Many tourists confess that their last purchase, literally on the day of departure, was a suitcase because their belongings didn't fit in their luggage. Indeed, it's impossible to leave without buying anything from the shops and souvenir stores, and then you have to think about how to carry it all back home.
Pay attention to the basic rules for the import of goods and the export of goods:
- It is forbidden to carry explosive, flammable, toxic, poisonous substances and liquids, weapons, liquefied gases in baggage.
- Check also the luggage you take on board. It should not contain sharp metal piercing objects (manicure and ordinary scissors, metal nail file and tweezers, straight razor, folding knife, corkscrew and similar things). Liquids can be brought into Turkey by plane, but their total volume must not exceed 1 liter, and each package must not exceed 100 ml.
- Items that can be regarded as of historical, archaeological or cultural value are not allowed to be exported.
Duty-free export from Turkey is allowed for goods intended for personal use in reasonable quantities:
- tobacco products (600 pieces)
- cosmetics (max. 600 ml)
- food (tea, coffee, chocolate) weighing no more than 1 kg for each type
Restrictions on weight do not apply to items purchased in duty-free shops.
It is forbidden to export from Turkey:
- drugs with narcotic effects
- switch knives and daggers
- counterfeit and pirated products
- pornographic content
- harmful chemicals
- firearms
- counterfeit banknotes
An important question for tourists is usually the question of how much alcohol can be brought into Turkey and taken out of the country. It is allowed to carry up to 2 liters of alcoholic beverages if their strength reaches 22%, and if it is above 22%, then you can carry 1 liter.
Tax Free in Turkey
When leaving Turkey, you can expect another discount: you may be eligible for a refund of the value-added tax you paid when purchasing goods. To qualify, your purchase must be made at a store displaying the signs GLOBAL REFUND or TAX FREE SHOPPING and exceed 100 TYR.
The seller will provide you with a special receipt, which you can present at the Turkish customs to receive a reimbursement of the paid value-added tax. You will be refunded 8% of the value for textiles, clothing, leather goods, carpets, shoes, bags, optics, books, and food items, and 18% for electronics, watches, eyewear, cosmetics, porcelain/ceramics, and household goods.
