Passport and Visas :
1) Nationals of the following countries can enter Turkey with a valid passport; a visa is not required :
a) Up to 3 Months : Germany, Argentina, Australia, Bahamas, Bahrain, Barbados, Belgium, Belize, United Arab Emirates, Denmark, Morocco, Fiji, Finland, France, Granada, Holland, Iran, Switzerland, Iceland, Jamaica,Japan, Canada, Qatar, Kenya, Kuwait, Turkish Republic of Northem Cyprus, Liechtenstein, Luxembourg,Malaysia, Malta, Mauritius, Monaco, Norway, Oman, St. Lucia,San Marino, Seychelles, Singapore, Saudi Arabia, Chile, Trinidad-Tobago, Tunisia, Vatican City, New Zealand, Greece, Ecuador, Sweden, Israel, Brazil, South Korea.
b) Up to 2 Months : The Republic of Croatia, The Republic of Slovenia, Bosnia-Herzegovina, Romania, Macedonia, Indonesia,
c) Up to 1 Month : Bolivia, Kazakhestan, Kyrgyzstan, The Republic of South Africa.
2) For the countries mentioned above and Bulgaria, a transit visa is not required.
3) Nationals of the following countries require a visa:
a) U.S.A., Austria,United Kingdom,Ireland,Spain,Italy, and Portugal, can obtain a sticker visa at border gates (Up to 3 Months).
b) Nationels of the Commonwealth of Independent States (except Kazakhestan and Kyrgyzsetan)Hungary,Poland, The Czech Republic, Slovekia, Lithuania, Latvania, Estonia, Georgia, the Federal Republic of Yugoslavia and Taiwan can obtain a sticker visa at border gates (Up to 1 Month).
c) Netionals of Albanie and Guatemala can obtain a visa for up to 15 days at border gates. Nationals of Jordan up to 30 days.
d) Nationals of all other countries require a visa which can be obtained from the nearest Turkish embasav or consulate.
NOTE : All EU citizens, Swiss, Maltese and citizens of the Turkish Republic of Northern Cyprus may enter Turkey with the proper Identity cards in lieu of a passport.
Currency Regulation :
Limits : There is no limit on the amount of foreign currency that may be brought in to Turkey, but more than $ 5,000 worth of Turkish currency may be brought in to or taken out of the country.
Exchange slips : The exchange slips for the conversion of foreign currency in to Turkish lira should be kept, since you may be required to show these when reconverting your Turkish lira back in to foreign currency, and when taking souvenirs out of the country (to prove that they have been purchased with legally exchanged foreign currency).
Customs Regulations :
On Entry :
a) The following items may be brought into the country duty free :
-personal effects of the tourist, one TV, one color pocket TV (maximum 16 cm screen), one TV-tape-radio combination, one video recording camera and 5 video cassettes (blank); 5 records, 5 tape cassettes or compact discs, one video player, cine-projector (8 mm) and 10 rolls of film (blank), one slide projector, one pocket computer (maximum main memory capacity (RAM 128 KByte), electronic playing devices (without cassette - keyboard), one transistor radio and portable radio - tapeplayer (its specification to be determined by the Ministry of Finance and Customs), one walkman or pocket tape recorder, one portable compact disc player, binoculars (one pair, except night binoculars), harmonica, mandolin, flageole, flute, guitar, and accordion (only one of each type, maximum 3 musical instruments), personal sports equipment, necessary medical items, bicycle, baby buggy, toys, 200 cigarettes and 50 cigars, 200 grams of tobacco and 200 cigarette papers, or 50 grams of chewing tobacco, or 200 grams of pipe tobacco, or 200 grams of snuff. (In addition to the above allowances, it is possible to purchase 400 cigarettes, 100 cigars, and 500 grams of pipe tobacco from the Turkish Duty Free Shops upon entering the Country), 1.5kg. coffee, 1.5g. instant coffee, 500 grams of tea, 1 kilo chocolate and 1 kilo sweets. 5(100 cc) or 7(70 cc) bottles of wines and/or spirits, five bottles of perfume (120 ml max. each), one portable typewriter, one camera with 5 rolls of film, first aid, and spare parts for the car. Other items necessary during the journey.
