Turkey entry/exit formalities
 

I am looking at the possibility of riding my UK registered bike to Turkey and then flying out after selling, giving or lending the bike to someone else who will ride it back to the UK. As the ownership papers would still be in my name I would give the rider a power of attorney to use the bike.

I have found a 2002 copy of a Turkish Government publication which states: "The vehicle can be brought into Turkey for up to 6 months. The owner must declare on the form the date of departure at the border gate and should absolutely leave the country by the date declared."

This implies that I will not be able to leave the country without the vehicle (as my entry form will have my undertaking to take it out with me) and equally nobody else can leave with the vehicle (as they won't the form recording that they brought it in).

Questions: Has anyone who has recently ridden into Turkey with a bike been required to complete such a form? Has anyone been able to depart Turkey and leave a vehicle behind? Has anyone been able to leave with a vehicle that they didn't bring in?

I am hoping that the procedure has been relaxed since 2002 as I would want to do everything legitimately and not cause any problems for the new rider or put at risk my ability to revisit Turkey.

Hi,

I am currently in Turkey with my Australian registered bike. I did not have to fill in any forms, but the bike was stamped in my passport.

Some information about our club before answering your questions.
Our club, active since 1968 does all the formalities for customs purposes for bikes including parking when you are abroad, giving technical reports for air freight forwarding,etc. and has done so many operations in customs inside and outside Turkey all legal on paperworks and bureacracy.
Rules has been changed since 22.april.2011 in Turkey according to the EU. meetings and discussions.

Your Answers:
UK registered bikes can enter Turkey, for 6 months, and this period is 1 year if the owner is retired and has a letter mentioning this point and given by Turkish Consulate in the home country.
To depart Turkey and leave a vehicle behind is not possible legally.You can leave it in customs parking area, or a confirmed company,association,etc. for 6 months with a letter saying that you will get it back before the time expires.During this period noone can ride it.
You can leave Turkey with your bike behind without any formalities and noone can stop you in the bordergates.But you will be faced with some fines at your revisit which will be more than the value of the bike.
Customs authorities will block and sell your bike wherever its found, and you will have no right on it.You will not be able to enter Turkey again until all fines are paid.
With the letter of authority given by the owner, anyone can get the bike inside and outside Turkey.Enter and exit formalities are also done on the computer so its not a must to have the exit stamp on your passport.Enter and exit stamps will be done to your number plate on the computer.
Attention, you are the only one responsible to all accidents,punishments and losses to third persons even your bike is not exited by the owner.

If you can find a non Turkish citizen customer in Turkey to buy your bike, you can sell it without any taxes.
No need to fill a form if your number plate doesnt start with x,q,w letters which are not in Turkish alphabet and the system accepts your number plate.Very soon this problem will be over too.

Website for up to date information.
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Wish you all the best.
zeki.

Thanks Franconian. I see from Zeki's reply that the form has been superceded by a computer entry.

Thanks, Zeki, for your detailed reply.

Please excuse me if I paraphrase what you have said so I can check I understand correctly.

I have 3 options:

1. Fly out of Istanbul leaving the bike in storage with your club, provided I return and remove it from Turkey within 6 months of original entry (12 months if I get written confirmation before original entry from a Turkish consulate that I am retired).

2. As 1, but if my plans or circumstances change and I am unable to return to collect the bike, sell or lend it to a non-Turkish citizen who must remove it before the 6 or 12 months has expired.

3. Sell it before I leave Turkey to a non-Turkish citizen who must remove it before 6 months has expired (or 12 if he/she also has proof of retirement).

More questions:

With Option 1, when I fly out will I need to provide Customs with a written undertaking to return and remove the bike, and written confirmation from your club that it is storing it for me?

With 2 & 3, am I correct in thinking that the new rider will need either the registration papers in his/her name or a power of attorney from me giving permission to ride the bike, plus 3rd party insurance in his/her name (purchasable within Turkey).

Thanks for your help.