Do I have to declare controlled/prescription medicine at Turkey customs?

Yes — it has to be declared to Turkey customs on arrival.

What happens if I do not declare controlled/prescription medicine 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 controlled/prescription medicine 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 controlled/prescription medicine out of Turkey?

Turkey publishes no separate rule for taking controlled/prescription medicine out; the destination's rules are what will apply.

Does the Turkey limit for controlled/prescription medicine 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 Şahsi Tedavi Amaçlı İlaç Gönderimi Duyurusu. CarryRules last confirmed that sentence at the source on 2026-09-16.

How does Turkey compare with other countries on controlled/prescription medicine?

Of the 20 countries covered here, 1 prohibit controlled/prescription medicine, 18 limit it and 1 let it through. Turkey is among the ones that set a limit.

How much Controlled/prescription medicine can I bring into Turkey?

Restricted

You can bring Controlled/prescription medicine into Turkey only within the stated limits.

Carried Limited

Declaration Above allowance

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 2026-09-16

Şahsi Tedavi Amaçlı İlaç Gönderimi Duyurusu Türkiye İlaç ve Tıbbi Cihaz Kurumu (TİTCK) · Mar 1, 2022

Questions about Controlled/prescription medicine in Turkey

Do I have to declare controlled/prescription medicine at Turkey customs?: Yes — it has to be declared to Turkey customs on arrival.
What happens if I do not declare controlled/prescription medicine 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 controlled/prescription medicine 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 controlled/prescription medicine out of Turkey?: Turkey publishes no separate rule for taking controlled/prescription medicine out; the destination's rules are what will apply.
Does the Turkey limit for controlled/prescription medicine 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 Şahsi Tedavi Amaçlı İlaç Gönderimi Duyurusu. CarryRules last confirmed that sentence at the source on 2026-09-16.
How does Turkey compare with other countries on controlled/prescription medicine?: Of the 20 countries covered here, 1 prohibit controlled/prescription medicine, 18 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

Controlled substances for personal medical use (schedules II-V) Dietary supplements and sports nutrition External-use medicine (personal use) Medicine containing stimulant raw materials Medicines containing narcotic or psychotropic substances Narcotic and psychotropic medicines