Turkey Raises Registration Tax on Foreign Smartphones to 71,000 Rubles
Turkish authorities have approved a substantial increase in the registration tax for mobile devices purchased abroad, setting the maximum payable amount at 71,000 rubles. This development was reported by Tinkoff magazine and adds to a broader policy aimed at tightening the rules around foreign electronics used in Turkey.
Under Turkish law, travelers who bring a mobile device into the country must register it within 120 days. If registration is not completed within this window, the device risks being blocked. Beginning on July 8, 2023, the tax jumped to 20,000 Turkish lira, which is approximately 71,000 rubles depending on the current exchange rate. This change marks a significant shift in the financial burden placed on visitors who bring phones from abroad. (Source: Information Technologies and Communications Authority of Turkey)
Non-registration carries a direct consequence: the cellular handset may have its GSM or WCDMA module disabled, effectively cutting off voice calls, SMS, and mobile data. In practice, such a telecom blockade strips the device of its core communication capabilities until the registration requirement is satisfied. (Source: Information Technologies and Communications Authority of Turkey)
Turkey uses a unique device identifier, the IMEI, to track phones. When a subscriber connects a phone to a Turkish base station, the IMEI is logged in the national registry maintained by the Turkish Information Technologies and Communications Authority. This linkage between the device and the network makes enforcement straightforward and highly visible to regulators and carriers alike. (Source: Information Technologies and Communications Authority of Turkey)
Before the July 8, 2023 increase, the registration tax stood at 6,091 Turkish lira (about 21,000 rubles). In 2022, the tax was 2,732 Turkish lira (roughly 10,000 rubles). The recent adjustment reflects broader changes in how Turkey manages imported electronics and aligns local policies with regulatory aims around security, taxation, and consumer protection. (Source: Information Technologies and Communications Authority of Turkey)
Travelers’ experiences suggest that the blocking outcome is not always universal or immediate. In some cases, smartphones have not been blocked after the 120-day window, though such instances are relatively rare and not guaranteed. The official framework remains in force, but practical enforcement can vary. (Source: Information Technologies and Communications Authority of Turkey)
Earlier reports noted questions about the practicality and reasoning behind purchasing smartphones in Turkey, highlighting how foreign device ownership interacts with local rules. The evolving policy landscape continues to influence decisions for travelers and expatriates who rely on mobile connectivity while abroad. (Source: Information Technologies and Communications Authority of Turkey)