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Turkey, with its beautiful climate and rich culture, continues to attract many citizens from different countries. If you are a Turkish citizen returning home after living abroad, it is important to know how to correctly handle the importation of your personal belongings and household items without paying customs duties. There are several requirements in this process, and Parustrans is here to assist you in navigating all the steps while complying with the rules and regulations.

What Documents Are Required for Duty-Free Import?

To take advantage of the duty-free importation of household effects and personal belongings, a returning Turkish citizen must provide the following documents for customs clearance:

• Detailed inventory (a detailed list of all items in the shipment), which should include descriptions, brand names, and serial numbers of electronics.
• Original passport of the goods owner at the time of customs clearance.
• Turkish Tax Identification Number (TIN).
• If the goods owner has a spouse, their passport must be provided.
• Single citizens must provide an ID certificate from the Registry Office (Nüfus Müdürlüğü'nden vukuatlı nüfus kayıt örneği).
• List of entry and exit dates for the last 3 years, obtained from the nearest police station.

Document Options for Returning Citizens Shipping Household Goods to Turkey

There are four document options for citizens returning to Turkey when shipping household goods:

1. Permanent return certificate: The owner of the goods must present the original certificate from the nearest Turkish Consulate, confirming that they have resided in the country of origin for at least two years.
2. Export declaration form: A copy of the export declaration form used when exporting the same shipment from Turkey previously.
3. Tax payment: If the owner of the goods does not have a permanent return certificate or export declaration form, taxes must be paid if the shipment exceeds €1500, approximately 20% of the value.
4. Rental contract or property deed: A certified copy of the rental contract (minimum 24 months), notarized, or an original property title for permanent importation.

Additional Important Information

• Only used items can be imported duty-free.
• The detailed inventory must include a description of each item, including brand names and serial numbers for electrical items.
• The shipment cannot contain any items packed by the owner (PBO – Packed by Owner).
• Customs clearance generally takes about 4-5 business days.
• For smaller air shipments where taxes are paid, the owner must arrive more than 1 month prior to or 1 month after the arrival of the goods.
• The shipment must arrive no earlier than 2 months before the owner’s arrival in Turkey or no later than 6 months after the owner’s last entry into Turkey.

By following these steps and ensuring that all documentation is in order, you can smoothly import your personal effects and household goods without unnecessary complications. Parustrans is here to assist you every step of the way, providing expert guidance and ensuring that your goods arrive safely and without delay.