Air express shipping from and to Turkey offers one of the most reliable and efficient ways to send parcels, documents, and ecommerce goods across the globe. With world-class air hubs in Istanbul, Ankara, and Izmir, express shipments can reach Europe and the Middle East within 1-3 business days and North America within 3-5 business days.
Whether you're a business exporting textile samples, an ecommerce merchant fulfilling international orders, or an individual sending personal parcels, air express from Turkey ensures door-to-door service, real-time tracking, and customs support.
It's ideal for both commercial and private shipments requiring speed and reliability.
Air express shipments operate through:
Air Express Services
Air express shipping connects senders with global courier networks. Parcels are picked up from your location, processed through export customs, flown to destination hubs, and delivered directly to the recipient - typically within days.
While air freight is ideal for large cargo, air express provides priority handling, door-to-door delivery, and real-time tracking. It's the preferred method for smaller, high-value, or time-sensitive shipments that require faster customs clearance.
Air express rates are based on volumetric (dimensional) weight, whichever is greater between size and actual weight. Compact and secure packaging keeps costs low and ensures faster transit.
Prices can increase during Ramazan Bayramı, Kurban Bayramı, Black Friday, and New Year, when ecommerce activity and export volumes peak. Booking early helps secure better rates.
All imports and exports are regulated by T.C. Ticaret Bakanlığı through the Customs Directorate (Gümrükler Genel Müdürlüğü).
Import Duties: 0-20% depending on HS code and origin.
KDV (VAT): standard rate 20% applied to imports.
Simplified Import Scheme: shipments under EUR 150 (approx. USD 160) qualify for express customs clearance (Hızlı Kargo Rejimi).
Use sturdy export-grade boxes with internal cushioning and secure sealing. Include bilingual (Turkish-English) invoices and clearly marked HS codes to avoid customs delays.
Air Waybill (AWB)
Commercial Invoice (English or Turkish)
Packing List
Customs Declaration (if above simplified limit)
Items prohibited from export or import include currency, weapons, perishable foods, counterfeit goods, and hazardous materials.
Export of antiques or cultural artifacts requires permission from the Kültür ve Turizm Bakanlığı.
Turkey's ecommerce market - powered by Trendyol, Hepsiburada, Amazon Türkiye, and ÇiçekSepeti - depends on efficient cross-border logistics.
iContainers helps Turkish online sellers export to Europe, MENA, and Central Asia using simplified customs and air express integration.
Every parcel is tracked from pickup to delivery. iContainers integrates electronic customs filing with Gümrükler Genel Müdürlüğü and ETGB (Elektronik Ticaret Gümrük Beyannamesi) for faster clearance and compliance.
Usually 1-5 business days, depending on the route and customs processing.
Up to 70 kg per piece and 120 cm in length. Larger cargo must go via standard air freight.
Istanbul (IST, SAW), Ankara (ESB), and Izmir (ADB) handle the majority of express operations.
Air Waybill, Commercial Invoice, and Packing List. Customs declarations are needed for shipments above the simplified limit.
Firearms, currency, perishable foods, hazardous chemicals, and cultural heritage artifacts.
T.C. Ticaret Bakanlığı - Gümrükler Genel Müdürlüğü
https://ticaret.gov.tr/gumruk-islemleri
Gümrük ve Dış Ticaret Mevzuatı - Resmî Gazete
https://www.resmigazete.gov.tr/
Hızlı Kargo Taşımacılığı Rehberi - T.C. Ticaret Bakanlığı
https://ticaret.gov.tr/yurtdisi-tasimacilik/hizli-kargo
Istanbul Airport (İGA) - Cargo Operations
https://www.istairport.com/en/cargo
Sabiha Gökçen Airport (SAW) - Kargo Bilgileri
https://www.sabihagokcen.aero/
Ankara Esenboğa Airport - Cargo & Customs Information
https://www.esenbogaairport.com/
Turkish VAT (KDV) Overview - PwC Turkey
https://taxsummaries.pwc.com/turkey
Trendyol & Hepsiburada - Ecommerce Insights (Statista)
https://www.statista.com/topics/12972/e-commerce-in-turkey/
ETGB (Electronic Commerce Customs Declaration) Guide - PTT / Ticaret Bakanlığı
https://www.ptt.gov.tr/sayfalar/etgb.aspx