The Ultimate Guide to Understanding Your International Relocation Estimate

What Services Are Typically Included?

1. Packing and Unpacking Services:

   These services involve professional movers carefully packing your belongings at your current location and unpacking them at your new home. High-quality packing materials and expert handling ensure that fragile items and valuables are protected during transit.

2. Transportation (Air, Sea, or Land):

   This refers to the mode of transport your goods will take to reach your destination. Depending on the distance and urgency, your belongings may be shipped by air, sea, or land. Each mode comes with different costs and delivery times.

3. Customs Clearance Assistance:

   Navigating customs regulations can be challenging, especially when moving internationally. Your relocation provider will assist with the necessary paperwork and procedures to ensure your goods pass through customs smoothly and legally.

4. Storage Solutions (If Needed):

   If your new home is not immediately ready or if you need extra time before moving in, storage solutions can be arranged. This service offers secure, short-term or long-term storage for your belongings until you’re ready to receive them.

Customs and VAT Considerations for Türkiye

KDV

The standard Turkish VAT (“KDV” in Turkish) is 20%. It is generally applicable to goods and services in Türkiye, as well as imports.

While many moves qualify for duty-free import of household goods into Turkey, moving out or moving large-value items may carry tax risks. Therefore, be sure to familiarise yourself with the rules.

Moving within Türkiye:

When moving domestically, no customs or VAT applies as the goods do not cross international borders.

However, you may have to pay VAT on services you use within Türkiye, such as:

• Local removal fees
• Building permissions (some apartment complexes require booking lift access or elevator use
• Insurance for goods in transit (recommended, not mandatory)

Moving From Türkiye:

If you are exporting your household goods from Türkiye, you’ll want to check if there are any export duties/taxes, as these vary, or whether you will need to ensure items have been in your use for a certain period. This is less clearly spelt out for household goods, so you should advise contacting a customs broker.

When bringing items into Türkiye as accompanied baggage (e.g., items you take with you on the plane), there are exemptions but also thresholds.:

• E.g., Personal belonging exemptions for accompanied baggage are up to €430 per passenger. However, for accompanied baggage items above the exemption, the tax might be 20% on the value above this exempt amount.

If the items exceed certain value thresholds or are not covered by the personal‐use rules, then normal import duties and taxes apply.

Weather and Seasonality Costs

In Türkiye, the weather and time of year can significantly impact your move:

• Summer moves (June – September):

  During the summer months, temperatures in cities like Ankara and Konya can reach over 40°C. Movers may limit work to early mornings to avoid extreme heat, and electronics and heat-sensitive items (artwork, instruments, candles, cosmetics and liquids) can be damaged during long exposure in trucks or containers.\

• Winter moves (December – February):

  Eastern Turkey experiences heavy snowfall and icy conditions throughout winter. Mountain passes can close without warning, and long-distance trucking can take longer. Therefore, possible road closures, weather, and winter storms near Istanbul and the Black Sea coast can impact both domestic and international moves.

• Peak moving seasons:

  The busiest periods in Türkiye for relocations are:

  • April – June due to pre-summer family moves and expat contract renewals, and
  • August – September, as a result of the end of school holidays and the expat peak season.

Moves during these times might be more expensive due to increased demand, and there may well be fewer available shipment slots and longer lead times. Be sure to book movers in plenty of time (6-8 weeks in advance) during peak months.

• National Holidays:

  Major public holidays, particularly during Ramadan and Eid, affect government services including customs clearance and port operations. Containers arriving during holiday closures may be held at port, and additional port or storage fees can apply if paperwork cannot be processed. Always check holiday schedules before confirming shipment dates.

Understanding Temporary Housing and Storage Costs

When relocating internationally, your new home may not always be ready for immediate move-in. In such cases, temporary housing or storage solutions are necessary. It’s common for people moving long distances from Türkiye to require storage for their belongings or temporary accommodations, both of which can add to your relocation costs. Ensure these are clearly outlined in your estimate.

Summary

Relocating from Türkiye to a new country can be a seamless experience if you have a clear understanding of your international relocation estimate. Knowing what services are included—such as packing, transportation, customs assistance, and storage—helps avoid unexpected costs down the line.

Additionally, factoring in regional considerations like customs regulations, VAT charges, and weather conditions is essential for an accurate and complete estimate. Whether you’re moving in the peak summer season or braving the harsh Eastern Turkish snow, proper planning and a detailed estimate ensure your international move goes smoothly and stays within budget.

At Crown Relocations, we’re committed to providing clear, comprehensive relocation estimates to make your move as stress-free as possible. Reach out to our team for personalized advice tailored to your specific journey.