taking bacon to turkey

[eddie]

hi we usually take a kilo of bacon wrapped in towels etc ,but have read on trip advisor someone got fined 3000 turkish lira for taking bacon in their case ,has anyone heard about this or had any bother latley ,3000 lira is a lot of english breakfasts ,eddie .

[Sami]

You can get English bacon out there now. Not sure where but seems that all the restaurants can get hold of it.

[mauler45red]

We do it every year also sausage as well.

Never had any problems.

[Sami]

I wouldn't bother using my luggage allowance on food items. There are more important things to use it on but each to their own.

[Chocoholic]

I have been told by several restaurant owners that the bacon they use is what the tourist friends bring, English bacon to buy there is as rare as hens teeth, stuff they have is from the wild boars. I have over the years took bacon and sausages for them but the past couple of years I have had a hard time getting the money back and then not so much as a free drink so never again. It's just as well if they are getting strict.

[dksbbs]

It is actually illegal to export meat products out of the EU without a license in the same way it is illegal to bring honey back from Turkey but most people do it as people are very rarely stopped.

Dave

[dksbbs]

Proper bacon and not wild boar meat can be bought in Turkey legal.
There are at least three companies who have an import licence to do so.
All though restaurants do rely on friends bringing it in, they can and do buy it from these importers.
Peli

I stand corrected, So if I understood correctly if we buy from these companies we will comply with the law and not risk being fined if stopped? Do you know who they are and how you buy from them.

Dave

[toonarmybarmy]

It is illegal to take Meat or Dairy products into Turkey, as it in in most countries. So I would not be surprised if the fine were high if caught. However, as usual, what are the chances of being caught?

Tim

[dksbbs]

Hi Dave
these companies are for wholsale but if you are well in with a restaurant or bar they might get you a 5 or 10 kilo pack, We do but obviously I dont want their name banded about.
Also back bacon is for sale in Kippa.but a hell of a price.
Basically there is no religious thing going on, as Turkey is quite tolerant in most things.
Peli

hi Peli thanks for the clarification, I didn't read your first post correctly.

Tim as you say I think there is little chance of being caught as long as people know the facts thats the main thing.

Dave

[feefee1970]

i read it was all food ?

[georgiegirl58]

We took bacon, cheese, butter and cooking lard with us and no problem. Also managed to take 5 ltrs alcohol, granted one was bought at Dalaman but 2 were from airport and 2 from plane, again no problem.

[toonarmybarmy]

We took bacon, cheese, butter and cooking lard with us and no problem. Also managed to take 5 ltrs alcohol, granted one was bought at Dalaman but 2 were from airport and 2 from plane, again no problem.

You and many others I'm sure. But that doesn't mean it is not illegal and, no matter how small the chance of being caught, I imagine the penalties if you are caught, would be large and possibly affect your ability to visit Turkey in the future.

[feefee1970]

is the fine just over one thousand pounds im not good at counting ?

[toonarmybarmy]

is the fine just over one thousand pounds im not good at counting ?

Assuming the story is true, then, at an exchange rate of 2.8, it would be approx £1070