Türkiye Introduces 8% Special Consumption Tax on Certain Marine Vessels

A Presidential Decree published in the Official Gazette dated 6 September 2025 numbered 33009 has introduced an 8 percent Special Consumption Tax for certain marine vessels. The decree entered into force on the same date.

Under this regulation an 8 percent ÖTV will apply to marine vessels for which the first acquisition takes place as of 6 September 2025, meaning the date on which the first invoice for the vessel is issued.

Background

Vessels listed under Schedule II of the Special Consumption Tax Law had been subject to a zero percent ÖTV rate since 3 February 2018. With the new decree this exemption has been narrowed and replaced with a fixed 8 percent tax rate.

In parallel Article 13/A of the VAT Law which entered into force in January 2024 introduced a significant VAT exemption for marine vessels. However in practice this exemption has increasingly been subject to restrictive interpretations. While the sector expected these practices to be clarified or corrected the recent regulation has instead introduced a new tax burden through the application of ÖTV.

Vessels Subject to the New Tax

The regulation applies to certain vessels listed under Schedule II of the Special Consumption Tax Law including:

• Pleasure boats not exceeding 18 gross tonnage intended for navigation at sea

• Passenger and pleasure vessels not intended for navigation at sea

• Yachts and other recreational or sports vessels

• Rowboats and canoes subject to certain exceptions

Potential Sectoral Implications

This development is expected to have significant implications for companies and investors operating in the maritime and yachting sector.

While the regulation creates a new source of public revenue its potential effects on Turkey’s yacht tourism marina investments and foreign investor interest are already being discussed within the sector.

Particular attention should be paid to

• The impact on international competitiveness

• The reflection of the tax burden on vessel acquisition costs

• The potential increase in administrative and judicial disputes