Cultural

Objects Of Cultural Heritage

Importation and re-exportation of articles of natural and cultural heritage of foreign origin are subject to strict rules and procedures, as stipulated in the Law for Protection of Cultural and Natural Heritage (Published in the Official Gazette No: 28963, dated 23 July 1983).

All objects of cultural heritage (including collections) which may be imported by the diplomatic members with "takrirs" cannot be sold or transferred to any person. They should either be re-exported or donated to State Museums.

The rules for acquisition, sale, transfer, importation and exportation of the cultural heritage of ethnographical nature are defined in the "Regulation on the Cultural Heritage of Ethnographical Nature" (published in the Official Gazette No: 19803, dated 3 May 1988).

Exportation of any item as defined in the article 3 of the said regulation, acquired in Turkey may be permitted by the customs on the basis of an expertise report, issued by the State Museums.

Article 3: Acquisition, sale and transfer of articles of cultural heritage of ethnographical nature that are not complementary to the museum collections and that have no documentary value and coins from the Sultans of Ottoman period such as Abdülmecit, Abdülaziz, Murat V, Abdülhamit II, Mehmet Reşit V and Vahdettin, are not subject to prior permission and registration.

Members of the Diplomatic Missions and Consular Posts are advised to apply directly to the local state ethnographical museums to obtain expertise reports before exporting any item acquired in Turkey which fall within the scope of article 3 of the aforementioned Regulation and the Law for Protection of Cultural and Natural Heritage No: 2863.

Exportation of items of cultural heritage listed in the Article 4 of the Regulation is strictly forbidden

Article 4: All types of articles of cultural and natural heritage that belong to geological, pre- historical and historical period and which have documentary value with regards to geology, anthropology, prehistory, archaeology and history of art reflecting the social, cultural, technical and scientific characteristics of their specific period: all articles of cultural heritage of ethnographical nature symbolizing the religious beliefs, customs and traditions of the Turkish Nation up to the end of the Ottoman Empire Period which are rare pieces and complementary to the museum collections with documentary value; other movable cultural assets that belong to the period of National Liberation, Turkish Republic and Atatürk period may not be taken out of country.

Communication Equipment

Diplomatic and consular missions do not need prior permission for the installation of satellite antennas (receiver only), fax, telex or telephone lines in their premises for the official use of the missions on the basis of reciprocity.

However, installation of wireless systems (transmitters and receivers) regardless of the capacity of the system is subject to prior permission of the relevant Turkish authorities.

The requests for permission for wireless systems should be addressed to the Ministry by a Verbal Note in which the technical specifications of the system, frequencies proposed for use, exact latitudes and longitudes, type, make, model of the equipment, number of the hand units and auto receivers etc. must be indicated. Two copies of duly filled, sealed and signed TGM-1 forms should be attached to the Verbal Notes as well. Reciprocity should be guaranteed for the installation of similar systems by the Turkish Missions in the country in the Verbal Note. Only after the permission is granted, necessary equipment can be imported by a "takrir".

For satellite antenna systems which comprise VSAT system with a receiver and transmitter, a VSAT agreement should be signed with the competent authority before the import permit can be issued.

The request of the mission will be evaluated by the competent authority, after all the required procedures are fulfilled and a copy of the said agreement together with the completed forms of TGM 25-A, sent in annex of the Note.

Pets

Pets may be brought to Turkey provided that they have been vaccinated (for dogs: rabies, distemper, parvo, hepatitis, leptospirozis; for cats: rabies and other epidemic diseases). International Veterinary Health Certificate; Identity Card; Vaccination Card; and CITES certificate (Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species of Wild Fauna and Flora) for the pets in the framework of CITES are required. Vaccination against rabies should be done minimum one month before travel and the immunity period should not be expired.

Important note: In order to avoid customs duties, mission members should bring their pets accompanied. Unaccompanied Pets are subject to various customs duties and charges.