USD business account in Türkiye
A business in Türkiye holds US dollars in a foreign currency deposit account at a Turkish bank, with its own TR IBAN that buyers abroad pay by SWIFT. Export proceeds must reach Türkiye within 180 days, and at least 35% must be sold for lira until 31 January 2027, so the account choice has to fit those rules. This guide covers the rules, a worked example, each option, documents and the law on stablecoins.
- Turkish banks open US dollar foreign currency deposit accounts for companies, each with its own IBAN separate from the lira account.
- Goods export proceeds must be brought into Türkiye within 180 days of the actual export date under the Communiqué issued under Decree No. 32.
- At least 35% of export proceeds linked to an İBKB or DAB must be sold to the issuing bank, and the CBRT has extended that rate to 31 January 2027.
- On their own pages, Airwallex does not list Türkiye as a supported business registration location and Wise does not list Türkiye for holding money.
- The CBRT regulation in force since 30 April 2021 states that crypto assets, including stablecoins, cannot be used in payments directly or indirectly.
- A USD account abroad, including one with Helm, can collect from US buyers by ACH, but goods export proceeds must still reach Türkiye within 180 days.
USD business accounts in Türkiye: the short answer
A company in Türkiye holds US dollars in a foreign currency deposit account at a Turkish bank, called a döviz tevdiat hesabı in Turkish. It is opened alongside the company's Turkish lira (TRY) account, has its own IBAN, and receives dollars from buyers abroad by SWIFT. IBAN is the International Bank Account Number, a standard format that identifies an account across borders; Turkish IBANs start with TR. SWIFT is the international network banks use to send cross-border payments, identified by an 8 or 11 character bank code called a SWIFT code or BIC.
Holding dollars is allowed, but export proceeds come with two rules. Proceeds from goods exports must be brought into Türkiye within 180 days of the export date. And when a bank records those proceeds, at least 35% must be sold to the bank for lira, a requirement the Central Bank of the Republic of Türkiye (CBRT, or TCMB in Turkish) has extended to 31 January 2027. The rest can stay in dollars.
Besides a Turkish bank account, a business in Türkiye can look at foreign payment providers, a US company of its own, or USD account details from a non-bank provider such as Helm. This guide covers the rules, how the 35% sale works on a real payment, each option and who can open it, a comparison, documents, and where stablecoins such as USDT and USDC stand under Turkish law. It is written for importers, exporters, wholesalers, trading companies, agencies and service firms, with a section for freelancers.
Türkiye's foreign exchange rules for USD receipts
Turkish foreign exchange law rests on Decree No. 32 on the Protection of the Value of the Turkish Currency. Article 8 of the Decree states that export proceeds may be freely used, while allowing the Ministry of Treasury and Finance to require their repatriation when needed. The detailed rules sit in a Communiqué under the Decree and in the CBRT's Export Circular (İhracat Genelgesi).
Two documents matter. An İBKB, İhracat Bedeli Kabul Belgesi or export proceeds acceptance certificate, is the record a Turkish bank issues when it receives proceeds and matches them to an export. A DAB, Döviz Alım Belgesi or foreign exchange purchase certificate, is the bank's record of buying foreign currency from a customer. The sale rule applies to proceeds linked to either.
| Rule | What it requires | Where it comes from |
|---|---|---|
| Repatriation of goods export proceeds | Proceeds must be brought into Türkiye within 180 days of the actual export date | Communiqué No. 2018-32/48 under Decree No. 32, Article 3 |
| Extensions | Granted for force majeure in six-month periods, up to 24 months in total | Communiqué under Decree No. 32 |
| Late proceeds | Banks notify the tax office of export files not closed; administrative fines can follow under Law No. 1567 | Decree No. 32 regime and Law No. 1567 |
| Sale of proceeds | At least 35% of export proceeds linked to an İBKB or DAB is sold to the bank that issued the document | CBRT Export Circular, temporary article; standing rule in Annex 3 is 25% |
| How long 35% applies | Extended to 31 January 2027 | CBRT decision reported in August 2026 |
| Conversion support | A support payment for companies that sell foreign currency to the CBRT: 3% until 31 January 2027, with a base rate of 2% | CBRT communiqué on foreign exchange conversion support |
Sources: Andersen Türkiye, Mevzuat Sirküleri 2026/26 (6 May 2026); Alomaliye, export proceeds and DAB ratio (7 May 2026); Para Ajansı report of the CBRT decision (8 August 2026). As published on 29 October 2026. Confirm the current ratio and dates with your bank.
The rules above are written for goods exports. Service income sold to banks is covered by a separate CBRT circular, the Invisible Transactions Circular (Görünmeyen İşlemler Genelgesi), so service exporters should ask their bank which version of the sale rule applies to their receipts.
