Exporting Personal Effects from Turkmenistan: Documents & Customs Rules

Source: FIDI Customs Guide · Updated 2024 · Download the Turkmenistan Export Guide (PDF)

Non-diplomatic for legal entities

• Copy of local passport (for local citizens)
• Copy of international passport (for local citizens)
• Letter of Guarantee from the Shipper or Consignee
• Copies of constituent documents
• Certificate from the place of work indicating that the employee is leaving on a long business trip
• A copy of the work record book or agreement on transfer to another job
• Detailed original invoice, invoice of exported or imported goods
• Customs declaration form
• Invoice

• Foreign citizens arriving to Turkmenistan by business visas.

Import of cars/jeeps/utility vehicles

• Invoice
• Commercial Invoice (indicating engine number and VIN code)
• Application for response to storage of trademarks for local citizens
• Letter of guarantee for response storage as well as letter for temporary import for foreign citizens
• Customs declaration form

• Import of vehicles older than 5 years is prohibited, not counting the year of manufacture, which are over 5 years old
• High-speed sports cars, as well as passenger cars with an engine capacity of less than 1,300 cc and over 3,500 cc
• There are also restrictions on brands, which can only be checked upon request directly with Customs
• Duty is paid depending on the year of manufacture and engine size, upon request

Prohibited Items

• Pneumatic guns, revolvers, machine guns, and other devices that emit plastic and other bullets.
• Second-hand tires (intended for commercial purposes)
• Vehicles with right-hand drive or converted from right to left, except for special equipment and those in transit.
• Vehicles, buses, small buses and motorcycles that, regardless of the year of manufacture, over 12 years (purchased before the entry into force of this resolution
• and imported within 45 days from the date of purchase are not included here).
• Pornographic printed, film, video and audio products
• Printed and audiovisual materials, other media containing information that could harm the political and economic interests of Turkmenistan, its state security, the protection of health and morality of the population.

• Transportation in transit through the territory of Turkmenistan is prohibited.
• Prohibited for individuals to export from Turkmenistan:
• weapons, ammunition, military equipment and components and materials specially designed for their production.
• explosives.
• nuclear materials (including materials in the form of fuel assemblies);
• sources of ionizing radiation.
• technologies and special equipment that can be used to create weapons and military equipment.
• pyrotechnic products (fireworks, firecrackers, flare guns (sparklers, hunting matches and torches are not included here);
• narcotic drugs, psychotropic drugs, precursors, devices or technologies for their use.
• poisons and toxic agents.
• cancelled securities.
• labels (labels), bottle caps and other packaging materials intended for the manufacture of all types of alcoholic products.
• It is recommended to contact your local agent for further information on prohibited items.

Dutiable Items

• New bedding made from 100% cotton yarn
• New and used shoes 5%

Baggage

• Baggage arriving in the country after the passenger has arrived.
• Goods for personal use also include goods transported in accompanied luggage that arrives after the passenger's arrival.
• The passenger can import them without paying customs duties if the luggage does not exceed the established limit of 60 kg
• If the baggage limit exceeds 60 kg, a fee of 10 US dollars per kilogram will be charged.

Wood

• Phytosanitary certificate for wood and wood products.

Diplomatic

• Power of Attorney from Embassy
• Diplomatic note indicating the number of pieces and kilograms
• Copy of Diplomatic passport
• Copy of Diplomatic card

Turkmenistan Moving Guide: Documents, Duties & Shipping Notes

Source: IAM Country Guide · Updated 2026-09-05 · Download the Turkmenistan Country Guide (PDF)

Documents

Documents required for importing used household goods, personal effects, and related shipments.

• Copy of passport
• Copy of visa
• Original bill of lading (OBL) or air waybill (AWB)
• Packing list
• Customs declaration form (completed at customs)

• Pro-forma invoice
• Letter of employment

• Pro-forma invoice
• Permanent return documentation as applicable

• Letter from embassy to the Customs Committee
• Diplomatic note approved by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs
• Copy of diplomatic card

Specific Information

Customs Service Fees: Foreign nationals pay a customs service fee of USD 5.00 per hour for customs processing. This fee applies during physical inspection and clearance procedures.

Turkmen Citizens: Turkmen nationals are not permitted to import household goods and personal effects on a temporary import basis. Full customs taxes and duties apply to any permanent import that does not qualify under the personal-use allowances.

Pre-Alert: A pre-alert with copies of all shipping documents should be sent at least 10 days prior to the shipment's arrival in Turkmenistan. Failure to provide advance documentation may result in heavy import duties and storage penalties.

Weight Limit for Duty-Free Import: Goods imported in personal baggage up to a total weight of 60 kg (including up to 1 kg of jewelry) are exempt from customs duties. Each kilogram above 60 kg is charged at USD 10.00. Each gram of jewelry above 1 kg is charged at USD 0.20.

Currency: Foreign currency may be imported in unlimited amounts provided it is declared to customs on arrival. Individuals may export foreign currency up to USD 10,000 or an equivalent amount, plus any previously declared imported amount.

