There are a number of laws specifically concerning yacht owners and crew relating to Transit logs and  residence permits and other matters which are outlined below:

Entry and Departure

. Yachts entering or leaving Turkey must make their entry or departure at designated Customs entry and exit ports - Hopa, Trabzon, Samsun, Istanbul, Gülluk, Tekirdag, Bandirma, Canakkale, Akçay, Ayvalik, Dikili, Izmir, Çesme, Kuşadasi, Bodrum, Datca, Marmaris, Fethiye, Kaş, Kemer, Antalya, Anamur, Alanya, Taşucu, Mersin and Iskenderun.

  On arrival or departure a Transit log must be obtained or surrendered as appropriate - Law No 2634 (Official Gazette 17635 article 28a.

. The Transit log is a permit to sail in Turkish Territorial Waters and to enter Turkish ports. This document must be signed by Health office, Harbourmaster, Passport Police, and Customs Patrol Authorities.  The document is valid for 365 days.

  With a transit log a foreign flagged yacht may cruise on the routes shown in the Transit log and call into or anchor at harbours or bays along the route for sightseeing purposes.

.  Any changes in crew must be entered in the appropriate section of the Transit Log and authorized by the Harbourmaster at the port where the change takes place.

  A change of ownership requires the existing Transit Log be cancelled and a new one obtained in the name of the new owner.

  A yacht leaving Turkish waters, even for a brief period with intentions to return within the validity of the Transit Log, must surrender the document prior to departure and obtain a new one on return.  The complete departure clearance procedure requires clearance from the Harbourmaster, Passport Police and Customs Patrol Authority.

Use of foreign flagged vessels in Turkish Waters

  A private foreign flagged yacht of any type that enters Turkey is allowed to be operated within the port or between Turkish ports only if the owner is on board.  One exception is if the owner is not able to join for the trip, he may send a fax authorizing his/her captain to deliver the yacht to the next port (according to regulations issued 6 Nov 2001).

  Foreign flagged vessels owned by foreign clubs, associations and unions may be operated by up to four of their owners in one year.  It is permissible to take Turkish or foreign guests other than the families of the owners on board such yachts for excisions, sports or entertainment purposes on the condition that no money is charged for this - governing Law 2634, Gazette No 18125 Article 47 amended by Gazette 20914.

Leaving foreign yachts in Turkish water for extended periods

  Foreigners who enter Turkey on board their yachts, pursuant to Article 29 of the Law, may leave their yachts in a certified marina or yacht slipway for the winter or for a period of up to two years for maintenance and repair purposes and leave Turkey by another means of transport.  In such an event marina managements shall file an application with the local customs administration.  A yacht under these circumstance must be used by the owner at least once every two years and may stay in Turkey for up to five years with out need to obtain further permission.  Governing Law 2634, Article 29 Gazette No 18125 Article 46 as amended by Gazette No 18252.

Relevance

  The above notes are applicable only to private yachts that are used solely for a non-commercial purposes.

Visas

  Citizens of most countries can obtain Tourist Visa without difficulty on entry at ports of entry or airports.  See Visa Requirements for more details

  On arrival in Turkey a Tourist visa is placed in passports with the entry date and the period of the visa.  If this indicates 3 months, it is worth noting that this period actually means 90 days and this rule is strictly enforced.  Overstaying the period of a visa can and will result in a fine which is payable before a person can leave the country.

  The visa issued on arrival is multiple entry although departure and arrival continue to be stamped in passports.  There is no restriction on the number of times one can leave and enter.  If, on return, there is more then two weeks validity of the visa, passport officials may decline to issue a new visa however this rule is an old one and one should insist on a new visa.  If this is refused, it is suggested one contact their marina for assistance.

  Residence permits are in the form of a small booklet looking like a mini-passport and replace the visas.  These are available for periods from 90 days up to 5 years and are also multiple entry.

  A recent law enabled a foreigner who is the owner of a yacht, his wife, children and crew to obtains longer term Residence Permits on the principal condition that they have a fully paid contract to keep their yacht is a marina licensed by the Turkish Tourism Ministry for at least the length of time for which the Residence Permits are applied.  The maximum period on the first application is two years.  Longer periods, up to 5 years, are possible on subsequent application.  These Residence Permits are issued by the Police Department where the yacht under contract is located.  This recent Law is covered by Turkish Interior Affairs Ministry in Announcement 00086 and 00113 dated 11 Apr 2000 and 13 Apr 2000 respectively.

Duty Free Fuel

  Duty free fuel is available to visiting foreign yachts but to qualify a minimum quantity of 3 tonnes is required and loading must be certified by a customs officer.  This minimum quantity must be taken by a single vessel, it is not permissible for a number of yachts to collectively take the minimum quantity.  In practice it is no longer possible for smaller yachts to obtain duty free fuel.

Spares and replacements

  Spares and replacements can be brought into Turkey without payment of import taxes provided the regulations are followed precisely.  The principal requirement is that the consignment is correctly addressed and invoiced, and that the accompanying list of contents is clear and unambiguous and relates to the items involved.  It is suggested that all aspects be clarified with a marina or an agent engaged before any order is placed.  It is also helpful if delivery is taken at a major airport of seaport.

  Receiving spares duty free does not mean without payment of other costs such as airline freight clearance or customs charges.  There could be additional charges including notary and translations fees and possibly temporary warehousing.

Use of vehicles

  Foreign yachtsmen are allowed to use foreign vehicles registered in their names in Turkey for a period of six months (including interrupted periods) in any twelve month period.  Particulars of the vehicle will be entered in the owners passport and the vehicle must be removed from Turkey at the end of the six month period

  A vehicle can be left in Customs bond for up to four months and an application can be made for a further two months.

  The penalties for failure to remove a vehicle from the Country before the expiry of the bond date are stringent. 

  Foreigners with a Residence Permit can get permission to keep a vehicle in Turkey for longer periods of up to 24 months.