New advice warns that it’s illegal to buy some antiques in Turkey – which can be on offer for sale in souks and markets.
The government’s foreign travel advice for Turkey states: “The possession, sale and export of antiquities is against the law and carries a prison sentence of 5 to 12 years as well as a substantial fine.
“Some historical items found at local markets and in antique shops can be sold within Turkey but are illegal to export.
“You should confirm the legal requirements before considering a purchase or returning home with an antique/historical item.”
Rough Guides reports: “Under Turkish law it is an offence to buy, sell, export or even possess genuine antiquities (which includes fossils)”.
Exact age limits on such antiques aren’t specified, which means that customs officials can make a subjective decision on anything that foreigners try to take home.
Sun Online previously revealed that a Brit was arrested and slung into a Turkish jail after he attempted to take some coins back to the UK that he had found while snorkelling.
Toby Robyns, 52, was arrested in front of his horrified family as they prepared to fly home.
Airport staff in Bodrum said the coins were historical artefacts.
A friend of ambulance driver Toby, of Southwick, West Sussex, said: "His family are distraught".
The father of five has been held on suspicion of “finding Turkish artefacts without notifying authorities”.
Sun Online Travel previously revealed that a woman was arrested in Florida and sent to prison for trying to take home shells from the beach.
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