Regulations & Customs Formalities in Turkey
The following information courtesy of noonsite.com
CLEARENCE
Any yacht coming from abroad must fly the Q flag and complete formalities at an official port of entry. On entry, formalities are completed with Health, Harbourmaster, Passport Police and Customs in this order. Marinas usually act as one's agent and will both provide the transit log and deal with formalities. Often there is an additional cost for this service although it is offered free at Park Kemer Marina. Each yacht must purchase a transit log (from a marina, chamber of commerce or agency) which is the travel document of the yacht during her stay in Turkey and states the yacht's master, owner, destinations in Turkey and registered inventory. The transit log's validity was extended in 2001 from 90 to 365 days and remains valid even if the yacht is laid up. A new log must be purchased and completed on each arrival of a yacht from abroad. However, if the owner leaves without the yacht, the Transit Log will still be valid on return provided that date is within the 365-day period.
The yacht must not remain beyond the period of validity of the transit log. The intended ports of the cruise must be entered in the transit log. Foreign flag yachts may cruise on the routes shown in their cruise documents and call and anchor at harbours along the route where there is no customs office, for sightseeing purposes, on condition that there are no other restrictions.
Officials are no longer required to record ownership and details for a yacht in the owner/captain's passport. In order to eliminate illicit chartering work, only the owner of a yacht is deemed to be skipper. According to Turkish law, a yacht may have up to four owners. Should an owner not be present, the skipper may be asked to pay a special fee in order to cruise in Turkish waters. Skippers of company-owned boats should have a document showing that he/she is an owner of the company. Ideally, the skipper's name should appear on the registration certificate or on some official proof of ownership. Generally, it is wise to ask for receipts for any payments.
Officials are particular about the Turkish courtesy flag, which must be flown from the correct position between 0800 and sunset when cruising. The courtesy flag may be left up permanently when in port.
In subsequent ports the authorities may wish to see the transit log. There are some regional differences in customs formalities. In the past, some captains have been asked to produce a certificate of competence when clearing and if unable to do so, the yacht was not allowed to leave port.
It is recommended to avoid zigzagging between Turkish and Greek waters. Both countries insist on arrival from abroad to be made only at an official port of entry.
When within 5 miles of the entrance into either the Bosporus or the Dardanelles, boats should contact Traffic Control for further instructions. Although this provision only applies to boats over 20 metres LOA, it is recommended that smaller boats also comply with it. Boats in possession of a transit log are no longer required to stop at Canakkale and may proceed through the Dardanelles without stopping. The regulations are similar for boats going through the Bosporus, who may continue towards ports on the Turkish Black Sea coast without stopping.
Departure from Turkey must be from an official port of entry. If a yacht is leaving Turkish waters even for a brief period and planning to return within the time the transit log is valid, it must be surrendered on departure, and a new one obtained on re-entry. When departing for foreign ports yachts are required to complete full clearance procedures and surrender of the Log with Harbourmaster, Passport Police, and Customs, in that order.
Please note that Visas for individuals are multiple entry, but the Transit Log is not. If Turkey is left in an emergency, without having been able to clear out correctly, the completed Section V should be handed in to a Turkish consulate abroad within one month, otherwise the offending yacht cannot return.
IMMIGRATION
In a move to further encourage foreign nationals to base their yachts in Turkey, visa restrictions were considerably eased early in 2000, so that foreign sailors arriving in Turkey on their own yacht are now eligible for a two-year visa at the first application, later a three-year visa, and then a five-year visa. This means that foreign nationals are subject to the same treatment regarding length of stay as their own yachts. Visas for these longer periods can only be obtained in advance from the Turkish Diplomatic Mission in one's country of domicile. Otherwise, a maximum of 3 months stay will be granted on arrival.
Otherwise, visa regulations stipulate that citizens of the following countries do not need visas for up to three months' stay: Argentina, Bahamas, Barbados, Belize, Bolivia, Chile, Denmark, Ecuador, El Salvador, Fiji, Finland, France, Germany, Greece, Grenada, Hong Kong Special Administrative Region, Iceland, Iran, Israel, Jamaica, Japan, Kenya, Liechtenstein, Luxembourg, Malaysia, Malta, Mauritius, Monaco, Morocco, New Zealand, St. Lucia, St. Marino, Seychelles, Singapore, South Korea, Sweden, Switzerland, Trinidad-Tobago, Tunisia, Turkish Republic of Northern Cyprus, Uruguay, Vatican. For up to two months, visas are not required for nationals of Bosnia-Hercegovina, Croatia, Indonesia, Macedonia, Romania and Slovenia. For up to one month, for Costa Rica, Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan and South Africa.
Nationals of the following countries can obtain a three month visa on arrival: Australia, Austria, Belgium, Brazil,Canada, Holland, Ireland, Italy, Portugal, Spain, United Kingdom, United States of America. It should be noted that although the visa validity period is given as 3 months, the period is actually 90 days and this is strictly adhered to. A one month visa may be issued on arrival to nationals of Albania, Azerbaijan, Belarus,Estonia, Hungary, Jordan, Latvia, Lithuania, Moldova, Poland, Russia, Slovakia, Tajikistan, Turkmenistan, Ukraine, Uzbekistan and Yugoslavia. Nationals of Georgia are issued a 15 day visa on arrival.
Visa fees are charged in UK£ for the United Kingdom and Ireland, in US$ for all others, where applicable. The visa fee for US passport holders increased from $65 to $100 as of November 1, 2002.
All other nationalities need visas in advance.
Nationals of Taiwan, Greek Cyprus and North Korea may only obtain a visa after providing certain references.
