How to Ship to Turkey from the US
Turkey is a large, growing market straddling Europe and Asia, with over 85 million people and a rising middle class. US goods including electronics, branded apparel, supplements, and specialty products are popular. Turkey is NOT an EU member but has a customs union agreement with the EU for industrial goods — though US shipments are subject to Turkish customs rules separately.
Turkish VAT (KDV) is 20% on most goods. Turkey's de minimis threshold for customs duties is 30 EUR (~$33 USD) for gifts and 1,500 EUR for commercial imports — but Turkish customs applies VAT and special consumption tax (ÖTV) on electronics and luxury goods even below this threshold. Turkish customs can be strict — accurate documentation is essential.
Typical 1 lb cost
$22-$40 USD
Typical transit
5-14 business days
Carrier Options to Turkey
USPS Priority Mail International
7-14 business days. Final delivery by PTT (Turkish Post). Can face customs delays.
DHL Express Worldwide
3-5 business days. Strong Turkey coverage. Better customs handling than postal channels.
UPS Worldwide Expedited
4-6 business days. Reliable for commercial shipments to Istanbul and Ankara.
FedEx International Priority
3-5 business days. Good for higher-value packages requiring reliable clearance.
Customs Forms Required
CN22 for items under $400 USD. CN23 + commercial invoice for items over $400. Accurate HS codes and detailed descriptions are especially important for Turkey.
Commonly Prohibited Items
- ✕Firearms and weapons without Turkish government permits
- ✕Narcotics and controlled substances
- ✕Counterfeit goods
- ✕Certain food products without Turkish Ministry of Agriculture approval
- ✕Printed materials or media deemed offensive under Turkish law
- ✕Goods infringing Turkish trademark law
Turkey-Specific Shipping Tips
- 💡 Turkish customs is strict — provide detailed, accurate descriptions in English or Turkish and correct HS codes
- 💡 Electronics face Special Consumption Tax (ÖTV) of 25% in addition to 20% VAT — recipients may owe significant charges
- 💡 Turkish postal codes are 5 digits (e.g., 34000 for Istanbul); always include them
- 💡 DHL and UPS handle Turkish customs more efficiently than PTT postal channels
- 💡 Keep package value under 30 EUR for gifts to potentially avoid duty — but customs retains discretion
Frequently asked questions
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