Turkey applies 18% value-added tax , called KDV . Most hotels typically combine the tax with a service charge of 10% to 15% while restaurants usually add a 15% service charge . For shopping , value-added tax is nearly always included with prices and some shops also are authorized to refund the tax for foreign passport holders . You can ask for that before buying from the specific shop . The shop will issue a specific invoice for you that can be presented at customs for refunds at the airport .
Also if you buy some antiques , you should always make sure to get an invoice for these items , because there is a penalty for smuggling antiquities in turkey and customs officials are not usually specialized in identifying real antiquities from unreal ones . So an invoice should help in such cases and prevent delays in the airport when you are departing .
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