Travel Regulations

CURRENCY REGULATIONS

Limits: There is no limit on the amount of foreign currency that may be brought into Turkey, but not more than $ 5,000 worth of Turkish currency may be brought into or taken out of the country. Exchange slips: The exchange slips for the conversion of foreign currency into Turkish lira should be kept, since you may be required to show these when reconverting your Turkish lira back into 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

• The following items may be brought into the country duty free:

- One TV (black and white), one colour pocket TV (maximum 16 cm screen), one TV-tape-radio combination, one video recording camera and 5 video cassettes (blank); 5 records, 5 tape cassenes or compact discs.

- one pocket computer (maximum main memory capacity Ram 64 K. Byte), electronic playing devices (without cassette - keyboard).

- binoculars (one pair).

- personal sporting equipment.

- bicycle, baby buggy, toys.

- 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 on entering the country).

- 1 kilo chocolate and 1 kilo sweets.

- five bottles of perfume (120 ml max. each).

- one camera with 5 rolls of film.

 Other items necessary during the journey.

• Valuable items and all items with a value of over $15,000, must be registered in the owner's passport on entering Turkey, for control upon exit.
• Antiques brought into the country must be registered in the owner's passport to avoid difficulties on exit.
• Sharp instruments (including camping knives) and weapons may not be brought into the country without special permission.
• The bringing into the country, trade, and consumption of marihuana and all other narcotics is strictly forbidden and subject to heavy punishment.
• 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 Bayram, Kurban Bayram, Christmas, New Year and Easter.

On exit

• Gifts and souvenirs: for a new carpet, a proof of purchase; and for old items, a certificate from a directorate of a museum is necessary.
• The export of antiques from Turkey is forbidden.
• Valuable personal items can only be taken out of the country providing they have been registered in the owner's passport on entry, or providing they can show they have been purchased with legally exchanged currency.
• Minerals may only be exported from the country with a special document obtained from the MTA (General Directorate of Mining Exploration and Research), Tel: (0-312) 2873430

FORMALITIES FOR MOTORISTS

General Those who wish to enter the country with their vans, minibuses, automobiles, station wagons, bicycles, motorcycles, tricycles, sidecars, buses, motor coaches, trailers, caravans will have to provide the following documentation:

• Passport.
• International driving license.
• Car license (document where all details related to the car and the owner's name is registered). If it is somebody else's vehicle a power of attorney should be provided.
• International green card (Insurance card). The TR sign should be visible.
• 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 apposite form the date of departure at the border gate. The owner 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 or to the General Directorate of Customs Tel: (0-312) 3103880 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 the report. If the vehicle can be repaired, it is necessary to inform the customs 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.)

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, please contact the marina concerned.

Upon arriving in Turkish waters, yachts should immediately go for control of the ships log to the nearest port of entry which are as follows: Bota,s (Adana), Antalya, Kemer, Alanya, Kas, Finike, Kusadasi, Didim, Akcay, Ayvalik, Bandirma, Canakkale, Iskenderun, Mersin (Icel), Tasucu (Silifke), Anamur, Istanbul, Dikili, Cesme, Korfez, Marmaris, Bodrum, Fethiye, Gulluk, Datca, Ordu, Samsun, Tekirdag, Trabzon, Hopa, Zonguldak, Giresun, Rize, Sinop, Izmir. 

Formalities on reaching port

All the required information concerning the yacht, yachtsmen, crew members, intended route, passports, customs declarations, health clearance, and any other obligatory matters 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 Harbour Authority before leaving. For further information on sailing in Turkey see the section "Recreation." 

FORMALITIES FOR PRIVATE PLANE OWNERS

General

When coming to Turkey, international airlines should be followed. Private planes may stay for up to three months in Turkey with tourist status, but for longer periods permission should be obtained from the General Directorate of Customs Tel: (0-312) 3103880 

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 (Ulastirma Bakanligi Sivil Havacilik Gen. Mud.). Ankara, 90. Sokak, No: 5 - 06338 - Emek, Tel: (0-312) 2124574, Tlx: 44659 Ga-tr, Fax: (0-312) 2124684.