Paying out dollars from a foreign currency account, for example to a supplier abroad, is a standard bank transfer. Banks typically ask for the supplier's invoice and, for goods, the customs documents, so they can link the payment to the import. Our guide on how to pay Chinese suppliers from Türkiye covers the import side in detail.
How the 35% sale works on a USD export payment
The sale rule is easier to follow on an example. Take a Turkish manufacturer that ships goods to a buyer in the United States and invoices $100,000.
| Step | What happens | Dollars after the step |
|---|---|---|
| 1. Shipment | Goods leave Türkiye; the 180 day window starts on the actual export date | $0 received |
| 2. Buyer pays | The buyer sends $100,000 by SWIFT to the company's USD account at a Turkish bank | Up to $100,000, less any intermediary fees on SHA terms |
| 3. Bank records the proceeds | The bank matches the payment to the export and issues the İBKB | $100,000 linked to the İBKB |
| 4. Required sale | At least 35%, here $35,000, is sold to the bank, which sells it to the CBRT the same day at the CBRT's buying rate | $65,000 stays in the USD account |
| 5. Lira credited | The company receives the full Turkish lira equivalent of $35,000 | $65,000 in USD, plus TRY |
| 6. Optional support | If the company qualifies, it may receive the CBRT conversion support payment on foreign currency it sells | No change to USD |
Worked example by the Helm Editorial Team based on the mechanism described by Alomaliye (7 May 2026) and Andersen Türkiye (6 May 2026), as published on 29 October 2026.
SHA is a SWIFT charge code meaning the fees are shared: the sender pays its own bank, and intermediary banks can deduct theirs from the amount in transit. OUR means the sender pays all fees, and BEN means the receiver pays them all. On large invoices, agree OUR in the contract so the full amount arrives and the İBKB matches the invoice.
The $65,000 left after the sale can be used to pay suppliers abroad, held for later, or sold for lira at the company's choice. For a company that both exports and imports in dollars, this is the main reason to keep a USD account rather than convert everything.
Option 1: a foreign currency account at a Turkish bank
Turkish banks open foreign currency accounts in US dollars, euros, pounds and other currencies for companies registered in Türkiye. Both companies and individuals can open and hold them. The USD account has its own IBAN, separate from the lira account, so give buyers the USD IBAN.
A buyer abroad needs the following details. Ask your bank for its full USD inbound instructions, including any correspondent bank. A correspondent bank is a bank that holds an account for another bank and settles payments in its currency; Turkish banks receive dollars through correspondents in the United States.
| Field on the invoice | What to write | Common mistake |
|---|---|---|
| Beneficiary name | Company's registered name, exactly as on the account | Trade name or abbreviation |
| Beneficiary IBAN | The IBAN of the USD account, starting TR | The lira account's IBAN |
| Beneficiary bank and SWIFT code | Bank's full legal name, head office address and 8 or 11 character code | Branch name only |
| Intermediary bank | The US correspondent your bank names, if any | Left out when the bank requires it |
| Charges code | OUR, if the buyer agreed to pay all fees | SHA by default, so the amount arrives short |
| Reference | Invoice number and, if your bank asks, the export declaration number | No reference, so matching to the export is delayed |
Field list reflects SWIFT payment practice; confirm the exact format with your bank. As published on 29 October 2026.
The strengths of a Turkish bank account are that it sits inside the system that issues the İBKB, so matching proceeds to exports is straightforward, and that it handles lira and dollars together. The limit is that it has no US routing number, so US buyers cannot pay it by ACH, the low-cost US domestic bank transfer system, and must send an international wire.
Options 2 and 3: foreign providers and a US company
Some Turkish businesses want US account details, a routing and account number, so US buyers can pay by ACH or Fedwire, the Federal Reserve's same-day wire system. Who will accept a company registered in Türkiye is set by each provider's own eligibility page.
| Provider or route | What it publishes about Türkiye | What you get if eligible |
|---|---|---|
| Airwallex | Türkiye is not on its list of supported business registration locations; it states it cannot process applications from locations not listed | Not available to companies registered in Türkiye at present |
| Wise | Türkiye is not on its list of countries where customers can hold money with Wise | Holding balances is not available to residents of Türkiye at present |
| A US company of your own | Form a US company, obtain a US tax ID (EIN), then apply to a US bank or fintech | A US account in the US company's name, not the Turkish company's |
| Helm | Serves businesses in Türkiye | USD details in the Turkish company's own name, with a routing and account number that receives ACH, Fedwire and SWIFT |
Sources: Airwallex, eligible countries and territories for business registration; Wise, where do I need to live to hold money with Wise. As published on 29 October 2026. Lists change; check each page before applying.
