Container Shipping to Türkiye — Get Instant Quotes

Why Choose iContainers for Shipping to Türkiye?

• End‑to‑end booking & tracking: compare rates, book space, and follow your freight 24/7 in one dashboard.
• Local expertise: network offices at the country’s busiest gateways—Ambarlı (Istanbul), Kocaeli (Gebze), Aliaga (Izmir), Mersin, Tekirdağ, Iskenderun—handle customs and on‑carriage smoothly. These five ports alone move over 70 % of Turkiye’s boxes, with Ambarlı topping the list at 22.4 % of national TEU volume  Ports Europe.
• Transparent pricing: see ocean, bunker, THC, and documentation surcharges up‑front.
• Multimodal reach: door deliveries across Europe, the Middle East, and Central Asia via rail and cross‑border trucking links.

Our Container Shipping Services to Türkiye

Full Container Load (FCL) Shipping

• Most exporters pick FCL for Türkiye's high‑volume trades in automotive parts, textiles, white goods, and machinery  Eximpedia.
• Weekly services into Ambarlı (IST), Aliaga (IZM), and Mersin (MERS); overflow to Kocaeli and Iskenderun.
• Typical transits: Los Angeles → Ambarlı ≈ 29–32 days; Rotterdam → Gebze ≈ 7–9 days .
• Optional bonded trucking to Bursa (automotive) or Gaziantep (textiles).

Less than Container Load (LCL) Shipping

• Perfect for shipments < 10 CBM—fabrics, spare parts, or samples.
• Consolidation hubs in Hamburg, Piraeus, and Dubai feed weekly LCL boxes to Ambarlı and Izmir in 8–14 days.
• All wood packaging must meet ISPM‑15 heat‑treat/fumigation rules strictly enforced by Turkish NPPO ippc.int.

Need it faster? Air Freight to Turkiye

• Time‑critical electronics or perishables arrive at Istanbul Airport (IST) within 48–72 hours from major gateways; direct freighter legs from LAX clock ≈ 13–14 hours flight time.
• Same‑day transfer to Anatolian Free Zones via domestic road feeder services.

Country‑specific insight: Imports from the EU worth over €6,000 usually clear duty‑free under an A.TR certificate; submitting the e‑A.TR (with QR code) ahead of arrival avoids 2–3‑day holds at customs Taxation and Customs Union.

How Long Does It Take to Ship a Container to Türkiye?

*Port‑to‑port; add 3‑5 days for door pickup/delivery.

Popular Routes and Ports for Shipping to Türkiye

• Ambarlı (Istanbul) – largest box port, 22.4 % national TEU share  Ports Europe.
• Kocaeli/Gebze – preferred for chemicals and auto parts into the Marmara cluster.
• Aliaga (Izmir) – gateway for Aegean textile and white‑goods exporters.
• Mersin – hub for fresh produce and Middle‑East trans‑shipment; note occasional congestion  CMA CGM.
• Iskenderun & Tekirdağ – rising volumes post‑2023, each topping 20 % YoY growth  Container News.

Typical trade lanes:

• Long Beach ↔ Ambarlı (electronics, apparel)
• Hamburg ↔ Kocaeli (machinery, steel)
• Jebel Ali ↔ Mersin (plastics, chemicals)

Steps to Book Your Container Shipment with iContainers

1. Get an instant quote—enter origin, destination, cargo, and INCOTERM.
2. Select schedule & carrier; lock space online.
3. Upload paperwork (Commercial Invoice, Packing List, A.TR or CO when needed).
4. Arrange pickup or deliver to our CFS/terminal.
5. Track shipment in real time with automated ETA alerts.
6. Customs & final mile handled by our Turkish agents; duties payable online.

What Can You Ship in a Container to Türkiye?

Common Commodities

• Automotive parts & accessories
• Textiles, apparel & home linens
• Industrial machinery & household appliances
• Fresh produce (citrus, grapes, nuts)

Restricted or Prohibited Goods

• Narcotics & controlled pharmaceuticals
• Dual‑use chemicals without licence
• Counterfeit branded items
• Untreated wood packaging (non‑ISPM‑15)  ippc.int