Do I have to declare companion animals at Turkey customs?

Only above the allowance. Up to 2 pets (companion animals) there is nothing to declare; beyond it you take the goods through the red channel and pay the duty.

What happens if I do not declare companion animals 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.

Do duty-free purchases count toward the Turkey allowance for companion animals?

Yes. What you buy in an arrival duty-free shop comes out of the same allowance, so the shop does not add to what you may already be carrying.

Can I post or ship companion animals 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 companion animals out of Turkey?

Turkey publishes no separate rule for taking companion animals out; the destination's rules are what will apply.

Does the Turkey limit for companion animals 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 beraberinde kaç adet evcil hayvan gümrük vergilerinde muaf olarak Türkiye’ye getirilebilir?. CarryRules last confirmed that sentence at the source on 2026-09-19. The sentence it rests on reads: “Evcil hayvanlardan toplam 2 adet veya 10 akvaryum balığının gümrük vergilerinden muaf olarak Türkiye’ye getirilmesi mümkündür.”

How does Turkey compare with other countries on companion animals?

Of the 20 countries covered here, 0 prohibit companion animals, 20 limit it and 0 let it through. Turkey is among the ones that set a limit.

How many companion animals can I bring into Turkey?

Official classification: Pets (companion animals)

Restricted

You can bring companion animals into Turkey only within the stated limits.

Cabin baggage —

Checked baggage —

Declaration Above allowance

Limit 2 piece

What you need to know

2 piece
Channels: Carried with the traveler
2 piece
Channels: Carried with the traveler

Important

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

Official sources

Last verified 2026-09-19

Yolcu beraberinde kaç adet evcil hayvan gümrük vergilerinde muaf olarak Türkiye’ye getirilebilir? T.C. Ticaret Bakanlığı — Gümrük Rehberi
Hangi evcil hayvanlar yolcu beraberinde Türkiye’ye getirilebilir? T.C. Ticaret Bakanlığı — Gümrük Rehberi

Questions about Pets (companion animals) in Turkey

How many companion animals can I bring into Turkey?: Turkey allows 2 pets (companion animals) per traveller. Above that the goods are treated as an import and duty becomes payable. The allowance is per traveller and cannot be pooled between people.
Do I have to declare companion animals at Turkey customs?: Only above the allowance. Up to 2 pets (companion animals) there is nothing to declare; beyond it you take the goods through the red channel and pay the duty.
What happens if I do not declare companion animals 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.
Do duty-free purchases count toward the Turkey allowance for companion animals?: Yes. What you buy in an arrival duty-free shop comes out of the same allowance, so the shop does not add to what you may already be carrying.
Can I post or ship companion animals 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 companion animals out of Turkey?: Turkey publishes no separate rule for taking companion animals out; the destination's rules are what will apply.
Does the Turkey limit for companion animals 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 beraberinde kaç adet evcil hayvan gümrük vergilerinde muaf olarak Türkiye’ye getirilebilir?. CarryRules last confirmed that sentence at the source on 2026-09-19. The sentence it rests on reads: “Evcil hayvanlardan toplam 2 adet veya 10 akvaryum balığının gümrük vergilerinden muaf olarak Türkiye’ye getirilmesi mümkündür.”
How does Turkey compare with other countries on companion animals?: Of the 20 countries covered here, 0 prohibit companion animals, 20 limit it and 0 let it through. Turkey is among the ones that set a limit.

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