What happens if I do not declare animal, plant, fruit, vegetable, seafood and food products in Turkey?

Under Gümrükler Genel Müdürlüğü Genelge 2020/7, page 2: the goods are held until you leave the country; the goods are destroyed. Under Gümrük Kanunu 4458, Madde 235/3, if the goods are found without being declared: duty is charged at 2 times the normal rate and the goods are released once it is paid; the goods are confiscated. Under Kaçakçılıkla Mücadele Kanunu 5607, Madde 3/1, if it is treated as smuggling: it carries between 1 and 5 years of imprisonment; the goods are confiscated.

Can I post or ship animal, plant, fruit, vegetable, seafood and food products to Turkey instead of carrying it?

Not under this allowance. It covers goods a traveller carries; a parcel is an import and is assessed under the postal rules instead. Baggage sent before or after you travels under the same allowance.

Where does this rule come from?

Ticaret Bakanlığı Gümrükler Genel Müdürlüğü states it in Yolcu Beraberi. CarryRules last confirmed that sentence at the source on 2026-09-19. The sentence it rests on reads: “Bu kurallara uygun olmayan tüm hayvansal ürünler Türkiye'ye varışlarında resmi bertaraf için teslim edilmelidir. Bu ürünleri beyan etmemek para cezası veya ceza soruşturması ile sonuçlanabilir.”

How does Turkey compare with other countries on animal, plant, fruit, vegetable, seafood and food products?

Of the 20 countries covered here, 0 prohibit animal, plant, fruit, vegetable, seafood and food products, 19 limit it and 1 let it through. Turkey is among the ones that set a limit.

How much Animal, plant, fruit, vegetable, seafood and food products can I bring into Turkey?

Declare

You can bring Animal, plant, fruit, vegetable, seafood and food products into Turkey, but you must declare it.

Carried Allowed, declare

Declaration Required

Limit No stated quantity

What you need to know

No stated quantity
Channels: Carried with the traveler

Important

This allowance applies per person, not per family or group.

Official sources

Last verified 2026-09-19

Yolcu Beraberi T.C. Tarım ve Orman Bakanlığı — Tekirdağ Limanı Veteriner Sınır Kontrol Noktası Müdürlüğü

Questions about Animal, plant, fruit, vegetable, seafood and food products in Turkey

Do I have to declare animal, plant, fruit, vegetable, seafood and food products at Turkey customs?: Yes — it has to be declared to Turkey customs on arrival.
What happens if I do not declare animal, plant, fruit, vegetable, seafood and food products in Turkey?: Under Gümrükler Genel Müdürlüğü Genelge 2020/7, page 2: the goods are held until you leave the country; the goods are destroyed. Under Gümrük Kanunu 4458, Madde 235/3, if the goods are found without being declared: duty is charged at 2 times the normal rate and the goods are released once it is paid; the goods are confiscated. Under Kaçakçılıkla Mücadele Kanunu 5607, Madde 3/1, if it is treated as smuggling: it carries between 1 and 5 years of imprisonment; the goods are confiscated.
Can I post or ship animal, plant, fruit, vegetable, seafood and food products to Turkey instead of carrying it?: Not under this allowance. It covers goods a traveller carries; a parcel is an import and is assessed under the postal rules instead. Baggage sent before or after you travels under the same allowance.
Can I take animal, plant, fruit, vegetable, seafood and food products out of Turkey?: Turkey publishes no separate rule for taking animal, plant, fruit, vegetable, seafood and food products out; the destination's rules are what will apply.
Does the Turkey limit for animal, plant, fruit, vegetable, seafood and food products apply per person or per family?: Per person. Each traveller carries their own allowance and it cannot be pooled with anyone else's.
Where does this rule come from?: Ticaret Bakanlığı Gümrükler Genel Müdürlüğü states it in Yolcu Beraberi. CarryRules last confirmed that sentence at the source on 2026-09-19. The sentence it rests on reads: “Bu kurallara uygun olmayan tüm hayvansal ürünler Türkiye'ye varışlarında resmi bertaraf için teslim edilmelidir. Bu ürünleri beyan etmemek para cezası veya ceza soruşturması ile sonuçlanabilir.”
How does Turkey compare with other countries on animal, plant, fruit, vegetable, seafood and food products?: Of the 20 countries covered here, 0 prohibit animal, plant, fruit, vegetable, seafood and food products, 19 limit it and 1 let it through. Turkey is among the ones that set a limit.

Related items

Accompanied cash Accompanying goods, non-commercial (flat-rate band) Agricultural/forestry/fishery/livestock products (general sub-cap) Alcohol and alcoholic beverages above 22% vol (or undenatured ethyl alcohol 80% vol and over)

Related countries

Australia Canada China France

Other items in this group

Agricultural/forestry/fishery/livestock products (general sub-cap) Cut flowers and wreaths Eggs Fish and other fishery products Food, plant and animal products under agency control Fruits and vegetables