1 kg Chocolate, 1 x 100 cl or 2 x 75cl or 70 cl bottles of wine or spirits.
Customs
A receipt should accompany any jewellery worth over 15,000 USD. The moving of ancient artefacts is strictly forbidden unless accompanied with a certificate from the relevant authorities. Please also check the status of certain antiques that you wish to purchase. Entering or exiting Turkey with illegal drugs is strictly forbidden and can carry a heavy penalty if you are found with them on your person.
Essential medical items should be accompanied with a note from your doctor. Personal belongings are as follows but please note, you may need to pay tax on certain electrical items : one TV, one colour pocket TV, one video recorder, portable radio, one portable compact disc player, one slide projector, one pocket computer, maximum 3 musical instruments.
Tax Refunds
People who do not live in Turkey can apply for a tax refund on certain items. This is done in a number of ways. First, you should enquire with the retailer to find out if they are an authorised tax refund company. If they are, they will display their permit and advise you of the procedure. Alternatively, some airports have a bank in the customs area of the airport. Lastly you can contact the Ministry of Finance and Tax on the telephone number of +90 312 310 38 80
