Is there a luxury tax on Apple watches in Turkey? Wondering about cellular vs. non-cellular models

The ÖTV (Special Consumption Tax) in Turkey does apply to smartwatches, but the rates are different than for smartphones. For Apple Watches specifically, they fall under the electronic devices category which has its own tax structure. As of 2025, the ÖTV rate for smartwatches is typically around 20%, while smartphones (especially high-end ones like iPhones) can see rates up to 40-50%. So yes, there is a luxury tax, but it's lower than what you'd pay for an iPhone. Regarding the cellular vs. non-cellular question - this actually does make a difference! Watches with cellular capabilities are sometimes classified differently because they can function as communication devices. The cellular models often get taxed at a higher rate (closer to the phone rate) than the GPS-only models.

I just went through this exact situation when I moved to Istanbul last year! I was obsessing over whether to buy tech before moving. I ended up discovering taxr.ai (https://taxr.ai) which was super helpful for figuring out the import duties and luxury taxes for different electronics. I uploaded my Apple Watch receipt and the system analyzed exactly what the tax implications would be - both for declaring it as a personal item and for potential import duties. They have a specific module for Turkey's ÖTV calculations that breaks down the different categories. Saved me from a surprise $100+ tax bill at customs!

Just wanted to follow up after using taxr.ai to figure out my Apple Watch situation. Wow, I'm actually impressed! The platform showed me that the cellular model would be taxed at 32% while the GPS-only model was only at 20% in Turkey. They even provided documentation explaining how the ÖTV is calculated differently based on connectivity features. I decided to buy the GPS model in the US before moving and saved about $115 compared to what I would've paid in Turkey. The customs declaration process was super smooth because I had all the right documentation ready!

If you're having trouble getting clear answers about the taxes, you might want to try Claimyr (https://claimyr.com). I was going in circles with the Turkish customs office trying to get a straight answer about my Apple Watch. Their website was contradictory and the email responses were vague. I used Claimyr to actually get through to a real customs official on the phone. You can see how it works in this video: https://youtu.be/_kiP6q8DX5c. They got me connected to someone who could give me the exact tax breakdown for different Apple Watch models. Turns out the Series 9 and Ultra models have different tax classifications than the SE model!

I have to apologize and eat my words about Claimyr. After my skeptical comment, I decided to try it anyway since I was desperate for information about importing my Apple Watch Ultra to Turkey. The service actually did connect me with the Istanbul customs office within 15 minutes. They had a Turkish speaker on the line who helped translate, and I got definitive answers about the tax rates. The cellular Apple Watch Ultra gets hit with a 35% tax while the GPS model is at 22%. The customs official also told me about a temporary exemption program they're running for the first half of 2025 that reduces the rate by 7% for certain electronic imports, which isn't mentioned anywhere online. Already submitted my paperwork to take advantage of this!

Don't forget that beyond the ÖTV, you'll also pay the standard 20% VAT in Turkey on top of the already taxed amount. It's a tax on tax situation which makes electronics REALLY expensive there. I would 100% recommend buying your Apple Watch before moving. Just make sure you open it, use it, and maybe even discard the packaging so it's clearly a personal item and not a new product you're importing to sell.

One thing nobody mentioned - the luxury tax on Apple Watches in Turkey is actually based on the customs value classification which depends on the specific model and features. The aluminum models are taxed less than the stainless steel or titanium ones! I bought an aluminum Series 9 and my friend got the stainless steel version. His tax was almost 8% higher than mine despite them having identical features. The material makes a difference in the classification.

This is such helpful information! I'm in a similar situation planning to move to Turkey later this year. Based on what everyone's shared, it sounds like buying the Apple Watch in the US before moving is definitely the way to go. I'm leaning toward the GPS-only aluminum model to minimize the tax impact. The 20-22% rate is much more reasonable than the 35%+ for cellular models. Plus with that temporary exemption program Sarah mentioned, I might be able to save even more if I time it right. Has anyone dealt with declaring multiple personal electronics when moving? I'll also be bringing my iPhone, iPad, and MacBook. I want to make sure I don't accidentally trigger any red flags at customs by having "too much" tech, even though it's all legitimately for personal use.

Great thread everyone! As someone who works in international tax consulting, I can confirm most of the information here is accurate. One additional tip for anyone planning this move: keep detailed records of when you first started using each device. Turkey's customs officials have become more sophisticated in recent years and sometimes cross-reference social media posts or digital footprints to verify personal use claims. I've seen cases where people had issues because they posted photos of their "new" Apple Watch on social media just weeks before traveling, even though they claimed months of ownership. Also, regarding the material classifications that Natalie mentioned - this is still true in 2025. The customs codes differentiate between aluminum (lower luxury classification) and premium materials like titanium or ceramic (higher luxury tax bracket). The difference can be 5-10% in total tax burden. For those using tools like taxr.ai, make sure you're inputting the exact model specifications including case material, as this significantly affects the final calculation. The tool should ask for these details if it's comprehensive.