Kalkan Turkey Forum - EnjoyKalkan.com

The Owners Lounge => Buying A Property & Real Estate => Topic started by: mantha38 on April 12, 2011, 07:09:41 PM

Title: Importing household goods from the UK - customs implications
Post by: mantha38 on April 12, 2011, 07:09:41 PM

I am wondering if anyone can advise me? I have recently used Parcelforce Euro 48 to send five boxes of household items to Turkey. I filled in the commercial invoices as requested - the contents of the boxes were towels, bed linen, mugs, glasses, decorative items etc etc. I read with care the prohibited items - ie there were no scissors, cutlery included. The boxes were picked up from the UK no problem and were despatched to Turkey where they I believe are currently languishing in Istanbul. I suspect that I have fallen foul of customs - for what reason I know not. Has anyone had any previous experience of this? And if so what am I likely to have to pay get the good released? Presumably if I pay any relevant charges, the boxes will be sent on their way, or am I being a bit naive about all this? I am coming out to Kalkan at the end of the month and had hoped that all these items which were sent ahead of me would have been delivered by then. Any advice guidance gratefully received.
Sam

Title: Re: Importing household goods from the UK - customs implications
Post by: kevincat99 on April 12, 2011, 09:03:01 PM

Doesn't your shipper know why?

You normally have to pay customs duty and customs storeage charges and these storeage charges escalate the longer they are held

You also need residency to import goods into Turkey - do you have this ?

You need to find out from someone pdq

Title: Re: Importing household goods from the UK - customs implications
Post by: mantha38 on April 13, 2011, 09:13:08 AM

I have discovered that the boxes are at Antalya Customs.

When the boxes were taken there was no indication that I had to have residency or that customs charges would be made. They just took the money and the boxes. Having looked into this a little more I understood that if the value of the items was less than 1500 euros (which it is) then there shouldn't be a problem getting the goods into Turkey.

Where is Antalya customs? And is this normal procedure? I have tried ringing Antalya Customs but the person there spoke no English and did not understand me. I am hoping that I can get a nice Turkish friend to ring on my behalf to find out what the situation is. Stressful to say the least...