Turkey Customs Summary: What You Must Declare (2026)
Before packing your bags and flying to Turkey, it is essential to know the exact duty-free quotas and import bans enforced by the local customs authority (Ministry of Trade - Turkish Customs Administration (ticaret.gov.tr)).
Exceeding tobacco, alcohol, perfume, electronics, or foreign currency thresholds without declaring them at the red channel exposes you to immediate confiscation and heavy fines. Here are the verified 2026 regulations.
200 cigarettes AND 100 cigarillos (OR 50 cigars) AND 250g of pipe/rolling tobacco (adults 18+)
1 liter of spirits over 22% ABV OR 2 liters of alcoholic beverages up to 22% ABV (wine, beer)
No limit on foreign currency import upon arrival. When departing Turkey, mandatory declaration applies for cash exceeding $5,000 USD equivalent.
Official medical prescription stating the patient's name and dosage for all ongoing treatments.
1. Duty-Free Quotas for Tobacco, Alcohol & Perfume (Turkey)
Purchases made in airport Duty-Free shops remain subject to the arrival country's import limits:
- Tobacco Allowance: 200 cigarettes AND 100 cigarillos (OR 50 cigars) AND 250g of pipe/rolling tobacco (adults 18+)
- Alcohol Allowance: 1 liter of spirits over 22% ABV OR 2 liters of alcoholic beverages up to 22% ABV (wine, beer)
- Perfume & Gifts: Maximum 5 bottles (up to 120 ml each) of perfume and cologne — Non-commercial gifts and souvenirs up to a total value of €430 per adult traveler (€150 for under-15s).
2. Cash Declaration, Foreign Currency & Exchange Controls
No limit on foreign currency import upon arrival. When departing Turkey, mandatory declaration applies for cash exceeding $5,000 USD equivalent.
If you carry cash above the legal threshold, stop at the customs declaration counter in the arrival hall before exiting to obtain a stamped official receipt.
3. Strictly Prohibited Items: Drones, Vapes, Optics & Antiquities
Here is the official list of prohibited or strictly restricted goods when entering or leaving Turkey:
Airport X-ray scanners at arrivals immediately detect LiPo batteries and drones in both checked and cabin bags: never bring prohibited equipment without a prior permit.
4. Personal Medication & Airline Baggage Rules (Cabin vs Checked)
Official medical prescription stating the patient's name and dosage for all ongoing treatments.
Always pack lithium-ion powerbanks, laptops, cameras, and e-cigarettes in your carry-on cabin baggage.