Container Shipping to Istanbul — Get Instant Quotes
Why Choose iContainers for Shipping to Istanbul
- Lock-in space at Türkiye’s busiest container cluster. Marport—the largest terminal inside the Ambarlı complex—handled ≈ 1.3 million TEU in 2024, equal to 46 % of Ambarlı’s total liftings; prime berths at Marport, Kumport and Mardaş book out weeks ahead. marport.com.tr
- Digital customs, done right. Our platform pre-fills Türkiye’s BİLGE Single-Window declaration, so your import entry lands in Customs’ system minutes after you sign it electronically. turkishgoods.com
- FCL, LCL & sea-air on every lane. Weekly main-line calls link the Americas, Europe and Asia to Ambarlı (TRAMB) on Istanbul’s European shore and, for project loads, Haydarpaşa (TRHAY) on the Asian side—backed by real-time milestone tracking and Turkish/English support.
- Need it faster? Add an air-freight leg via Istanbul Airport (IST)—now Europe’s busiest cargo hub at 1.97 million t in 2024—or SAW on the Asian side for overnight uplift to every major gateway. dailysabah.com
- Plan for Bosphorus & road bottlenecks. Daily vessel traffic restrictions in the strait and truck queues topping 7 000+ moves/day can delay gate-ins; we flag congestion windows early so your boxes stay on schedule.
Our Container Shipping Services to Istanbul
Full Container Load (FCL)
High-volume movers—automotive parts, white goods, machinery, marble slabs, hazelnuts—lock in 20′ & 40′ boxes straight into Ambarlı’s deep-water terminals for same-day road or rail delivery across Marmara and into Eastern Europe.
Less than Container Load (LCL)
SMEs save up to 40 % on loads under 15 m³ with weekly consolidations ex-New York, Valencia, Rotterdam, Singapore & Shanghai—ideal for spare parts and e-commerce restocks.
| Key Service Facts | |
|---|---|
| Popular mode | FCL dominates auto & appliance flows; LCL surging for Amazon-style replenishment |
| Major port / airport served | Ambarlı (Marport, Kumport, Mardaş); niche/project calls at Haydarpaşa. Urgent freight via IST or SAW |
| Typical cargo | Automotive & machinery parts • Textiles & apparel • White goods • Marble/granite • Hazelnuts • Electronics |
| Transit-time snapshots | • Detroit → Istanbul: ≈ 19 days • New York → Istanbul: ≈ 44 days • Valencia → Istanbul: ≈ 6 days • Shanghai → Istanbul: ≈ 37 days (shortest) |
| City-specific challenge | Bosphorus traffic limits and truck congestion at Ambarlı—book 6-8 weeks ahead and add buffer days |
| Alternative option | Door-to-door air freight (1-3 days) via IST/SAW for time-critical or high-value loads |
Container shipping rates to Istanbul
How much does it cost to ship a container to Istanbul?
How Long Does It Take to Ship a Container to Istanbul?
- US East Coast → Istanbul: ≈ 30 – 44 days (direct Med loops)
- Western Mediterranean (e.g., Valencia) → Istanbul: ≈ 5 – 8 days on short-sea feeders
- East Asia → Istanbul: ≈ 35 – 45 days via Suez or Cape routes, carrier-dependent
- Air freight: door-to-door in 1-3 days through IST or SAW.
Popular Routes and Ports for Shipping to Istanbul
Asia-Europe mainline services (AE11/ Silk, Gemini Med-Asia) and North-South strings call Ambarlı weekly, while short-sea feeders connect Ambarlı ↔ Valencia/Barcelona/Constanţa every 2-4 days. Fast truck corridors move containers to Bursa, Ankara and the EU border within 4–24 hours of discharge.
Steps to Book Your Container Shipment with iContainers
- Generate an instant quote online.
- Upload paperwork (commercial invoice, packing list, ATR/EUR-1 if applicable).
- Confirm booking & pay securely.
- Track milestones—gate-in, loading, trans-shipment, arrival—in real time.
- Clear customs—DIY via the BİLGE Single-Window or lean on our licensed brokers.
- Arrange final-mile delivery to factory, FTZ, or Amazon FBA location.
What Can You Ship in a Container to Istanbul?
Common Commodities
- Automotive & machinery parts
- Household appliances
- Textiles & apparel
- Electronics
- Marble & natural stone
- Food ingredients (olive oil, hazelnuts)
Restricted / Prohibited
Firearms, counterfeit brands, cultural artifacts, hazardous waste, untreated wooden packaging without ISPM-15 stamps.
FAQs About Shipping Containers to Istanbul
No—iContainers can file your electronic customs declaration as long as your documents reach us 24 h before vessel arrival. turkishgoods.com
Weekly LCL consolidation from major hubs usually beats FCL on cost and speed-to-availability.
Not by Turkish law, but carrier liability is limited—door-to-door all-risk coverage is strongly recommended.
Secure space 6–8 weeks in advance and add buffer days for Bosphorus traffic and Ambarlı truck queues.