Moving to Turkey from the United States

Türkiye customs (Gümrük ve Ticaret Bakanlığı) releases household effects duty- and VAT-free when the applicant qualifies under the Transfer of Residence (ToR) regime. The file below travels with the shipment and is reviewed by the destination clearance officer — missing or inconsistent paperwork is the single most common cause of hold inspections and storage fees.

• Taşınma Beyannamesi (household-removal declaration)

  Required for every move

  Turkish customs declaration for household effects. Used personal items owned >6 months and imported within 6 months of the holder establishing residence in Türkiye qualify for duty-free treatment.

• Valid passport + ikamet tezkeresi

  Required for every move

  Non-Turkish citizens need a residence permit (ikamet tezkeresi) from DGMM. Returning Turkish citizens with 24+ months of foreign residence qualify for the most generous exemption (kesin dönüş).

• Yabancı Kimlik Numarası (foreign ID) or TC Kimlik

  Required for every move

  Turkish foreigner identification number (99-prefixed) or TC citizenship number. Required on the import declaration and for banking, utilities, and day-to-day transactions.

• Yerleşim Yeri Belgesi (address certificate)

  Required for every move

  Turkish address-registration certificate from the Nüfus Müdürlüğü or e-Devlet. Customs cross-checks this against the declaration to confirm residence.

• Bill of lading / air waybill

  Required for every move

  Ocean BOL or air waybill matching the inventory. Turkish customs is strict on weight and piece-count reconciliation.

• Detailed inventory in Turkish and English

  Required for every move

  Itemized list with USD declared values. Carpets, antiques, and art pieces are declared on separate lines.

Turkish routing splits by region: Istanbul and Ankara are served through Ambarlı; İzmir through Aliağa; Antalya and Mediterranean destinations through Mersin.

• 

  Istanbul · Istanbul Province

  Primary destination. Loads discharge at Ambarlı on the European side or Kumport, then truck to the final address. Kadıköy, Üsküdar, and other Asian-side addresses add a bridge crossing fee.

  Transit

  22–28 days

  2-BR range

  $10,000 – $16,000

  Origin lane: Port of NY/NJ → Ambarlı · short road

• 

  Ankara · Ankara Province

  Capital of Türkiye. Loads discharge at Ambarlı and truck 5 hours east, or via Mersin for Mediterranean routings.

  Transit

  23–30 days

  2-BR range

  $10,100 – $16,200

  Origin lane: Port of NY/NJ → Ambarlı · road to Ankara

• 

  İzmir · İzmir Province

  Aegean-coast metro. Loads discharge at Aliağa (30 km north of the city) — fast final mile to İzmir and the surrounding Aegean coast.

  Transit

  22–30 days

  2-BR range

  $10,000 – $16,100

  Origin lane: Port of NY/NJ → Aliağa · short road

• 

  Antalya · Antalya Province

  Mediterranean-coast city and major retirement / expat hub. Loads discharge at Mersin and truck 5 hours west.

  Transit

  23–31 days

  2-BR range

  $10,200 – $16,300

  Origin lane: Port of NY/NJ → Mersin · road to Antalya

Frequently asked questions about moving to Turkey

Short, answer-first responses to the questions we get most often.

Is moving to Türkiye from the USA duty-free?

Generally yes — used personal effects imported under the Transfer of Residence (ToR) framework are exempt from import duty and VAT, provided you (a) are establishing residence in Türkiye, (b) have owned and used the goods for at least 6–12 months, and (c) keep the goods for personal use for a holding period (commonly 12 months). New-in-box items, vehicles, alcohol, and tobacco are always assessed separately.

How long does shipping to Türkiye take?

Ocean transit from U.S. East Coast ports to North Sea / English Channel ports typically runs 12–18 days; Mediterranean destinations add another 4–7 days. Air freight of a few cartons can deliver in 5–9 days but costs 3–5× ocean freight. Customs clearance at destination typically adds 3–7 business days after discharge.

Do I need to be present when my shipment clears customs?

No — our destination partner in Türkiye acts on your behalf under a signed power of attorney. Your passport copy, residency proof, and inventory must already be on file. You should be reachable by phone in case a customs officer requests clarification on a specific line item.

Can I ship a vehicle to Türkiye with my household goods?

Sometimes. Türkiye-specific vehicle rules (emissions, homologation, age, left-hand vs right-hand drive) vary significantly and often make vehicle import impractical or uneconomic. We always quote vehicle import separately from household goods and confirm eligibility before booking.

What items are restricted or prohibited?

Firearms and ammunition require advance declaration and permits in almost every European country. Fresh produce, seeds, plants, and soil face EU agricultural restrictions. Large quantities of tobacco, alcohol, or the same new-in-box item are treated as commercial goods and attract duty. Ivory and CITES-listed products are prohibited.

How much does a move to Türkiye typically cost?

Most full-service household moves land in a wide band. A studio / 1-BR from a nearby U.S. port starts around $4,500–$7,000; a full 3-BR+ household can reach $16,000–$24,000 for continental European destinations, higher for Nordic or island lanes. Port pair and final-mile access are the biggest cost drivers.

How far in advance should I book?

Start residency / visa paperwork 10–12 weeks before your target move. Book origin pickup 4–6 weeks out. Peak season is May–August and December; secure a slot earlier if you need those windows. Brexit-era UK clearance in particular benefits from extra buffer.

What is kesin dönüş and who qualifies?

Kesin dönüş ("definitive return") is the most generous customs category, available to Turkish citizens who have lived abroad continuously for 24+ months and are permanently returning. The duty-free allowance for household goods is broader than the standard ikamet-based category.

Do I need an ikamet tezkeresi before my shipment arrives?

Yes — the residence permit is the primary document proving you are establishing residence in Türkiye. Apply at the consulate or DGMM well before your container sails; processing currently runs 4–8 weeks.

Can I ship a vehicle to Türkiye?

Turkish car-import rules are strict and vehicles imported privately outside the kesin-dönüş category attract heavy duty (ÖTV + KDV). Age limits and emission-standard checks apply. We always quote vehicles separately and confirm eligibility before booking.