b) Valuable items and all items with a value of over $15,000,must be registered in the owners passport upon entering Turkey, for control upon exit.
c) Antiques brought into the country must be registered in the owners passport to avoid difficulties exit.
d) Sharp instruments (including camping knives) and weapons may not be brougnt into the country without special permission
e) The bringing into the country, trade, and consumption of marjiuana and all other narcotics is strictly forbidden and subject to heavy punishment.
f) Gifts, not exceeding 500 DM in value and not for trading purposes, may be brought into the country duty free. In addition, gifts not exceeding 500 DM in value may be posted to Turkey duty free, if the date stamped by the sending post office falls one month before, or one month after the following holidays : Seker Bayrami, Kurban Bayrami, Christmas, New Years, Easter.
On Exit :
a) Gifts and souvenirs : for a new carpet, a proof of purchase; for old items, a certificate from a directorate of a
museum is necessary.
b) Exporting antiques from Turkey is forbidden.
c) Valuable personal items can only be taken out of the country providing they have been registered in the owner's passport upon entry, or providing they can show they have been purchased with legally exchanged currency.
d) Minerals may only be exported from the country with a special document obtained from the; MTA (General Directorate of Mining Exploration and Research). Etudler Dairesi 06520, Ankara Phone : (312) 287 3430, Fax:(312)2854271
Receive a tax refund for the goods you purchased in Turkey! If your place of residence is not in Turkey and if you intend to leave the country within 3 months of purchase, you can get a refund for the value-added tax on the articles you purchased in Turkey.
Tax-Free Shopping : You can identify the retailers which are authorized for tax-free sales from the certificates or stickers attached on their doors or display windows. Goods bought from non-authorized outlets are not eligible for a refund. You must have your passport and visa with you. The retailer will ask you to show them. inimum eligible amount of purchase per invoice is 3.000.000 Turkish Liras. The retailer will give you three copies of the invoice, including the original. The value-added tax you paid will be shown separately on your invoice. Keep all three copies in your possession until you need to use them. You must leave the country within three months of purchase. As you enter the customs check-point, have with you the copies and the goods purchased for which you will claim the tax refund. Have the customs officer stamp and validate all three copies of your invoice and, if available, your retailer-issued refund check. Leave two copies of the invoice with the customs officer. Retain the first copy for future reference.
How do I receive my tax refund? There are four different ways to receive your refund. Consult the authorized retailer of your choice as to which of these he is able to use.
1. Refund through a bank check, to be cashed at a bank available in the customs area.
2. Refund on your next visit, if you plan to visit Turkey within one month of your departure.
3. Cash paid at the point and time of sale.
4. Refund by mail.
Additional information:
Ministry of Finance and Tax Dept. General Directorate, (Maliye Bakanligi,Gelirler Genel mudurlugu)
KDV subesi 06100,
Ulus - Ankara
phone : (312)3103880/725-728-735
Health Regulations for Animals:
For those who wish to bring domestic animals into the country the following are required :
a) A 'Certificate of Origin' giving the health record of the animal.
b) A 'Certificate of Health', issued not more than 15 days before the animal's entry into the country,stating that the animal is in good health and that it has been vaccinated against rabies.
NOTE : If you have an ofticial certificate, you may bring one cat, one dog and 10 fish into the country
Motorist Rules :
General : Those who wish to enter the country with their vans, minibuses, automobiles, station wagons, bicycles, motorcycles, motorbikes, sidecars, buses, motor coaches, trailers, caravans or other transport vehicles, will have to provide the following documentation :
1. Passport.
2. Intemational driving license.
3. Car license (document where all details related to the car and the owners name are registered). If it is somebody else's vehicle a power of attomey should be provided.
