Customs & Regulations

Turkey uses the Red/Green Channel system, so unless you're carrying something unusual, or get spot-checked by the customs officers, you can walk right through.

On Entry

A) Valuable items and all items with a value of over $ 15,000 must be registered in the owner's passport upon entering Turkey, for control upon exit.

B) Antiques brought into the country must be registered in the owner's passport to avoid difficulties on exit.

C) Sharp instruments (including camping knives) and weapons may not be brought into the country without special permission.

D) The bringing into the country, trade, and consumption of marijuana and all other narcotics is strictly forbidden and subject to heavy punishment.


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.

Regulations for Pets

For those who wish to bring domestic animals in Istanbul the followings are required:

Pets have to be 3 months and older
An International Certificate of Health issued within 15 days before the travel
The Identification Card
Vaccination Card.

Note: if you have an official certificate, you may bring one cat, one bird, one dog and 10 aquarium fish into the country