TMO, CLO offer tips to a smooth move Published Aug. 23, 2011 By Senior Airman Anthony J. Hyatt 39th Air Base Wing Public Affairs INCIRLIK AIR BASE, Turkey -- Airmen and their families are constantly moving to and from Incirlik due to the shortness of the tour. The base traffic management office and customs liaison office shared helpful advice to make transitioning a smooth move. Unlike many base's customs procedures, Incirlik has one unique difference - the Beyanname. The Beyanname, pronounced bay-ah-nohmee, is a written declaration between Department of Defense-sponsored individuals and the Turkish government that provides customs control of certain personal items brought into the country. It is designed to reduce black marketing items produced by the country's developing industries. Because DoD-sponsored individuals don't pay customs duties on personal items brought into the country, it's also a money matter, according to Mehmet Polatoz, 39th Logistics Readiness Squadron Turkish customs liaison specialist. This program enables Turkish customs to control the disposition of vehicles and other items such as stereos, televisions, microwaves, furniture sets and anything valued at more than $300, added Polatoz. When household goods or unaccompanied-baggage shipments arrive on base, individuals are advised to go to the traffic management office to initiate the Beyanname paperwork. As movers unpack a shipment, a Turkish customs inspector or representative will list the Beyanname items. One month after the shipments are received, members are encouraged to visit the customs liaison office to double-check the items and serial numbers appearing on the Beyanname, Polatoz said. "Whatever items a member has on their Beyanname, they must make sure that they PCS out of here with it, even if it breaks," said Senior Airman Pamela Brannon, 39th LRS TMO personal property counselor. If items from the Beyanname are thrown out, Turkish customs can impose a costly fine. "Beyanname items can be sold to another military member or DoD-sponsored civilian provided the proper paperwork is completed at Incirlik's TMO," said Polatoz. "You can avoid heavy fines or delays of PCSing by simply double-checking the make, model and serial number of items identified as controlled items before signing the carriers' Beyanname inventory list at the time your property is delivered." This rule also applies to vehicles. "Vehicles totaled or rendered unsalvageable in accidents are still required to be shipped out of country or sold to another person authorized duty-free exemption," said Polatoz. "You also have the option of turning the vehicle over to Turkish customs; however, this alternative may be more costly." Members should also be aware of the items that cannot be shipped out of Turkey, primarily antiquities. "Any items more than 50 years old requires a certificate from the museum in Adana to be shipped (stating the item is not an antique)," said Polatoz. "Antique items are not permitted to leave the country." Certificates may also be acquired through the vendor from which the item is purchased. According to Brannon, the following items are also prohibited from shipping: · Alcohol or alcohol-based items · Firearms without proof of ownership · Swords · Explosives, ammunition and fireworks · Batteries · Scuba tanks · Solvents · Varnish · Acetone · Ammonia · Cleaning fluids · Gasoline · Kerosene · Dyes · Disinfectants · Lighter fluid · Paint · Propane tanks If a member's tour at Incirlik is extended, TMO will require a copy of the date of expected return from overseas verification letter no later than five days before the initial tour ending. A verification letter is also required for any additional DEROS extension, according to the customs liaison office. Failure to accomplish this requirement may cause delays and financial penalties. "In accordance with Turkish law, Turkish customs may require collection of customs duties relating to Beyanname items plus two times the amount of those duties and/or an irregularity fine," said Polatoz. "Currently, the irregularity fine is $40." With proper maintenance of your Beyanname items, your transition to and from Incirlik could be a smooth move. For additional information about customs procedures, call the CLO at DSN 676-6180 or TMO at DSN 676-6038.