If one leaves Turkey and returns either after one's visa expiry date or within less than two weeks of its expiry another 90 day Tourist Visa will be granted. There is no restriction to the number of times this can be done. If on return there are more than two weeks remaining for the pre-departure visa, the Authorities may refuse to issue a new visa, although this is an old regulation. If at the port of entry immigration officers will not grant a new three-month (90 days) visa, one contact the marina for advice.
If staying longer than three months one has to apply for a residence permit and must prove adequate financial means. It maybe easier to leave and return after a reasonable period of time, re-enter Turkey and obtain a further three months, than to apply for an extension.
Residence Permits are available for periods starting from 90 days up to 5 years. They are also multiple entry, however departure and entry dates continue to be stamped in your passport. A recently law allows a foreigner who is the owner of a yacht, his wife and children and crew to obtain longer term Residence Permits, on condition that they have a fully paid contract to keep their yacht in a marina for at least the length of time of the Residence Permit application. The maximum permitted period on first application is 2 years. Longer periods up to 5 years are possible on subsequent application. You should seek the assistance of the Marina when making your application. Obtaining the Residence Permit might be impossible to accomplish without the support of the marina.
CUSTOMS
All types of firearms must be declared, and will be sealed on arrivalby customs. Also, diving tanks must be declared.
Animals require arecent health certificate from the country of origin. A rabies vaccination certificate must show that the animal received the vaccination between 15 days and six months before arrival in Turkey.
Antiques cannot be exported. If carpets are bought, the customs will require to see proof of purchase. Antique objects must be accompanied by a non-objection certificate issued by the Ministry of Culture.
Getting the customs duty waived on yacht equipment that has been ordered from abroad is a lengthy and frustrating procedure, so it might be easier to try and bring any equipment needed into Turkey as personal luggage. In such a case it is advisable to have a copy of the ship's papers as well as some form of proof that the yacht has been left temporarily in Turkey. Items brought in personally with a value over US$300 will be registered into one's passport. This will be cancelled when the entry is transferred to the transit log. Equipment couriered directly should be addressed to the marina, and the marina's advice should be sought in advance as to the correct procedure as well the best company to use. It also helps to be near a major airport or seaport such as Antalya, Istanbul or Izmir.
Duty free fuel is available at a limited number of ports to visiting foreign yachts but the order must be for a minimum of 3 tonnes, taken by a single vessel and not shared between several yachts. This means that in practice, it is no longer possible for smaller yachts to obtain duty free fuel.
HEALTH
Hepatitis,polio and typhoid vaccinations are recommended.
An official transit log is required for all yachts cruising in Turkey. The log is issued at the first port of entry and is valid for 365 days. Yachts can be left for up to two years in bond at a boatyard or marina for maintenance and repair purposes. In this case marinas must make an application to the local customs office. A yacht laid up for the winter in a marina or boatyard that is used by the owner at least once every two years may remain in Turkey for up to five years without needing to obtain further permission. Extensions may be available to this five-year period. When the owner leaves Turkey the yacht must be placed in Customs Bond; however, to take a yacht out of bond it is no longer necessary to obtain a new transit log if it has not expired.
Change in crew must be entered in the Transit Log and authorised by the Harbourmaster at the port where the change occurs. The existing Transit Log must be cancelled and a new one obtained if there is a change of owner. The owner must be onboard and Turkish law does not allow more than four co-owners. If one of the owners is not on board, or proof of ownership is inadequate, a special transit log must be purchased at a cost of US$600. As of November 2001, new regulations allow one exception: if the owner is not able to join the trip, he can send a fax authorising the skipper to deliver the yacht to the next port.
A great deal of confusion surrounds the regulations concerning restrictions imposed on foreign yachts cruising in Turkey, which are suspected of chartering. A change of crew, even if these are friends of the owner, is sometimes interpreted by some harbourmasters as being equivalent to the arrival of a charter party. As a consequence, the yacht in question may be required to buy a new transit log or pay the charter fee despite the owner's protestations. However, regulations have been greatly eased in recent years and the ownership issue is no longer applied with such severity.
It is now possible for non-owners, such as delivery skippers, to make one landfall in Turkey, usually to deliver a boat for wintering. Further easing of restrictions are envisaged for the near future.Special formalities must be completed if the yacht is to be left unattended in Turkey and the crew leave the country by other means. The forms are available from marina offices and must be stamped by customs. The passports must be stamped if leaving by other means than by yacht, as the police do not normally stamp passports of people entering by yacht and these stamps are necessary to leave the country overland or by air.
FEES
A fee is charged for the transit log. This is US$30 for an ordinary log and US$600 if the boat is used for charter work.
A navigation aids fee is payable by boats over 30 tons.
Overtime charges seem tovary from place to place, so if at all possible it is advisable to clear in and out during office hours on normal working days.
Visa fees are payable for some nationalities.
RESTRICTIONS
Foreign yachts used for commercial purposes and private foreign yachts without their owners on board may be required to pay the US$600 charter fee. Foreign yachts are now allowed to transport passengers from a foreign port to a Turkish port.
Prohibited areas for yachts are: no anchoring at the entrance and exit of the Dardanelles (Canakkale Bogazi, especially Gokceada and Bozcaada, region of Kumkale, Mehmetcik, Burnu, Ani, Korfezi); the zone north of the Bosporus, Gulf of Izmir, isles of Uzin and Hekim; the Bay of Karaagac; Oludeniz, Fethiye; parts of the ports of Mersin and Iskenderun; the submarine base in the inner port of Bartin Liman.
Taking archaeological souvenirs can lead to confiscation of the yacht.
Skin diving is permitted everywhere, but diving with tanks is restricted. Divers must have an internationally recognised certificate, have to register with a Turkish diving club and must be accompanied by a Turkish instructor when diving. Fishing is permitted for sport in certain areas, but there is a minimum size for fish caught and also the amount per person is controlled.
