Importing personal goods to Türkiye: Costs, rules and the right route
Labelling a shipment “personal goods” does not automatically exempt it from tax or import rules. The procedure in Türkiye depends on how the goods arrive, their value, weight, quantity, nature and intended use.
Goods carried by a passenger and goods sent by post or express carrier are not governed by the same route. For most personal goods sent by post or express carrier, assuming a general tax-free allowance is wrong. Increasing quantity can also cause a shipment to be treated as commercial.
Identify the correct import route first
Passenger-accompanied goods
Separate exemption rules apply to non-commercial goods carried with a passenger. In 2026, each passenger may bring the personal items in Annex 9 plus up to EUR 430 of qualifying goods. This EUR 430 allowance does not apply to postal or express shipments.
Post or express carrier
For non-commercial personal-use goods up to EUR 1,500 and 30 kg gross, an authorised operator may lodge a detailed declaration. Import taxes and other obligations still apply, and storage, representation or similar operator fees may be charged.
Normal/commercial import
Goods above EUR 1,500, above the weight threshold, or commercial by quantity or nature enter the normal import route. HS classification, origin, product safety, permits and conformity controls are assessed by product.
What counts as “personal goods” for customs?
The recipient being an individual, or an invoice saying “personal goods”, is not decisive. Customs can assess the commodity, count, quantity, packaging, repeated shipments and intended use together. Multiple identical units can trigger a commercial-nature assessment even if the recipient says they are not for sale.
Main costs you may face
Customs and additional customs duty
Rates vary by HS code, origin and preferential trade documentation. There is no single rate for every country or product.
VAT and excise where applicable
The VAT rate and any excise obligation depend on classification; one fixed percentage should not be applied to every shipment.
Freight and insurance
Transport costs to the place of entry in Türkiye can be added to customs value. The Ministry states that an imputed EUR 3 freight amount may apply to postal/express goods where freight is not separately shown.
Declaration and customs representation
Detailed declaration, HS classification, document preparation and representation can create service fees.
Storage, terminal and handling
Storage may accrue while cargo waits, alongside loading, unloading, weighing, examination and terminal charges.
Conformity and extra documents
Testing, surveillance, permits, health/origin documents, translations or laboratory costs may apply by product.
Final delivery
Transport from the airport or terminal to the final address is normally priced separately.
Prepare these before the shipment starts
- ✓ Commercial invoice or genuine proof of payment
- ✓ Packing list with package count, dimensions, net and gross weight
- ✓ Clear technical description, brand/model and intended use
- ✓ HS code and country of origin where available
- ✓ Transport document and freight amount
- ✓ Additional technical/conformity documents for used, battery-powered, chemical, food, cosmetic, medical or electronic goods
When does a larger volume make sense?
Bringing more units under a ‘personal’ label is not a safe cost-sharing strategy. As quantity grows, commercial nature, product-safety and normal-import obligations become more likely. A legitimate advantage can arise by consolidating several suppliers logistically while classifying the shipment under the correct commercial route from the beginning, preparing documents once and spreading fixed operating costs over a larger volume. This does not remove taxes; it may reduce per-unit logistics cost and avoidable errors.
Restricted or higher-risk product groups
Shoes, toys and leather goods were restricted from Türkiye’s simplified postal/express declaration route under a measure effective 20 October 2025. Used goods may also require permission or product-specific checks. Food, supplements, medicine, cosmetics, electronics, batteries and radio-enabled devices may trigger permits or additional controls. HS classification and product rules should be checked before purchase and transport begin.
What a professional logistics company can—and cannot—do
✓ Check documents and packing data before arrival
✓ Compare transport and consolidation alternatives
✓ Coordinate HS code and permit checks with a customs broker
✓ Track timing to reduce storage risk
✓ Make freight, terminal and final-delivery items visible
× Eliminate statutory taxes
× Turn commercial quantities into personal goods through wording
× Guarantee acceptance on behalf of customs or another authority
Frequently asked questions
Is there a EUR 430 tax-free limit for personal parcels?+
The EUR 430 allowance applies to qualifying non-commercial goods carried with a passenger; it does not apply to postal or express shipments.
Is every parcel under EUR 1,500 released easily?+
No. For qualifying personal, non-commercial goods up to EUR 1,500 and 30 kg gross, an operator may lodge a detailed declaration, but taxes, permits and other obligations still apply.
Is freight included in customs valuation?+
Transport to the place of entry in Türkiye is added to value. For postal/express goods, an imputed amount may apply when freight is not shown separately.
Does marking a parcel as a gift create an exemption?+
No. The Ministry expressly states that the passenger EUR 430 gift allowance does not apply to postal or express goods.
Will bringing more units reduce my cost?+
Per-unit logistics cost may fall for some commercial cargo, but higher quantity can make the shipment commercial. Calculate the economics under the correct import route.
Official sources and currency note
This article was prepared on 17 August 2026 using current explanations from the Republic of Türkiye Ministry of Trade. Tax rates, import communiqués and product restrictions can change. Before shipment, the HS code should be checked with an authorised customs broker and the relevant authority.
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