Ministry responds to claims regarding shopping from abroad

The Ministry of Trade has issued a statement regarding claims that have recently surfaced in the public domain suggesting that "new restrictions have been imposed on products brought from abroad." The Ministry announced that the exemption provisions and limits for goods brought into the country by passengers have been applied in the same manner for many years and that no new regulations have been introduced recently.

"CLAIMS DO NOT REFLECT THE TRUTH"

In the statement made by the Ministry, it was noted that some media outlets and social media platforms have featured posts that do not reflect the truth regarding changes to exemption practices for goods brought by passengers.

The statement recalled that the exemptions in question are regulated by the Council of Ministers Decision No. 2009/15481.

The Ministry of Trade stated that each passenger may bring the following for personal use, tax-free:

1 kilogram of tea,

1 kilogram of instant coffee,

1 kilogram of coffee,

1 kilogram of chocolate,

1 kilogram of sugar-based food

can be brought.

Furthermore, it was stated that passengers may use their total 2-kilogram allowance for chocolate or sugar-based foods for only one of these products if they wish.

It was conveyed that, excluding transit passengers, non-commercial goods brought for personal or family use, or as gifts, are also considered within the scope of the exemption.

LIMITS ON FRUITS AND VEGETABLES REMINDED

In the statement, the limits to be applied to plant products brought for consumption as gifts by passengers were shared once again.

Accordingly;

Up to 3 kilograms for fresh and dried fruits and vegetables,

Up to 1 kilogram for other plant products

are subject to exemption.

It was stated that plant products exceeding these amounts are evaluated as commercial in quantity and nature and are processed within the framework of the relevant legislation.

430 EURO AND 1500 EURO LIMITS

In the Ministry's statement, it was reported that goods with a total actual value not exceeding 430 euros per passenger are tax-exempt. It was noted that this limit is applied as 150 euros for passengers under the age of 15.

On the other hand, it was noted that for goods with a value not exceeding 1500 euros that are not of a commercial nature, a single flat tax rate is applied depending on the country of origin.

In this context;

30 percent for goods coming directly from European Union countries,

60 percent for goods coming from other countries,

And for products listed in the (IV) list attached to the Special Consumption Tax Law, an additional 20 percent tax is applied on top of these rates.

"NO CHANGES SINCE 2009"

The Ministry of Trade emphasized in its statement, aimed at informing the public accurately, that the exemption provisions and limits for goods brought by passengers have been applied in the same way since 2009.

News Source: 12punto