Fast customs, stress-free move
Incomplete customs paperwork is the most common cause of delays in international removals. At FlexiLog our own team prepares all documents in line with the transport plan.
Typical documents
- Passport or ID
- Proof of residence or deregistration
- Application for duty-free import of household goods
- Detailed inventory (Turkish and English)
Why the inventory matters
Customs officers compare boxes with the list. A numbered, clear inventory speeds up every inspection – we number each box while packing.
Why customs decides the success of your move
When you move between Turkey and Europe, your household goods cross a customs border. Even if household effects are duty-free in many cases, they must be declared, checked and released. If a document is missing, the inventory list is vague, or the shipment contains items that do not count as household goods, the truck can sit at the border or in a customs warehouse for days. That costs time, storage fees and nerves. At FlexiLog this task is therefore handled by our own customs team – with no external agents and no long chains of communication.
Our team knows both Turkish and European procedures and works closely with our branch in Germany. Documents are prepared correctly while your goods are being packed, and if the authorities have questions, we can respond immediately.
Our services at a glance
- Eligibility check: before loading we clarify whether your goods can be imported or exported free of duties.
- Document list: a personal list of required documents, tailored to direction, residence and status.
- Inventory list: a numbered, customs-compliant list prepared with you that matches your boxes exactly.
- Export clearance: declaration of export in the country of departure at the competent customs office.
- Import clearance: declaration in the destination country, submission of documents and attendance at any inspection.
- Communication: your contact person keeps you informed at every step and gets in touch at once if anything is missing.
Into Turkey: importing household goods
For import into Turkey, the key questions are whether you are returning permanently and how long you have lived abroad. Turkish citizens and, in some cases, Blue Card holders can import used household goods duty-free under certain conditions. A passport, proof of residence abroad, deregistration in the previous country and a detailed inventory list are typically required. Quantity limits per household apply to certain electrical appliances. Details on process and documents can be found on our moving back to Turkey page.
Into the EU: importing household effects
If you transfer your normal place of residence from Turkey to an EU country, you can usually import personal belongings free of duties. The usual conditions are at least twelve months’ residence outside the EU, prior use of the items by you, and continued private use at your new home. In Germany, form 0350 is generally used, supplemented by the inventory list and proof of change of residence such as a registration certificate or employment contract. Other EU countries have comparable forms. Our duty-free check shows in two minutes whether you broadly meet the conditions.
Exports from Germany and other EU countries
When moving from the EU to Turkey, the export of your household goods usually has to be declared as well. For private household goods the procedure is generally simpler than for commercial goods, but the details of the shipment, inventory list and change of residence must still be correct. Our branch in Germany coordinates the export steps with our customs team in Istanbul so the documents on both sides of the border match. This avoids duplicate work and contradictions that could otherwise lead to questions on import. For recently purchased, high-value items it can make sense to keep invoices to prove origin and purchase date; we tell you during the survey which receipts help in your case.
The inventory list: the most important document
The inventory list describes your shipment to the authorities. A good list is numbered, complete and unambiguous. Every box has a number clearly visible on the outside. For each number, the list describes the contents in plain words, such as “kitchen crockery, plates and cups” or “children’s books and toys”. Furniture is listed individually, electrical appliances with brand and quantity. Valuable items such as rugs, artwork or musical instruments should be recorded with a short description.
Avoid catch-all terms like “miscellaneous”, “personal items” or “household”. They are among the most common reasons for queries and inspections. Our team provides a template, checks the list before loading day and matches it against the boxes during loading.
What happens during a customs inspection?
Customs authorities can inspect any shipment at random. During an inspection the truck or container is opened and individual boxes are compared with the inventory list. If the list is accurate and the numbers match, an inspection is usually over quickly. Our customs team is on site or in close contact with the customs office, answers questions and makes sure that opened boxes are properly closed again. You do not normally need to be present if a power of attorney is in place.
Common mistakes and how we avoid them
- New goods in the shipment: appliances in original packaging or larger quantities of the same item may count as commercial goods. We point this out in advance.
- Missing proof: without deregistration or proof of residence, relief may be refused. We check the documents before loading.
- Prohibited items: weapons, drugs, certain foods, plants and hazardous substances do not belong in the shipment.
- Differences between list and load: boxes added later must be added to the list.
- Wrong timing: deadlines between change of residence and import matter. We align loading day with your schedule.
Vehicles, pets and special cases
Cars, motorcycles and caravans are subject to their own import rules, assessed separately from household goods. Pets do not travel with the household goods; they need a microchip, vaccinations and, depending on the direction, further proof. Artwork, antiques or cultural goods may require additional permits. Please mention such cases during the survey so we have enough time to prepare.
Customs for companies and office moves
Office moves and shipments of business equipment are subject to different rules from private household goods. Office furniture, IT equipment and archives are generally not covered by household effects relief. We check which procedures make sense and work with your accounts department. More on our office relocation page.
Timeline for customs preparation
Eight to six weeks before, clarify the conditions with us and receive the document list. Four weeks before, start gathering evidence and drafting the inventory list. Two weeks before, our team checks the documents and flags any gaps. On loading day, the list is matched to the boxes and signed by you. During transport, our team declares the shipment and handles clearance. Following this rhythm avoids delays in the vast majority of cases.
Fees and costs of customs clearance
For duty-free household goods, no customs duties or import taxes are normally due. Costs can arise, however, for the clearance itself, for storage time during an inspection or for additional documents. For items not covered by relief, the authorities charge duties and taxes based on the value of the goods. Your quote shows exactly which customs services are included. Official charges set only at clearance are discussed with you as soon as they become foreseeable.
Checklist: keep your documents to hand
Keep all originals and copies together in one folder carried in your hand luggage: passport or ID card, residence permit, deregistration and registration certificates, employment or pension documents, tenancy agreements, the signed inventory list, the power of attorney for our customs team and invoices for high-value items. Also photograph every page with your phone and store the pictures safely, so you can send missing documents by email or WhatsApp at short notice if an authority asks. Many delays are caused not by missing documents but by documents that cannot be found – a well-organised folder prevents that.
Your advantage: one team for removals and customs
Many removal companies pass customs clearance on to external agencies. That means extra interfaces, more coordination and, when problems arise, long waits for answers. At FlexiLog the removals team and customs team work under one roof. Whoever packs your boxes knows what information customs needs – and whoever handles clearance knows your shipment. That makes the whole process faster, more transparent and more reliable.
Current regulations, not general statements
Customs regulations change – sometimes at short notice. Information from forums or from acquaintances who moved a few years ago is therefore not always reliable. Our team prepares each file according to the rules currently in force and tells you if something has changed. The information on this page is for general guidance and does not replace an individual assessment. To find out which documents you need, send us a short WhatsApp message with your place of residence, destination and planned date.
Duty-free import
The EU, the UK and Turkey all allow duty-free import of used household goods under certain conditions when you change residence, for example when moving back to Turkey.
