Do I have to declare meat, meat products and dairy products at Turkey customs?

There is nothing to declare — meat, meat products and dairy products cannot be brought in at all. Declaring it does not make it admissible; it hands it over.

What happens if I do not declare meat, meat products and dairy products in Turkey?

Under Duyuru, 30 Eylül 2014: the goods are confiscated; the goods are destroyed.

Can I post or ship meat, meat products and dairy 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 meat, meat products and dairy products out of Turkey?

Turkey publishes no separate rule for taking meat, meat products and dairy products out; the destination's rules are what will apply.

Does the Turkey limit for meat, meat products and dairy 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 Kurban Etleri ve Diğer Hayvansal Ürünlerin Yurda Girişine İlişkin Duyuru. CarryRules last confirmed that sentence at the source on 2026-09-19.

How does Turkey compare with other countries on meat, meat products and dairy products?

Of the 21 countries covered here, 12 prohibit meat, meat products and dairy products, 8 limit it and 1 let it through. Turkey is among the strictest.

How much Meat, meat products and dairy products can I bring into Turkey?

Prohibited

You cannot bring Meat, meat products and dairy products into Turkey.

Carried Not allowed

Declaration Required — surrender

Limit No stated quantity

Post or courier prohibited

What you need to know

No stated quantity
Channels: Carried with the traveler, Post or courier

Important

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

Official sources disagree on this rule and the conflict is not yet resolved.

If you do not declare

Step 1: Confiscation, Destruction

Official sources

Last verified 2026-09-19

Kurban Etleri ve Diğer Hayvansal Ürünlerin Yurda Girişine İlişkin Duyuru T.C. Ticaret Bakanlığı (Ministry of Trade of the Republic of Türkiye)
Yolcu Muafiyetleri Sıkça Sorulan Sorular T.C. Ticaret Bakanlığı
Tebliğ 2012/11 (RG 01.02.2012) Resmî Gazete · Feb 1, 2012

Questions about Meat, meat products and dairy products in Turkey

How many meat, meat products and dairy products can I bring into Turkey?: meat, meat products and dairy products may not be brought into Turkey at all. The allowance is per traveller and cannot be pooled between people.
Do I have to declare meat, meat products and dairy products at Turkey customs?: There is nothing to declare — meat, meat products and dairy products cannot be brought in at all. Declaring it does not make it admissible; it hands it over.
What happens if I do not declare meat, meat products and dairy products in Turkey?: Under Duyuru, 30 Eylül 2014: the goods are confiscated; the goods are destroyed.
Can I post or ship meat, meat products and dairy 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 meat, meat products and dairy products out of Turkey?: Turkey publishes no separate rule for taking meat, meat products and dairy products out; the destination's rules are what will apply.
Does the Turkey limit for meat, meat products and dairy 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 Kurban Etleri ve Diğer Hayvansal Ürünlerin Yurda Girişine İlişkin Duyuru. CarryRules last confirmed that sentence at the source on 2026-09-19.
How does Turkey compare with other countries on meat, meat products and dairy products?: Of the 21 countries covered here, 12 prohibit meat, meat products and dairy products, 8 limit it and 1 let it through. Turkey is among the strictest.

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