Beyanname awareness key to successful PCS

  • Published
  • By Tech. Sgt. Patrick Hyde
  • 39th Air Base Wing Public Affairs
INCIRLIK AIR BASE, Turkey --  Beyanname is often the first Turkish word learned by Incirlik newcomers and maintaining proper control over it is essential to a successful move in and out of Turkey.

A written declaration between Department of Defense-sponsored personnel and the Turkish government, beyanname provides customs control of certain personal items brought into the country.

Also, beyanname is designed to reduce black marketing of items produced by the country's developing industries and is required by the Turkish government because DoD-sponsored personnel don't pay customs duties on personal items shipped here.
Beyanname enables Turkish Customs to control the disposition of vehicles and other items such as stereos, televisions, microwaves, furniture and anything valued at more than $300.

When household goods or unaccompanied baggage shipments arrive on base, a Turkish Customs officer will fill out beyanname paperwork and list all items when a shipment is delivered. Customers are advised to double-check the serial numbers for accuracy, as they become part of the permanent beyanname record once the document is signed.

The items on the beyanname declaration must leave the country with the member or be transferred to an authorized person. Even if the item becomes damaged, it must be taken out of the country by that same person. This rule also applies to motor vehicles. Vehicles rendered inoperable or unsalvageable due to accident damage are required to be shipped out of country or sold to another person before leaving Incirlik.

In order to avoid Beyanname fees when keeping goods in Turkey past an original DEROS, individuals extending their tours should provide the Traffic Management Office Customs Liaison Office with a copy of the date eligible for return from overseas verification letter. People need to do this no later than five days before the initial tour ends. This paper work is needed so that if an individual goes past their original DEROS date, TMO will not charge them the inconvenience fee.

Individuals can get a DEROS verification letter by contacting the TMO located in Building 281. This letter is to be signed by the Squadron commander or first sergeant. This letter verifies DEROS extension and offsets beyanname fees incurred with shipment of household goods at a later date.

"Every time someone extends, it requires a new DEROS extension letter," said Mehmet Polatöz, customs liaison specialist.

If an individual fails to get a DEROS extension letter, delays and financial penalties may occur. 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 inconvenience fee. Currently, the fee is 200 Turkish Lira.

If an individual does incur an inconvenience fee of 200 YTL, they will have to fill out a DEROS extension and be given another date to comply with beyanname.

Team Incirlik members wishing to avoid these inconveniences fees should pay close attention to their DEROS date. The crucial DEROS date is the day Turkish Customs stamped the North Atlantic Treaty Organization orders or passports when arriving in Turkey.

The household goods of members assigned to Incirlik on a 15 month tour must clear beyanname 15 months from the day they arrive on station or they will incur the inconvenience fee. Members on a two year tour have exactly two years on station before they incur this fee. This applies to items on the housing inspection list only, not to the individuals themselves, said Mr. Polatöz.

"Members can remain in Turkey after their DEROS as long as their beyanname is cleared before their DEROS date," said Jaques Janvier, 39th Logistics Readiness Squadron Traffic Management officer.

When preparing to leave Incirlik, members should also be aware of items that cannot be taken out of Turkey, primarily antiquities. "Any item over 50 years old requires a certificate from the museum in Adana before it can be shipped," said Mr. Polatöz. "Antique items are not permitted to leave the country."

Turkish carpets and old motorcycles are popular items that could fall under this rule.

If a person has an invoice for a Turkish carpet stating that it's brand new, or under 50 years old, it doesn't require a museum permit, Mr. Polatöz added.

"Be proactive and involved with your PCS move and make sure you are up-to-date with all your paperwork before your inspectors arrive. Doing so will increase the likelihood of a smooth move out of Turkey," said Mr. Janvier.