Leaving Turkey: what can you take out?

Leaving Turkey has rules too: antiques that are cultural property cannot leave the country, gold and jewellery above 15,000 US dollars need documents, and cash above a certain amount must be declared. Non-residents can claim back the VAT on their shopping when they leave.

The short version

Topic	Rule	Details
Antiques, historical artefacts	Movable cultural property that must be protected cannot be taken out of Turkey.	Antiques page
Carpets and kilims	Pieces that qualify as cultural property fall under the ban. For pieces allowed to leave, a museum expert report is issued and the carpet is sealed with a lead seal.	Below
Gold and jewellery	Your own, non-commercial jewellery worth up to 15,000 US dollars is free to take out. Above that, you need an entry declaration or proof of purchase in Turkey.	Below
Cash	Cash above 185,000 TL or 10,000 EUR (or the equivalent) must be declared; cash carried for certain purposes can only leave through banks.	Cash page
Duty-free	When leaving you may buy three times the passenger allowance; your destination country's rules also apply.	Duty-free allowance
VAT refund	Non-residents can get back the VAT on goods bought at participating shops.	Tax-free guide

Antiques and historical artefacts

Under Article 32 of Law No. 2863 on the Protection of Cultural and Natural Property, movable cultural and natural property that must be protected in Turkey cannot be taken out of the country. Article 23 of the Law defines this broadly: works from historical periods with documentary value; coins, manuscripts, paintings, sculptures; tiles, pottery, glass, wood, textiles and similar items; and ethnographic items reflecting the social life of the people. Taking such items out without permission is an offence under Article 68 of the same Law.

Carpets and kilims

Carpets and kilims are not named separately in the Law; whether a piece is cultural property depends on its age and ethnographic value. According to the Ministry of Culture and Tourism's museum guide, for imitation or ethnographic items that are allowed to leave the country and are not cultural property, a museum expert report is issued, and carpets and kilims that have been examined are sealed with a lead seal in a visible place.

If you buy an old-looking carpet or kilim, asking the seller for the invoice together with the museum expert report and the seal helps avoid problems at departure. If you buy a new carpet at a participating shop, you can also claim the VAT back when you leave: tax-free.

Gold and jewellery

According to the Ministry of Trade's guide, travellers may bring into and take out of Turkey their own jewellery made of precious metals and stones, worth up to 15,000 US dollars and not for commercial purposes. Taking out jewellery of higher value requires that it was declared on entry or that you can document it was bought in Turkey. Legal basis: Decision No. 32 on the Protection of the Value of Turkish Currency.

If you buy gold or jewellery in Turkey, keeping the invoice lets you show that document.

Cash

When leaving Turkey, cash above 185,000 TL in Turkish currency or 10,000 EUR (or the equivalent) in foreign currency must be declared to customs; the declaration is free. Cash carried for certain purposes — such as inheritance, the sale of real estate, gifts or debt payments — cannot be taken out by a traveller at any amount and may only be transferred through banks. Details: cash and gold page.

Frequently asked questions

How much gold can I take out of Turkey?

You can freely take out your own, non-commercial jewellery worth up to 15,000 US dollars. Jewellery of higher value requires an entry declaration or proof that it was bought in Turkey.

Can I take a carpet or kilim out of Turkey?

Pieces that qualify as cultural property cannot leave Turkey. For imitation or ethnographic items that are allowed to leave, a museum expert report is issued and carpets and kilims are sealed with a lead seal; if you buy an old-looking piece, ask for the report and the seal.

Can I take antiques out of Turkey?

Movable cultural and natural property that must be protected cannot be taken out of Turkey (Law No. 2863, Art. 32); doing so without permission is an offence under Article 68 of the same Law.

How much cash can I take when leaving Turkey?

There is no upper limit, but cash above 185,000 TL or 10,000 EUR (or the equivalent) must be declared to customs. Cash carried for purposes such as inheritance, the sale of real estate or gifts may only leave through banks.