Can you bring supplements and protein powder into Turkey?
Rules for protein powder, whey, creatine, vitamins, omega and other food supplements. As a passenger they fall under the 430 EUR allowance; by post or courier they can arrive up to 1,500 EUR with a prescription or medical report after paying a flat-rate duty.
Bringing it with you
They can be brought in personal-use quantities and fall under the 430 EUR gift allowance. The contents may be inspected.
Example: on goods worth 800 EUR, the first 430 EUR is exempt. On the remaining 370 EUR the flat-rate duty is 30% (111 EUR) for goods coming directly from the EU and 60% (222 EUR) from other countries. For travellers under 15 the allowance is 150 EUR; a single item worth more than 1,500 EUR is subject to the normal import duties.
Documents
- Product label / ingredients list
Good to know
- Shipments that look commercial are not exempt.
- Products containing controlled substances require a separate permit.
Legal basis: Decision 2009/15481, Art. 61 · Law No. 5996
Sending it by post or courier
Food supplements and sports foods can arrive after paying a flat-rate duty, provided their value does not exceed 1,500 EUR and documents are presented.
Documents
- Medical report from a health institution / doctor's report / prescription
- For national athletes: National Athlete Certificate + licence with the season's visa
Good to know
- The report or prescription must have been issued within the past year; a new one is not needed for each shipment.
- If it arrives in the name of a relative of the person named on the report, entry is allowed on the written statements of both people.
- Without the documents the shipment is not released.
- Above 30 kg gross the courier cannot file the declaration; you must file it yourself.
Legal basis: Decision 2009/15481, Art. 62/1 · Law No. 5996, Art. 3 · Turkish Food Codex Communiqué 2003/42
Frequently asked questions
Can I bring supplements into Turkey as a passenger?
Yes, with conditions. They can be brought in personal-use quantities and fall under the 430 EUR gift allowance. The contents may be inspected.
Can supplements be sent to Turkey by post or courier?
Yes, with conditions. Food supplements and sports foods can arrive after paying a flat-rate duty, provided their value does not exceed 1,500 EUR and documents are presented.
How much customs duty do I pay on supplements?
As a passenger, there is no duty up to 430 EUR (150 EUR for travellers under 15). Above that, up to 1,500 EUR, a flat-rate duty applies: 30% for goods coming directly from the EU, 60% from other countries. By post or courier, with the required documents and up to 1,500 EUR, a flat-rate duty of 30% (EU) or 60% (other countries) applies.
What documents do I need for supplements?
As a passenger: Product label / ingredients list. By post or courier: Medical report from a health institution / doctor's report / prescription, For national athletes: National Athlete Certificate + licence with the season's visa.
Brands covered by this rule
Optimum Nutrition, Myprotein, Bulk, GNC, Solgar, Now Foods, Muscletech, Dymatize, BSN, Hardline, Ostrovit, Nutrend
Related topics
Rules as of · for information only, not a substitute for the legislation · official information: Turkish Ministry of Trade, call 175 · Türkçe sürüm