Introduction: A Unique Legal Situation for Returning Turkish Citizens and Their Foreign Spouses Each year, thousands of Turkish citizens living abroad return to Türkiye temporarily or permanently, often accompanied by their foreign spouses. During these visits or relocations, they bring: Although these items are typically intended for personal and family use, Turkish customs laws impose […]
Introduction: Growing Tourist Purchases and Increasing Customs Scrutiny Türkiye is one of the world’s most visited destinations, attracting tens of millions of tourists yearly. Foreign visitors frequently buy: While tourists typically intend to bring gifts home, customs authorities may suspect commercial export when quantities exceed personal-use levels. This triggers: This article analyzes the legal framework […]
Introduction: Why Packages Sent to Foreign Residents Commonly Face Scrutiny Foreign nationals living in Türkiye—students, employees, retirees, digital nomads, and long-term residents—often receive cargo from their families abroad. These parcels typically contain: Because these shipments come from non-commercial senders and are intended as personal gifts, families assume their packages will pass through customs smoothly. However, […]
Introduction: The Cultural Tradition of Sending Goods and the Legal Complexities Involved International students studying in Türkiye frequently receive food, clothing, books, medicine, and personal essentials from their families abroad. This tradition is common among students from: Families typically send: However, what appears to be an innocent cultural gesture often leads to significant customs issues […]