ISPM 15: Turkmenistan requires that all wood packaging materials comply with ISPM 15 phytosanitary treatment standards.

Turkmenistan operates a tightly controlled import environment with limited publicly available procedures for household goods.

Goods and items brought into Turkmenistan as personal baggage for personal use or as gifts are generally not subject to customs duties if they fall within personal-use thresholds. Goods intended for profit or financial gain are classified as commercial imports and are subject to taxes and duties.

Practical Note: Turkmenistan has a highly bureaucratic customs environment. The destination agent and a licensed local customs broker are essential for any household goods shipment. Requirements can change without public notice, and customs officers have broad discretionary authority.

Prohibited & Restricted Items

The following items are prohibited from import into Turkmenistan:

• All types of personal security weapons, including pepper sprays, stun guns, knuckle dusters, and chain mace
• Toy guns, air pistols, and devices that fire plastic or other bullets
• Right-hand drive vehicles, or vehicles converted from right-hand to left-hand drive
• Vehicles more than five years old (excluding year of manufacture)
• High-speed sport vehicles and vehicles with engine capacity exceeding 3,500 cc
• Pornographic material in any format
• Printed, video, audio, or photographic materials that may harm the political or economic interests of Turkmenistan, its state security, public health, or morality (transit through Turkmenistan is also prohibited)
• Armaments, ammunition, and military equipment
• Explosives and pyrotechnic products (excluding Bengal fires, silicon candles, and torches)
• Nuclear materials, including fuel assemblies
• Ionizing radiation sources
• Technology or equipment that could be used to manufacture weapons or military equipment
• Narcotics, psychotropic substances, precursors, and technologies or devices for their production
• Poisons and toxic substances
• Annulled financial securities
• Tags, corks, and packing materials intended for alcohol manufacture
• Materials for alcohol production

Prohibited Exports (note for return shipments):

• Mumijo (Shilajit)
• Liquorice and liquorice extract
• Propolis
• Precious and semi-precious metals and their semi-finished products
• Domestic birds
• Sturgeon fish (alive or lifeless), their parts and processed products
• Animals, plants, and their parts listed in the Red Book of Turkmenistan [CITES]

The following personal-use allowances apply to travelers entering Turkmenistan. Amounts exceeding these limits are subject to customs duties, excise taxes, and VAT as applicable.

Alcohol (travelers aged 18 and over): 1 liter per person. Amounts in excess are subject to USD 1.00 per liter excise duty, up to 30% customs duty (depending on alcohol content), 15% VAT, and 0.2% customs procedures fee.

*

Precious jewelry, stones, and currency: May only be imported as accompanied baggage and must be declared to customs at the point of entry. Total jewelry allowance is 1 kg; amounts above this are dutiable at USD 0.20 per gram.

Hunting weapons: May be imported with prior authorization from the Ministry of Internal Affairs of Turkmenistan. [PERMIT REQUIRED]

Radio-electronic and high-frequency devices: Including radio microphones, radio stations, radiophones, and other transceiver equipment. Authorization required from the Interdepartmental Commission for Radio Frequencies under the Cabinet of Ministers. [PERMIT REQUIRED]

Works of art, antiques, and archaeological objects: May be imported with authorization from the Ministry of Culture of Turkmenistan, and may only be exported with an export permit. [PERMIT REQUIRED]

Antique carpets and handmade rugs: Export requires permission from State Association "Turkmenhaly." [PERMIT REQUIRED]

Archival materials: Controlled by the Main Archive Department. [PERMIT REQUIRED]

Consignment Instructions

Contact the destination agent to ensure all requirements have been met prior to import, especially for differences regarding air and sea shipments.

Advance Documentation: All documents — copy of passport, visa, OBL/AWB, packing list, and pro-forma invoice — should be sent to the destination agent at least 10 days before the shipment's arrival. Late documentation routinely results in heavy import duties and warehouse storage costs.

Licensed Customs Broker: Turkmenistan requires that customs declarations for commercial and household goods shipments be handled by a licensed local customs broker. A list of licensed customs brokers is available through the State Customs Service at customs.gov.tm.

Ashgabat Customs Office: All permanent import applications must be processed through the Operation Department of the Ashgabat Customs Office. The destination agent must coordinate this directly.

Fees: Budget for customs service fees of USD 5.00 per hour (for foreign nationals) in addition to any applicable duties and taxes. Storage fees accumulate if clearance is delayed.

Access: Turkmenistan is one of the most isolated countries in the world. Overland access is limited, and most international household goods shipments arrive by air into Ashgabat International Airport, or by road/rail through Uzbekistan, Kazakhstan, Iran, or Afghanistan. Sea access via the Caspian Sea is possible through the port of Turkmenbashi. Routing and transit requirements should be confirmed with the destination agent.

Single Window System: Since 2024, Turkmenistan has operated a "Single Window for Export-Import Operations" electronic platform. Confirm with the destination agent whether this system applies to the specific shipment type.