Any account outside Türkiye is a collection point, not an exemption. For goods exports, the proceeds still need to reach Türkiye within 180 days of export, and the sale rule applies once a Turkish bank links them to an İBKB or DAB. Before asking buyers to pay an account abroad, ask your Turkish bank how it will document the transfer from that account so it can close the export file.
A US company adds a second set of books: state filings, a registered agent and US tax returns. Money paid to it belongs to the US company, so it does not match invoices and customs declarations issued by the Turkish company.
The options compared
The table compares types of account, not providers, and is not a ranking. Many Turkish exporters use a Turkish bank for proceeds and lira costs, and a second USD account for buyers who want to pay by ACH.
| Turkish bank FX account | Foreign provider with US details | Account of a US company | Helm USD account | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Account holder | Turkish company | Turkish company, if accepted | US company | Turkish company |
| Account details | TR IBAN and SWIFT code | US routing and account number | US routing and account number | US routing and account number, plus EUR and GBP details |
| How a US buyer pays | International wire (SWIFT) | ACH or wire | ACH or wire | ACH, Fedwire or SWIFT |
| Export proceeds rules | İBKB issued directly; 35% sale applied | Funds must still reach Türkiye within 180 days | Proceeds belong to the US company | Funds must still reach Türkiye within 180 days |
| Main limits | No ACH from US buyers | Airwallex and Wise do not list Türkiye | Second company and filings | Helm is not a bank; accounts are held with regulated partner institutions |
Source: Helm Editorial Team, drawing on the sources cited in this guide, as published on 29 October 2026.
USDT and USDC in Türkiye: what the law says
Stablecoins are digital tokens designed to hold a steady value against a currency. USDT and USDC are the two largest that track the US dollar. Two Turkish rules govern them.
| Rule | What it says | In force |
|---|---|---|
| CBRT Regulation on the Disuse of Crypto Assets in Payments | Crypto assets cannot be used in payments directly or indirectly, and no service can be provided for payments made through crypto assets. Payment and electronic money institutions may not build business models that use crypto assets or act as intermediaries for crypto trading, custody or transfer platforms. | Published 16 April 2021, effective 30 April 2021 |
| Law No. 7518 amending the Capital Markets Law | Crypto asset service providers, such as exchanges and custodians, must obtain authorization from the Capital Markets Board (SPK) to operate | Official Gazette No. 32590, 2 July 2024 |
Sources: CMS, Turkey introduces its first regulation on crypto assets; Mondaq, Amendments on Capital Markets Law on crypto assets. As published on 29 October 2026.
For a Turkish company, the practical reading is that USDT or USDC cannot be used to pay a supplier or to receive payment for goods or services, whatever the currency the token tracks. Holding crypto assets through an authorized provider is a separate question governed by Law No. 7518. Helm accounts can receive, send and convert USDC and USDT, but a company in Türkiye should not use those features to make or receive payments, and should take Turkish legal advice on any stablecoin activity.
Documents Turkish banks ask for
Turkish banks open a corporate account only after the company is registered with the Trade Registry, and they run know your customer (KYC) checks on the company and its beneficial owners. KYC means the checks a bank makes on who owns and controls a company and where its money comes from.
| Category | Document | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Company | Articles of association | Sets out the company's structure and rules |
| Company | Trade Registry Gazette | Announces the company's establishment |
| Company | Certificate of registration | Shows the company is actively registered |
| Company | Tax registration certificate | Shows the tax number and tax office |
| People | Original passports and Turkish tax ID numbers | For all shareholders and authorized signatories |
| People | Residence permits and proof of address | For foreign shareholders or signatories, and for significant shareholders |
| Representation | Notarized power of attorney | If an attorney opens the account |
Source: Mondaq, Bank Account in Turkey: A Complete Guide for Individual and Businesses, 2025. As published on 29 October 2026. Requirements vary by bank.
All authorized signatories usually attend the bank with original documents. Foreign documents generally need an apostille and a sworn Turkish translation. Providers that offer US account details ask for a similar set, plus evidence of trade: contracts, invoices, customs declarations and a description of buyers, suppliers and expected monthly volumes in each currency.
Freelancers, service exporters and where Helm fits
Freelancers and small agencies in Türkiye who bill clients abroad, such as software developers, designers and translators, can open a foreign currency account at a Turkish bank as individuals or through a sole proprietorship. The same limit applies as for companies: no US routing number, so US clients pay by international wire. Because Airwallex and Wise do not list Türkiye for business registration or holding money, check any other provider's own eligibility page before relying on it.
