GUIDE TO DIPLOMATIC MISSIONS IN TURKEY 1 Republic of Turkey Ministry of Foreign Affairs http://www.mfa.gov.tr PREAMBLE ........................................................................................................................................... 6 1. GENERAL INFORMATION .............................................................................................................. 7 1.1 Diplomatic Missions ................................................................................................................. 7 1.2 Consular Posts ......................................................................................................................... 7 1.3 International Organizations ................................................................................................... 7 1.4 Family Members ..................................................................................................................... 8 1.5 Turkish Nationals .................................................................................................................... 8 2. PROTOCOL PROCEDURES FOR THE ARRIVAL OF MEMBERS OF STAFF AT DIPLOMATIC/CONSULAR MISSONS AND INTERNATIONAL ORGANIZATIONS .................................... 8 2.1 Notification of Arrival ............................................................................................................. 8 2.2 Identity (ID) Cards ................................................................................................................... 9 2.2.1 Family Members ................................................................................................................. 11 2.2.2 Renewal .............................................................................................................................. 11 2.2.3 Lost/Theft ........................................................................................................................... 11 2.3 Change of Address ................................................................................................................ 12 2.4 Private Servants .................................................................................................................... 12 2.5 Locally Employed Staff ......................................................................................................... 13 2.6 Temporary Assignments ...................................................................................................... 13 2.7 Accreditation Procedures for Military Attaches ................................................................. 14 2.8 Appointment of Consul Generals ......................................................................................... 14 2.9 Honorary Consulates ............................................................................................................ 14 3. VISAS ........................................................................................................................................... 15 3.1 Visas of Members of Diplomatic Missions and Representations of International Organizations .................................................................................................................................... 15 3.2 Visas of the Members of the Consular Posts ....................................................................... 15 3.3 Protocol Procedures for the Members of Staff at Consular Missions in Istanbul ............... 15 4. DEFINITE DEPARTURE PROCEDURE ........................................................................................... 16 5. IMPORT, SALE, TRANSFER, RE-EXPORT OF CARS; THEFT-ACCIDENT, REGISTRATION, TECHNICAL INSPECTION AND DRIVING LICENCES ........................................................................... 16 5.1 General .................................................................................................................................. 16 5.2 Importation Procedures ....................................................................................................... 16 5.2.1 Private Cars of Members of Diplomatic/Consular Mission ................................................ 16 5.2.2 Private Cars of Administrative and Technical Staff .......................................................... 17 5.2.3 Private cars of 3rd Category ID Card Holders and 4th Category Foreign Mission Card Holders 18 5.2.4 Hiring Private Drivers for Private Cars .............................................................................. 19 5.2.5 Official/Service Cars ........................................................................................................... 19 5.2.6 International Organizations ............................................................................................... 20 5.3 Local Purchase ...................................................................................................................... 20 5.4 Sale Procedures (To persons not entitled to tax-exemption) ........................................... 20 5.4.1 Private Cars of Diplomatic Members ................................................................................. 20 5.4.2 Private Cars of the Administrative-Technical Staff .......................................................... 21 5.4.3 Official/Service Cars ........................................................................................................... 21 2 Republic of Turkey Ministry of Foreign Affairs http://www.mfa.gov.tr 5.4.4 Sale Procedures .................................................................................................................. 21 5.5 Re-exportation Procedures .................................................................................................. 22 5.6 Transfer Procedures (Sale to Diplomatic Missions or Diplomatic Members Entitled to Tax Exemption) ....................................................................................................................................... 22 5.7 Theft or Accident ................................................................................................................. 23 5.8 Plate and Registration Charges ............................................................................................ 23 5.9 Motor Vehicle Insurance ...................................................................................................... 24 5.10 Technical Inspection ............................................................................................................ 24 5.11 Driving Licenses .................................................................................................................... 24 6. PERSONAL AND HOUSEHOLD ITEMS, GOODS ........................................................................... 25 6.1 Importation by 1st Category ID Holders and Official Imports/Purchases ........................... 25 6.2 Importation by the Administrative and Technical Staff ..................................................... 26 6.3 Importation of Machinery and Equipment .......................................................................... 26 6.4 Importation of Material for Exhibitions ............................................................................... 26 6.5 Importation of Books ............................................................................................................ 27 6.6 Disposal of Imported Articles ............................................................................................... 27 6.6.1 Re-exportation .................................................................................................................... 27 6.6.2 Transfer ............................................................................................................................... 28 6.6.3 Sale ...................................................................................................................................... 28 7. DONATIONS ................................................................................................................................. 29 8. GASOLINE AND FUEL-OIL PURCHASES....................................................................................... 29 8.1 Cars ........................................................................................................................................ 29 8.2 Heating and Generator Fuel ................................................................................................ 29 9. EXEMPTION FROM THE VALUE ADDED TAX .............................................................................. 30 9.1 Official VAT Exemption Card ............................................................................................... 30 9.2 Personal VAT Exemption ..................................................................................................... 31 9.3 Tax ID Numbers .................................................................................................................... 33 10. FIREARMS, HUNTING WEAPONS AND AMMUNITION ................................................................. 33 10.1 Hunting Guns ........................................................................................................................ 34 11. AIRPORT ENTRANCE CARDS ....................................................................................................... 34 12. DIPLOMATIC OR CONSULAR COURIER BAGS ...........................................................................