New hike in store for IMEI registration fee! The figure is staggering

A new possibility of an increase in the IMEI registration fee paid for mobile phones brought by passengers from abroad has emerged for 2027. The fee, which is currently 54 thousand 258 liras, is expected to rise to 69 thousand 450 liras if the projected revaluation rate is applied.

Economist Prof. Dr. Hakkı Hakan Yılmaz stated that the revaluation rate to be applied to taxes, penalties, fees, and various charges at the beginning of 2027 could be 27.85 percent if the Domestic Producer Price Index (D-PPI) realizes at a level of 2 percent in September and October. This rate would be higher than the 25.49 percent announced for 2026.

The revaluation rate is used in calculating increases for many items, including real estate, environmental cleaning, special communication, and motor vehicle taxes, as well as various fees, vehicle inspection charges, income tax brackets, and traffic fines. The rate to be applied in 2027 will be finalized on November 3.

The President has the authority to reduce or increase the revaluation rate for taxes and fees by up to 50 percent under the Tax Procedure Law. If this authority to reduce the rate is not exercised, an increase of approximately 28 percent is expected to be reflected in the IMEI registration fee as well.

The IMEI registration fee was at the level of 131 liras and 50 kuruş in 2015. If the potential increase occurs in the new year, the fee will have risen approximately 528-fold in 12 years. The practice was implemented for phones brought by passengers with the aim of protecting the domestic market, preventing tax losses, and providing revenue to the budget.