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Türkiye has reinstated a Special Consumption Tax (SCT) of 8% on yachts, motorboats, and pleasure vessels, ending an 8.5-year period in which such purchases were exempt.
The decision came into force following its publication in the Official Gazette on Saturday, applying to yachts, motorboats, and other pleasure craft, whether designed for use at sea or inland waters.
The return of the tax follows years of public debate. Critics had pointed out the contrast between high SCT rates on essential goods such as automobiles and the absence of such levies on luxury yachts.
With the new decree, this disparity is partially addressed, though automobiles continue to carry substantially higher SCT rates.
Türkiye collected ₺1.02 trillion ($24.73 billion) in SCT revenues during the January–July period of 2025, accounting for 17.89% of total tax income.
While yachts represent only a small fraction of this figure, the revised rate adds a additional source of revenue to the government’s budget.
Türkiye is also a major producer of superyachts, ranking second worldwide with 146 projects under construction and an average vessel length of 43.9 meters (144.0 feet), according to The Global Order Book 2025 published by Boat International.
The country holds a 12.9% share in global orders by number and a 14% share by total length of projects.
During the January–August period, Türkiye’s ship, yacht, and services exports totaled $1.25 billion.
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