Do I have to declare knives at Turkey customs?

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

What happens if I do not declare knives 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 knives 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 knives out of Turkey?

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

Can I carry knives in the cabin or in checked baggage?

In the cabin: Prohibited. In checked baggage: Allowed. This comes from National regulator, and an individual airline may be stricter. Customs and aviation are separate rulebooks: what an airline lets you carry is not what a border lets you bring in.

Does the Turkey limit for knives 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 Kabin Bagajında ve Uçakaltında Taşınabilecek Veya Yasaklı Olan Maddeler. CarryRules last confirmed that sentence at the source on 2026-09-19. The sentence it rests on reads: “Bıçak ve çatal takımları/Kalem Bıçaklar/Maket Bıçağı/Örgü ve mangal Şişleri/Tırnak makası, Törpü vb./Medikal kesici aletler ( neşter, bisturi vb.)/Çakı, sustalı çakı, çok amaçlı çakı/Seramik Bıçaklar”

How does Turkey compare with other countries on knives?

Of the 20 countries covered here, 4 prohibit knives, 14 limit it and 2 let it through. Turkey is among the ones that set a limit.

How much Knives can I bring into Turkey?

Restricted

You can bring Knives into Turkey only within the stated limits.

Cabin baggage Prohibited Source: National regulator

Checked baggage Allowed Source: National regulator

Declaration Above allowance

Limit No stated quantity

What you need to know

No stated quantity
Channels: Carried with the traveler

On the plane

National security rule

On person Not stated

Cabin baggage Prohibited

Checked baggage Allowed

Sivil Havacilik Genel Mudurlugu - Yolcular Icin / Kabin ve Kargo Bagajinda Tasinabilecek ve Tasinamayacak Maddeler Sivil Havacilik Genel Mudurlugu (SHGM), Turkiye

Last verified Sep 19, 2026

Report a mistake with this rule

Airline differences

Airline	Difference from the baseline
Air France	Stricter than the standard rule

Important

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

Official sources

Last verified 2026-09-19

Kabin Bagajında ve Uçakaltında Taşınabilecek Veya Yasaklı Olan Maddeler T.C. Ulaştırma ve Altyapı Bakanlığı — Sivil Havacılık Genel Müdürlüğü

Questions about Knives in Turkey

Do I have to declare knives at Turkey customs?: Yes — it has to be declared to Turkey customs on arrival.
What happens if I do not declare knives 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 knives 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 knives out of Turkey?: Turkey publishes no separate rule for taking knives out; the destination's rules are what will apply.
Can I carry knives in the cabin or in checked baggage?: In the cabin: Prohibited. In checked baggage: Allowed. This comes from National regulator, and an individual airline may be stricter. Customs and aviation are separate rulebooks: what an airline lets you carry is not what a border lets you bring in.
Does the Turkey limit for knives 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 Kabin Bagajında ve Uçakaltında Taşınabilecek Veya Yasaklı Olan Maddeler. CarryRules last confirmed that sentence at the source on 2026-09-19. The sentence it rests on reads: “Bıçak ve çatal takımları/Kalem Bıçaklar/Maket Bıçağı/Örgü ve mangal Şişleri/Tırnak makası, Törpü vb./Medikal kesici aletler ( neşter, bisturi vb.)/Çakı, sustalı çakı, çok amaçlı çakı/Seramik Bıçaklar”
How does Turkey compare with other countries on knives?: Of the 20 countries covered here, 4 prohibit knives, 14 limit it and 2 let it through. Turkey is among the ones that set a limit.

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