Turkey
Key advice
Your used dive photography equipment enters freely as personal effects and is not subject to the 430 EUR duty-free allowance. For professional gear or to secure the return of expensive equipment to Turkey, an ATA Carnet is fully accepted. Non-Europeans may face up to 60% duties on the excess if the equipment is deemed commercial or new.
- Customs authority
- General Directorate of Customs - Ministry of Trade (Türkiye)
- Personal duty-free allowance
- 430 EUR (~469 USD) pour achats/cadeaux; effets personnels usagés admis sans limite de valeur
- ATA Carnet
- Accepted
- Official website
- gtb.gov.tr ↗
Practical scenarios
You're traveling to Turkey with a GoPro Hero 11 and its underwater housing, valued at approximately 600 €. At Turkish customs, present your equipment as used personal effects. There are generally no formalities or taxes to pay for this type of personal, everyday equipment. The risk is minimal, unless the equipment appears new and in large quantities, which could suggest commercial intent. Keep proof of purchase if the equipment is very new.
You're arriving in Turkey with an APS-C mirrorless camera (e.g., Sony A6600) and a Nauticam housing, with a total value of 3,500 €. Declare it as used personal equipment. Although the value exceeds the 430 EUR allowance for purchases, your equipment is considered personal effects. If a customs officer questions the value, explain that it is your personal dive equipment. Using an ATA Carnet is possible for maximum peace of mind, but not strictly necessary for used and clearly personal gear.
You're entering Turkey with a complete system (Nikon Z8, Subal housing, lenses) valued at 12,000 €. For this level of equipment, it is highly recommended to use an ATA Carnet. This proves that the equipment is for temporary admission and will be re-exported. Without an ATA Carnet, you risk in-depth questions about value and use. Although considered personal effects, the high value can raise doubts about non-commercial use, potentially leading to demands for a security deposit or high taxes (up to 60% for non-EU citizens) if the equipment is perceived as new or professional without proper declaration.
Frequently asked questions
Is my used underwater photography equipment subject to the 430 EUR allowance in Turkey?
No, your used underwater photography equipment is generally considered personal effects and is not subject to the 430 EUR allowance. This allowance primarily applies to purchases and gifts. As long as the equipment is clearly for your personal, non-commercial use, it should enter freely.
Do I need to declare my expensive dive photography gear upon arrival in Turkey?
For high-value equipment, it is strongly advisable to declare it, especially if you do not have an ATA Carnet. This helps avoid misunderstandings upon entry and, more importantly, upon exiting the country, proving that you did not purchase the equipment in Turkey. A detailed list of your equipment can be helpful.
Where can I find official information on Turkish customs regulations?
For more information, consult the official website directly: https://www.gtb.gov.tr/en. This site provides the most up-to-date guidelines regarding temporary import and personal effects in Turkey.