Job Discussion Forums

La Reve · Joined: 30 Jun 2012 Posts: 75 Location: Ici

I'm entering Turkey on a legal university work visa.... Do I have to pay taxes on my household goods: books, clothes, DVDs, my own oil paintings, recliner chair, etc.? (NOT lots of furniture, more likely 'stuff'.)

Qaaolchoura · Posted: Wed Jul 11, 2012 6:38 pm Post subject:

You don't have to declare any of that if it's in your luggage except possibly the chair (which wouldn't fit in your luggage anyways).

Anything with a value over a certain amount (I think it's 200 lira), you have to declare, though not necessarily pay customs. I don't know the exact details, but I do know that I tried to ship a small package with a value less than that amount, and when customs decided they wanted to open it the Turkish FedEx affiliate wanted 150 lira to give them power of attorney for them to handle it, and wouldn't let me handle it myself. Since the value of everything in the package was about 40 dollars I ended up abandoning it, figuring that what I can't replace in Turkey I can do without. (I ended up replacing all of it for about 70 lira here.)

It might be worth it if you're shipping a lot, like in a crate, but I'd discuss this with your shipping company in advance.

Regards,
~Q

La Reve · Joined: 30 Jun 2012 Posts: 75 Location: Ici

No, Q, I'm not just bringing in two suitcases. I stored all my 'stuff' for 14 years while teaching overseas and have been living with it all since 2005. It does provide a sense of relaxation: writings from earlier (tried to put most on computer); my own oil paintings, CDs, DVDs, rugs, office supplies, etc. Stuff that when you constantly have to shop for in a new country is stressful to find, and becomes costly, no matter where you move.

I'm older and closer to retirement age, which, eventually, I hope to retire in a warmer part of Turkey, so my stuff involves a mover, customs, etc.

I am leaving behind bookcases, an exercise bike and TV, so it's not like EVERYTHING is coming.

Did you ever try and find black-out curtains? I need them for the bedroom since I'm sensitive to light. I'm bringing my own. And I like living with my oil paintings and want to fill up the blank canvasses I have.

So, do you think the Turkish authorities are going to confiscate everything? Or charge me thousands of dollars?

Eagle Eyes · Joined: 26 Apr 2012 Posts: 121 Location: Istanbul

Be careful how many dollars you bring into Turkey..you will have to declare it at customs...if it is over $10,000 in currency you will have to declare it or it might be taken away from you! Shocked

La Reve · Joined: 30 Jun 2012 Posts: 75 Location: Ici

Dollars in currency..... I doubt I'll have $10,000 but if I'm lucky, can I bring $10,000 in a cashier's check - not cash?

Qaaolchoura · Posted: Thu Jul 12, 2012 10:57 am Post subject: Re: Turkish Customs

La Reve · Joined: 30 Jun 2012 Posts: 75 Location: Ici

Q, since you've been so wonderful answering my many questions, perhaps I can offer you one of my black out curtains. I bought the material, then took another year before having them made, and I don't use all of them.

I'm in Oman..... and just trying to ship things from here - without an address in Turkey, and living in a remote place where I can't hire packers, then having to estimate how much stuff weighs.... but I think I have it under control now.

The wonderful thing - whoops, can't remember if it was Taiwan or Korea now - but the post office would have huge pieces of cardboard and would literally take what was to be mailed and before your eyes, cut up the cardboard and package the stuff for mailing! It's pretty amazing how some differences are wonderful in different countries.

Qaaolchoura · Posted: Fri Jul 13, 2012 8:48 am Post subject:

La Reve: I appreciate the offer, but at the moment I'm living in a hotel and wouldn't have a place to hang them. I'm not sure where I'll be working yet, though I'm in talks with a couple places.

Thanks and regards,
~Q

Yogita · Joined: 17 Jun 2012 Posts: 53 Location: Turkey

La Reve once everything fits in your suitcases you'll be fine. You may have to pay for extra weight & the furniture. When I came through last I had some food stuff like; curry, spices, scotch bonnet plant seeds, home-made pickled stuff & my friend came with her dog & child plus a car-seat & stroller.

We just landed, got our luggage, got stamped & was outside on our way to get a cab. The dog had a health certificate & was considered as checked in luggage, so she just got him & we left. I'm honestly telling you don't be scared you can bring in anything expect weapons, drugs & meat of course. Just check-in everything.

safe trip!

Eagle Eyes · Joined: 26 Apr 2012 Posts: 121 Location: Istanbul

Be extremely careful when bringing money into Turkey..you maybe interrogated if it is over $10,000 in currency. Also you may have to hand it over to customs if they suspect you are money laundering! Shocked

Yogita · Joined: 17 Jun 2012 Posts: 53 Location: Turkey

La Reve are you in Turkey yet?
If not, has anyone else noticed that when the plane lands, all the Turkish people start clapping? LOL Laughing

it's the funniest thing ever.

Sashadroogie · Posted: Tue Jul 31, 2012 12:45 pm Post subject:

Russians clap too. If you look at a country's safety record, you might see the point of it.

Yogita · Joined: 17 Jun 2012 Posts: 53 Location: Turkey

^oh my I didn't know that. The first time it happened I was totally caught off guard with this loud roaring round of applause. It was so funny Mr. Green

sixthchild · Joined: 18 Apr 2012 Posts: 298 Location: East of Eden

Clearly you need to travel THY more often!!

Yogita · Joined: 17 Jun 2012 Posts: 53 Location: Turkey

^ clearly lol ... most of my travels have been South America, the Caribbean & UK.