4. International green card (Insurance card). The TR sign should be visible.
5. Transit book 'Carnet de passage' (for those who want to proceed to the Middle East).
Period : The vehicle can be brought into Turkey for up to 6 Months. The owner should declare on the opposite form, the date of departure at the border gate and should absolutely leave the country at the date declared. If for any important reason the staying period has to be extended, it is necessary to apply to;
The Turkish Touring and Automobile Club (Turkiye Turing ve Otomobil Kurumu)
1. Oto Sanayi Sitesi Yani, 4.Levent, Istanbul,
Phone : (212)2828140(7 lines). Fax:(212),2828042,
or to
The General Directorate of Customs (Gumrukler genel mudurlugu), Ankara
Phone : (312) 3103300, Fax: (312)311 75 97,
before the end of the period declared. In Case of Accident: The accident should be reported to the police or gendarme. That
report has to be certified by the nearest local authority. The owner should apply to the customs authority with his passport and report. If the vehicle can be repaired, it is necessary to inform the oustoms authority first and then take the vehicle to a garage. If the vehicle is not repairable and if the owner wishes to leave the country without his vehicle, he has to deliver it to the nearest customs office, and the registration of his vehicle on his passport will be cancelled. (Only after the cancellation can the owner of the vehicle leave the country.) Following accident, you can telephone :
Trafik Polisi (Traffic Police), Phone : 154
Jandarma (Gendarme), Phone : 156.
For more information, contact the Turkish Touring and Automobile Club (See Useful Addresses).
Formalities for Private Yacht Owners :
Yachts require a Transit Log and may remain in Turkish waters for up to two years for maintenance or for wintering. There are certain ports licensed by the Ministry of Tourism for the storage of yachts for a period of two to five years. For further information and regulations, contact the marina concerned. Upon arriving in Turkish waters, yachts shout immediately go for control of the ships log to the nearest port of entry which are as allows : Iskenderun, Botas(Adana), Mersin, Tasucu, Anamur, Alanya, Antalya Kemer, Finike, Kas, Fethiye, Marmaris, Datca, Bodrum,Gulluk, Didim, Kusadasi, Cesme, lzmir, Dikili, Ayvalik, Akcay, Canakkale, Bandirma, Tekirdag, Korfez, Istanbul, Zonguldak, Sinop, Samsun, Ordu, Giresun, Trabzon, Rize, Hopa.
Port Formalities : All the required information conceming the yacht, yachtsmen, crew members, intended route, passports, customs declarations, health clearance, and any other obligatory natters must be entered in the Transit Log. The Transit Log is to be completed by the captain of a yacht under a foreign flag or by an amateur sailor acting as captain of the vessel. The Transit Log is completed upon first entering a Turkish port and, generally, it is necessary to contact the Harbor Authority before leaving. For information on tax-free fuel, contact the Marina Harbor Office. For further information on sailing in Turkey see the section 'Recreation'.
NOTE : If you have a certificate from the Tourism Ministry Yacht Harbor, you may take full petrol at no charge, provided you possess an official marina license.
Formalities for Private Plane Owners :
General : When coming to Turkey, international air routes should be followed. Private planes may stay for up to three months in Turkey with tourist status, but for longer permission permission should be obtained from :
The General Directorate of Customs (Gumrukler Genel Mudurlugu), Ankara,
Phone : (312)3103300, Fax (312)311 7597
The airports of Ankara, Adana, Istanbul, Izmir, Antalya, Trabzon and Dalaman have facilities for private planes. It is also possible to hire planes and helicopters in Turkey. For further information, apply to;
The Civil Aviation Department of the Ministry of Transport (UIastirma Bakanligi, Sivil Havacilik Gen.Mud.),
Bosna-Hersek Cad., No : 5 - 06338, Emek, Ankara
Phone : (312)2126730, Fax: (312)2124684, Tlx: 44659 Ga-tr.
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