Bad news for those bringing phones from abroad: Major hike coming to IMEI registration fee
The IMEI registration fee required for mobile phones brought from abroad will be increased in 2025 based on the revaluation rate. According to the revaluation rate, which is expected to be around 45 percent, a major hike in IMEI registration fees is anticipated.
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Due to the high Special Consumption Tax (ÖTV) applied to mobile phones purchased domestically, many people have started bringing their mobile phones from abroad.
The mandatory IMEI registration fees for mobile phones brought from abroad were increased from 618 TL to 1,500 TL in 2019.
The IMEI fee, which was 2,000 TL in 2021, rose to 2,772 TL in 2022, was increased twice in 2023 to the 20,000 TL level, and reached 31,692 TL as of 2024.
A MAJOR HIKE MAY COME IN 2025
According to a report by Sözcü, the IMEI registration fee amount collected from phones brought by passengers from abroad, which was 31,692 TL in 2024, will rise to 45,953 TL in 2025.
According to the projection put forward by Tax Expert Dr. Ozan Bingöl, the 2024 revaluation rate could form around 45 percent. If the President does not exercise their authority regarding the revaluation rate, the IMEI registration fee will increase by 45 percent in 2025.
Even if the inflation rates for September and October, which will definitively determine the Revaluation Rate (YDO), were to come in at “zero,” the YDO would still exceed 43 percent. Domestic Producer Price Index (Yİ-ÜFE) increases are expected to be around 3 percent on average over the next two months. According to this scenario, the 2024 revaluation rate will be at the 45 percent level with a simple calculation.
IMEI FEES HAVE INCREASED EVERY YEAR
Since 2015, the fee applied to phones brought from abroad for personal use has been increased every year.
The figures by year are as follows:
2015: 131.50 TL
November 2018: 500 TL
July 2019: 1,500 TL
2020: 1,838.70 TL
2021: 2,006.20 TL
2022: 2,732.40 TL
2023: 6,091.30 TL
July 2023: 20,000 TL
2024: 31,692 TL
HOW MUCH WILL THE REVALUATION RATE HIKE BE?
Various items such as the Departure Fee, the Fee Amount for Mobile Phones Brought by Passengers from Abroad, Motor Vehicle Tax (MTV), and Class B Driver's License Fee were projected with increased amounts based on the 2024 and 2025 probable Domestic Producer Price Index (YDO) as follows:
Departure Fee:
2024 Amount: 500 TL
Amount Increased with 2025 YDO: 720 TL
Fee Amount for Mobile Phones Brought by Passengers from Abroad:
2024 Amount: 31,692 TL
Amount Increased with 2025 YDO: 45,953 TL
MTV for the lowest engine capacity car (up to 1600 cc, 1-3 years old):
2024 Amount: 5,851 TL
Amount Increased with 2025 YDO: 8,484 TL
Class B Driver's License Fee:
2024 Amount: 3,945.40 TL
Amount Increased with 2025 YDO: 5,720.80 TL
Vehicle Inspection Fee (Car):
2024 Amount: 1,821.60 TL
Amount Increased with 2025 YDO: 2,641.30 TL
Traffic Fine (For the lowest speed limit violation):
2024 Amount: 1,507 TL
Amount Increased with 2025 YDO: 2,185 TL
WHAT IS IMEI?
An IMEI number is loaded onto every GSM phone device during the production stage. The IMEI number is the identity number of each device, is unique, and consists of 15 digits. However, it is currently possible to copy an IMEI number to a different phone, rendering both phones unusable.
By dialing *#06# on a mobile phone, the phone's serial number (IMEI number) can be identified.
In short, the number that shows the international electronic identity information of mobile devices is called IMEI.