Some Regulations on Using Foreign Flagged Yachts in Turkish Waters

Entry and Exit of Foreign Flagged Yachts

Yachts entering or leaving Turkey must do so only at frontier ports. Ports of entry along the Turkish coasts are: Trabzon, Giresun, Ordu, Samsun, Hopa, Rize, Sinop, Zonguldak, Tekirdag, Istanbul, Çanakkale, Bandirma, Akçay, Ayvalik, Dikili, Izmir, Çesme, Kusadasi, Didim (Söke), Güllük, Bodrum, Datça, Marmaris, Fethiye, Kas, Finike, Kemer, Antalya, Alanya, Anamur, Tasucu, Mersin, Botas, Bartin, Gemlik, Mudanya, Bozyazi, Inebolu, Derince, Eregli, Iskenderun harbours.

Formalities concerning the documentation of yachts departing from their last port of call, or entering a port or mooring for a winter lay-up, shall be carried out at that port.

When entering Turkish Waters, foreign yachts must be recorded in the yacht owner's or captain’s passport by the customs authorities. This will be cancelled by the customs authorities on departure for foreign ports, or when leaving the yachts for winter lay-up in marinas.

Tax Revenues

According to regulations, there are various taxes and charges in addition to Customs tax payable by Turkish and foreign yachts. This is collected by the relevant administration, after calculating which harbours will be visited according to the proposed route, and is maintained by an officer appointed in connection with 36th article of Yacht Tourism Regulation.
These taxes include the payment for the other harbours for the entire voyage during the validation period of the Yacht Registration Form, which will be checked on the final departure from the country.

Yacht Registration Form (Transit Log)

Various details must be recorded in the Transit Log by the authorities, which include customs, passport details, health and the sailors, passengers and staff on each yacht. Once these details have been logged by the various authorities, they will be checked on entering and leaving each port but will require no further processing, until leaving Turkey. The process for yachts in winter lay-up is performed at the harbour where they will be staying. Once completing the Registration Form, any yacht may enter Turkey. There will be exceptions made, however, in the cases of obligatory departure and entrance due to extraordinary conditions, in connection with laws protecting life and property.

Health Process

Processes, including visa and patents, performed within the yacht registration form, are valid for one year without any other additional processes, as long as no other harbours outside Turkey have been visited within that time. In the event of any death or infectious disease, the nearest Harbour Directorate or highest Governmental Authority of the region must be immediately informed.

Importing Equipment

Foreign yacht owners can import spare parts and equipment duty-free for use on their own yachts, under customs authority control. Such spare parts and equipment will be recorded in the yacht’s inventory.

Cabotage Laws

Yachts staying in Turkey during the winter, or foreign-owned private yachts entering from foreign harbours, are only permitted to sail in Turkish waters on condition that the owner is on board. Yachts owned jointly or owned by yacht clubs or associations can be sailed by any one of four nominated owners per year. Turkish and foreign private yacht owners may have foreign or Turkish guests on board for the purpose of travel, sport and leisure but not for any commercial undertaking.
The use of private yachts that have entered Turkey by yacht owners or staff, or boarding of Turkish or foreign guests free of charge, or the use of rented yachts without staff by yachtsmen, are not accepted as seamanship, and yachtsmen cannot benefit from the normal rights of sailors.
A yacht lay-up during winter or departure from a foreign harbour or a yachting organisation including foreign flagged yachts, can be boarded by yachtsmen from a Turkish harbour with the aim of yachting, and leave the yacht at another Turkish harbour.
Foreign flagged commercial yachts licensed by the Ministry, are subject to these regulations are not permitted to voyager transport between Turkish harbours and within the harbour against cash and bill of lading. However tourist-related activities of these yachts are not deemed as voyager transportation.
Should an undocumented foreign flagged yacht organise a voyage under a certain programme, or carry yachtsmen or passengers against payment within Turkish harbours, Cabotage Law will be applied. Evaluation of yachting activities, important in connection with tourism and advertisement outside of this article, is possible with the approval of the Ministry.

Leaving Yachts in Turkish Marinas

Foreigners may leave their yachts in Turkey at a licensed yacht harbour or docking area for the purpose of storage, maintenance or repair, for a period of two years and leave the country.

In such cases, they must apply to the regional customs office with a document issued by a yacht harbour or docking area, and the requested process will be recorded in their passports. Owners may leave their yachts for up to five years, provided that the yachts sail from the harbour at least once every two years. At the end of 5 years, the Ministry of Tourism has the right to extend the length of stay.

Documents to be requested during time extension:

l - Yacht ownership certificate
2 - Certificate proving the stay of yacht for five years
3 - Certificate proving the usage of yacht by yacht owners at least once every two years
 a - Yacht Registration Form copies
4 - Certificate of stay in yacht harbour or yacht docking area licensed by the Ministry of Tourism
 a - Docking agreements