Helm provides USD account details in the company's own name, with a routing and account number that receives ACH, Fedwire and SWIFT, so US buyers can pay as they pay domestic suppliers. EUR details (IBAN, SEPA and SWIFT) and GBP details (sort code, Faster Payments and SWIFT) sit alongside. Helm sends payments to suppliers by SWIFT and by local rails in the supplier's currency where available, showing the rate, fee and expected arrival before you send, and arranges trade finance case by case.
For goods exporters, a Helm account works as a collection account alongside the Turkish bank: the buyer pays Helm, and the proceeds are transferred to the company's USD account in Türkiye within the 180 day window so the bank can issue the İBKB. Helm is a financial technology company, not a bank, and accounts are held with regulated partner institutions. Helm agrees pricing with each business in writing before the account opens, and shows the rate, the fee and the expected arrival before you confirm each payment. Exporters in other markets face similar rules, as the guide to a USD business account in the UAE shows by contrast.
A checklist for Turkish businesses:
- Open a USD foreign currency account at your Turkish bank before the first export.
- Diary the export date plus 180 days for every shipment.
- Budget for at least 35% of each export payment to be sold for lira until 31 January 2027.
- Give buyers the USD IBAN and agree OUR charges.
- Ask your bank how it will document proceeds that arrive from an account abroad.
- Do not use crypto assets, including stablecoins, to make or receive payments.
Open a Helm account
USD, EUR and GBP accounts in your company's name, with a named account manager.
Open accountQuestions
Can a Turkish company open a USD account?
Yes. Turkish banks open foreign currency deposit accounts in US dollars for companies registered in Türkiye, alongside the lira account. The USD account has its own IBAN starting TR and receives payments from abroad by SWIFT.
Do Turkish exporters have to sell their dollars?
Partly. At least 35% of export proceeds linked to an İBKB or DAB must be sold to the bank that issued the document, which sells it to the CBRT the same day. The CBRT has extended the 35% rate to 31 January 2027; the standing rate in the Export Circular is 25%.
How long do Turkish exporters have to bring proceeds into Türkiye?
The Communiqué under Decree No. 32 sets a maximum of 180 days from the actual export date. Extensions for force majeure are granted in six-month periods, up to 24 months in total.
What is an İBKB?
An İBKB, İhracat Bedeli Kabul Belgesi, is the export proceeds acceptance certificate a Turkish bank issues when it receives and matches export proceeds to an export. Proceeds linked to an İBKB fall under the sale rule.
Can I keep the rest of my export proceeds in dollars?
Yes. After the required sale, the remaining dollars can stay in the company's USD account and be used to pay suppliers abroad or sold for lira later. Article 8 of Decree No. 32 states that export proceeds may be freely used.
Can a company in Türkiye open a Wise or Airwallex business account?
On their own pages as published on 29 October 2026, Türkiye is not on Airwallex's list of supported business registration locations and is not on Wise's list of countries where customers can hold money. Check both pages again before applying, as the lists change.
Is it legal to pay suppliers in USDT in Türkiye?
No. The CBRT's Regulation on the Disuse of Crypto Assets in Payments, effective 30 April 2021, states that crypto assets cannot be used in payments directly or indirectly. Crypto asset service providers must also be authorized by the Capital Markets Board under Law No. 7518.
Can a Turkish exporter receive USD into an account abroad?
A buyer can pay an account outside Türkiye, but for goods exports the proceeds must still be brought into Türkiye within 180 days of the export date, and the sale rule applies once a Turkish bank links them to an İBKB. Ask your bank how it will document the transfer.
What documents do Turkish banks need for a company account?
Typically the articles of association, Trade Registry Gazette, certificate of registration, tax registration certificate, and the passports and Turkish tax ID numbers of shareholders and signatories. Foreign shareholders may also need residence permits and proof of address.
References
- Andersen Türkiye: Mevzuat Sirküleri 2026/26, export proceeds sale obligation continues (6 May 2026)
- Alomaliye: Export proceeds linked to DAB, ratio continues at 35% (7 May 2026)
- Para Ajansı: CBRT changes foreign exchange conversion support, 35% sale obligation extended to 31 January 2027 (8 August 2026)
- CMS: Turkey introduces its first regulation on crypto assets
- Mondaq: Amendments on Capital Markets Law on crypto assets (Law No. 7518)
- Mondaq: Bank Account in Turkey, a complete guide for individuals and businesses (2025)
- Airwallex: Eligible countries and territories for business registration
- Wise: Where do I need to live to hold money with Wise?
This guide is general information for businesses, not financial, legal or tax advice. Rules, fees and timings were checked against the sources listed on the review date and may change.