Border Procedures and Duty Free Allowance at Istanbul (Atatürk) International Airport

The border procedures at the Istanbul International Airports are not that complicated but follow strict rules. And if you’re a duty free fan, you’ll love Turkey. After you shopped duty free prior to boarding the plane, you’re also allowed to buy duty free goods after arriving in Istanbul. Although I’ve never been asked by the customs to open my suitcases, you better stick to the rules. So, if you don’t want to waste time at either check-point, follow the guidelines below.

Duty Free Allowance for Items Purchased Abroad

• 200 cigarettes plus 10 cigars plus 200 grams of tobacco to include cigarette papers OR 200 grams of pipe tobacco OR 50 grams of snuff OR 200 grams of chewing tobacco.
• 1 liter bottle of wines or spirits OR 2 x 70 cl bottle of wines or spirits.
• 5 bottles of perfume not exceeding 120 ml each.
• 1 kg of coffee beans
• 1 kg of instant coffee
• 500 gr of tea
• 1 kg of chocolate (1kg).
• personal gifts to the maximum value of €300 and €145 for those under 15.

Please note: that you must be over 18 years of age to carry duty free goods.

Duty Free Allowance for Items Purchased at Airport Arrival Hall

In addition to the items above, you can buy the following goods in the duty free shops in the arrival hall:

• 400 cigarettes
• 100 cigars
• 500 gr of pipe tobacco

Duty free allowances change, so please check before you travel or ask the staff of the duty free shops.

Further Recommended Reading

1. Visa Requirements and Procedures for Istanbul, Turkey
2. Istanbul Money Strategy: Cash Or Credit Card?
3. Istanbul Sales, When Does It Start and Stop