When a Foreign National Is Stopped at Turkish Customs Imagine this: you land in Istanbul after a long-haul flight, queue at passport control, pick up your luggage… and then, instead of “Nothing to Declare”, an officer asks you to step aside. Your suitcase is opened, questions start, and suddenly you realise you are no longer […]
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: Rising Consumer Demand and Increasing Customs Scrutiny Türkiye has witnessed a significant increase in imports of dietary supplements, beauty products, vitamins, collagen powders, protein mixes, herbal blends, and skincare items. Many travelers and small-scale online sellers bring such items from abroad for: However, Turkish customs authorities follow a strict regime regarding: When travelers exceed […]
Introduction: Why Foreign Travelers Often Face Seizure Problems in Turkey Foreign travelers entering Türkiye may experience customs-related complications when bringing: Turkish customs authorities apply strict enforcement measures against undeclared or improperly declared goods, often resulting in immediate seizure (el koyma). Because smuggling offenses fall under Law No. 5607, the legal consequences can be serious—even for […]