From Turkish Airlines Lost & Found in Istanbul to Cape Town: A Samsung S23+ Recovery Story

The request from South Africa

A customer from Cape Town contacted Ana Kurye after her Samsung S23+ had been found in Istanbul. She was no longer in Turkey, and the phone could not simply be picked up by a cargo company without the required release procedure.

The first attempt had been through DHL. That did not move forward because the Lost & Found unit would not directly release the phone to DHL without the proper authorization route. The customer needed someone in Istanbul who could identify the responsible office, prepare the representative details and attend the airport if release was approved.

Finding the correct Lost & Found process

At first glance, the case looked like a general Istanbul Airport lost property request. Ozlem Boz contacted the relevant office and clarified the key detail: the Samsung phone had been left on a Turkish Airlines aircraft, not somewhere in the public terminal.

That changed the process. The item had to move through Turkish Airlines Lost & Found instructions, with the required authorization documents and Customs approval before the phone could be released to an authorized person.

Authorization, passport copy and boarding pass

The customer prepared the requested documents, including a passport copy, flight document and Turkish authorization or power of attorney. The authorized person's name and details were checked carefully before submission, because even a small mismatch can delay a release request.

Turkish Airlines confirmed that the documents could be accepted and that, subject to Customs control, the recovered phone could be handed over to the authorized person. No passport number, ID number, full address, bank details, signatures or full lost property reference are published here.

The airport collection

Ozlem went to Istanbul Airport with the approved documents and followed the Turkish Airlines Lost & Found and Customs procedure. After the required checks, the Samsung S23+ was successfully released to Ana Kurye.

Preparing the phone for Cape Town

After collection, the phone was checked, protected with bubble wrap and prepared for international return planning. Electronics require special attention because mobile phones contain batteries, and each carrier can apply different rules for international shipments.

The correct customs description also matters. This was not a commercial sale. It was a used personal phone being returned to its owner after a Turkish Airlines lost property case. The shipment planning therefore had to reflect the real item status and selected carrier rules.

What the Customer Said

After the collection and international return process was arranged, the customer shared her experience on Google.

Nasiera Harnekar ★★★★★ View Original Google Review

Case handled by

Ozlem Boz
Founder - Ana Kurye
Istanbul, Turkiye