Move to Turkey with Purdie Worldwide
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Moving to Turkey can be an exciting and rewarding experience. However, it can also be a daunting process if you don’t know where to start. There are literally hundreds of international removal companies offering you varying prices and options for relocating to Turkey. So much so it can be very confusing, so in order to make your move to Turkey as smooth and stress-free as possible, check our handy guide below to help you with the moving process, featuring our good friends at Turkish Connextions!
Getting a Volume
The biggest stumbling block when moving anywhere in the world is calculating the volume of goods that need to be moved. This final volume figure not only determines the method of transport, but also how much it’s likely to cost you to move and relocate to your new home.
In order to get a final figure for the volume (usually in metres³ or ft³), you would have a surveyor come to your property, or perform a virtual survey using an application like WhatsApp or Zoom. During this process you show the surveyor round your property as he makes a list of the items to be moved and the items that are staying. Once the survey is complete, you’ll be given a volume measurement and some costs depending on your chosen method of transport.
Want to get ahead of the game? Download our app and send us a video survey directly, or book a survey with a surveyor at a time that suits you! Or are you looking to buy a property in Turkey? Why not try our Turkish partner Turkish Connextions for complete piece of mind when buying and moving abroad!
Moving to Turkey – Required Documents
As with any move abroad, there’s a lot of paperwork to complete before you can begin your move. Below is a list of the specific documents required when Moving to Turkey with used household goods and personal effects.
• Work permit
• Detailed inventory
• Original passport
• Letter to Customs
• Tax identification number (TIN)
• Original bill of lading (OBL) / air waybill (AWB)
• Marriage certificate (non – citizens coming for marriage)
• Rental contract / property title or deed (non – citizens)
• Turkish citizenship number (non – citizens / returning citizens)
• Permanent return certificate / export declaration form (returning citizens)
• Diplomatic franchise (diplomats)
• Letter of assignment (diplomats, government officials)
Moving to Turkey – Specific Information
• Only used goods may be imported (any new items will be taxed accordingly).
• The detailed inventory must include a description of each item in the shipment, including the brand name and serial numbers of electrical items (we include this as standard on our inventories).
• The shipment may contain no items packed by the owner (PBO).
• The names on the passport and original bill of lading (OBL) / air waybill (AWB) mustmatch identically.
• Customs clearance takes approximately 4 – 5 business days.
• For small air shipments entering by way of paid taxes, the owner of the goods 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 prior to owner of the goods’ arrival or no later than 6 months after the owner of the goods’ last entry into Turkey.
• For non – citizens coming to Turkey to marry, the shipment must arrive within 12months after or 2 months prior to the marriage date; the Turkish spouse must have resided in Turkey for the 12 months preceding the marriage date.
• Non – citizens must provide a list of entry and exit dates in last 2 years from nearest police headquarters.
• For non – citizens shipping by air, a residence permit or rental contract (valid for a minimum of 24 months) must be certified by a notary or the original of the property title or deed is required for permanent import.
Options for Non-Citizens Shipping into Turkey
The options for moving and shipping household goods into Turkey vary depending if you’re a Turkish citizen or not. If you’re not a Turkish citizen then you have 3 options to import your goods into the country:
Option 1) – The owner of the goods must present a copy of a rental contract for 12 months, certified by a notary, or an original property title / deed must be presented for permanent import.
Option 2) – If the owner of the goods does not have a rental contract or property title / deed with a work permit for temporary import and original residence permit, a deposit must be paid of approximately 30% above the total value of the shipment or a bank guarantee letter must be provided.
Option 3) – If the owner of the goods does not have a rental contract, property title / deed, work permit or residence permit, the owner of the goods must pay tax if the value of the shipment exceeds €1500 for permanent import of approximately 20%. The shipment must arrive within 30 days of the arrival of the owner of the goods.
Options for Turkish Citizens returning to Turkey
If you’re already an existing Turkish citizen returning to the country, then things are slightly different! Not only do you have to provide your spouse’s passport if you’re married, but you must also provide a list of entry and exit days from the last 3 years of your travels.
Returning citizens then have 4 options to choose from when moving back to Turkey with household goods:
Option 1) – The owner of the goods must present the original permanent return certificate from the nearest Turkish Consulate in the origin country indicating that the owner of the goods has resided in the country of origin for at least 2 years.
Option 2) – A copy of the export declaration form used to export the same shipment from Turkey previously.
Option 3) – 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 or approximately 20%.
Option 4) – A copy of the rental contract (minimum of 24 months), certified by a notary or an original property title / deed for permanent import is required.
Importing Vehicles into Turkey
Did you know that overtaking in Turkey is prohibited? Not only this, but they drive on the wrong side of the road compared to us Brits! However, if you do want to take your vehicle with you when moving to Turkey, then here’s what you need to have:
Documents Required:
• Passport
• Driver’s license
• Car registration
• Bill of lading / air waybill
• Proof of insurance (card) valid in Turkey
• Carnet de passage transit book (traveling to Middle Eastern countries)
• Permanent return certificate (returning Turkish citizens)
• Copy of work permit (non – citizens coming for work)
• Original residence permit (non – citizens coming for work)
• Diplomatic import per from Turkish Ministry (foreign diplomats)
• Official assignment letters (returning Turkish diplomats / government officials)
Specific Information
• Tax as per year and motor capacity is paid.
• Dual nationals have no right to import private car.
• Car owner must be present at customs for import application.
• Car must be less than 3 years old when it was bought at origin.
• The vehicles must arrive in Turkey 2 months prior or 6 months after owner of the goods’ last entry.
• Owners of the goods should apply for any extensions prior to the expiration of the approved period.
• U.S. driver’s licenses are accepted in Turkey for up to 90 days; longer stays require a notarized Turkish translation.
• If staying in Turkey for more than 12 months, a Turkish driver’s license must be obtained from the Turkish Security Directorate, Traffic Department.
• Non – citizens coming for work must provide a list of entry and exit dates in the last2 years obtained by the police.
• Only temporary import until expiry date of work and residence permit is possible.
• Deposit as per year and motor capacity of car is paid (non – citizens coming for work)
• Non – Citizens coming for marriage and Turkish citizens moving to Turkey without cancellation of abroad residency can not import vehicles
• Returning citizens must provide their spouse’s passport if they are married.
• If they are a bachelor they must provide their ID certificate from Registry Office
Bringing your Pet & Restricted Items in Turkey
Regardless if your pet is a cat, dog or budgie, then you must have it’s vaccination and health records to hand when importing them to Turkey. Unlike some countries who insist that your pets travel separately to yourself, Turkey allow your pets to enter the country as passenger’s in the cabin or in the cargo hold.
In terms of restricted items, Turkey only allows you to bring in a limit of 3 plants and 2 bottles of spirits up to 750ml each, or 5 bottles of perfume at 120ml maximum each.
Banned items in Turkey are similar to many other European countries, with all drugs and weapons banned, along with a complete ban on all meat-based products and gambling machines.
Move to Turkey with Purdie Worldwide
If you’re thinking about Moving to Turkey, have you considered where you’re moving too? Why not check out our Turkish property partners Turkish Connextions and find out what they have to offer? They’ve even got a Facebook page for all their most recent properties and offers!
In the mean-time why not get a quote for Moving to Turkey by filling out the form below?
Our Removal Quotes are totally free and come with no obligations!