Ocean & Air Freight Shipping From Turkey to the United States
Information and quote from Turkey to the United States for LCL, FCL and Air shipping
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Shipping from Turkey to the United States is common for commercial cargo across automotive parts, machinery, industrial equipment, textiles, chemicals, and retail inventory. Because U.S. import requirements (and inspection risk) can vary by commodity and mode (air vs ocean), the fastest way to prevent delays is to align your shipping mode, document set, and importer readiness before booking.
On the macro level, U.S. goods and services trade with Türkiye totaled an estimated $43.0 billion in 2024. Source: USTR — Republic of Türkiye trade summary.
This page explains your freight options (ocean, air, and air express), typical transit time ranges, and the customs/documentation basics to plan before you ship from Türkiye to the United States.
Türkiye–US Freight Options at a Glance
Shipping from Türkiye to the United States usually involves choosing between ocean freight and air freight, depending on shipment size, urgency, and cost sensitivity.
- Ocean Freight: Most cost-efficient for large, heavy, or non-urgent cargo
- Air Freight: Faster option for time-sensitive or high-value shipments
- Air Express: Expedited, door-to-door service for parcels and small boxes
Most shippers compare speed, cost, and shipment volume before selecting a transport mode on this trade lane.
What Are the Options for Shipping Freight From Turkey to the United States?
Shippers moving cargo from Türkiye to the United States generally choose between three freight options:
Ocean Freight From Turkey to the United States
Ocean freight is the most cost-effective option for large or heavy shipments where transit time is flexible.
- FCL (Full Container Load): Ideal for full container volumes or regular shipments
- LCL (Less than Container Load): Suitable for smaller loads sharing container space
Air Freight from Turkey to the United States
Air freight prioritizes speed and reliability and is commonly used for high-value, time-critical, or low-volume cargo. Pricing is typically based on chargeable weight (actual vs volumetric). You can estimate costs using the Air Freight Calculator.
Air Express from Turkey to the United States
Air Express service Air express is designed for parcels, documents, and small shipments that require fast, door-to-door delivery with simplified handling.
That said, air freight can get significantly more expensive than ocean freight. It’s also unable to ship all types of cargo, limiting the volume, size, weight, and nature of what you can ship by air.
Turkey–US Shipping Mode Comparison
| Factor | Ocean Freight | Air Freight | Air Express |
|---|---|---|---|
| Typical transit | 15–50 days | 2–8 business days | 1–5 business days |
| Cost per unit | Lowest | Higher | Highest |
| Shipment size | Large / heavy cargo | Medium to large pallets | Parcels & small boxes |
| Best for | Cost efficiency | Speed + reliability | Urgent deliveries |
| Customs process | Port-based | Airport-based | Courier-led |
How Much Does it Cost to Ship Cargo From Turkey to the United States?
The cost of shipping cargo from Turkey to the United States will depend on the following:
- Your choice of ocean or air shipping
- Your preference for door-to-door, port-to-port, port-to-door, or door-to-port shipment
- Your consignment’s weight, volume, and size
- Weight and size limits
Use our online freight costs calculator to get an estimate of your shipping costs. The table below provides the current cost for shipping a standard 20-foot container from Turkey to the United States:
TRADE LANE RATES
Freight Shipping Cost from Turkey to the United States for a 20-foot Container
How long does it take to ship cargo from Turkey to the United States?
The transit time for goods shipped from Turkey to the United States is mainly determined by your selected international shipping method. However, other influencing factors include:
- The season of shipment (peak or low season)
- Whether the shipment route is direct or not
- The trade lane's popularity
- Geopolitical instability
- Possible incidents at any port
Transit times on the Turkey–US trade lane vary significantly by transport mode:
- Air Freight: typically 2–8 business days, depending on routing, capacity, and customs processing
- Air Express: typically 1–5 business days for parcels and urgent shipments
- Ocean Freight: typically 15–50 days, depending on port pairs, vessel schedules, and inland connections
For lane-specific timing expectations and seasonal variability, use the Transit Time Calculator.
Customs Clearance in Turkey and the United States
Customs clearance applies to both air and ocean shipments moving between Turkey and the United States. While processing locations differ (airport vs seaport), core requirements are similar:
- Commercial invoice and packing list
- Correct HS codes and declared values
- Transport document (Air Waybill for air shipments, Bill of Lading for ocean shipments)
- Any required permits/approvals (commodity-dependent)
On the Turkey side, customs-related workflows are supported through the Ministry of Trade’s digital customs applications, including Single Window and paperless processes. Source: Ministry of Trade — Digital Customs Applications.
On the U.S. side, import filings run through CBP’s Automated Commercial Environment (ACE). For vessel cargo, Importer Security Filing (ISF “10+2”) requirements may apply. See CBP — ACE and Automated Systems and CBP — Importer Security Filing (10+2).
For document examples and templates, review Air Freight Shipping Documents and the general Shipping Documents.
Should You Choose Ocean Freight or Air Freight?
Choose air freight when:
- Delivery speed is critical
- Cargo value is high relative to weight
- Stock-outs or production delays must be avoided
Choose ocean freight when:
- Cost optimization is the priority
- Cargo is heavy or bulky
- Transit time flexibility exists
Many businesses use ocean freight for planned inventory movements and air freight (or air express) for urgent or exception shipments on the same trade lane.
Ocean Cargo Port Guide
Cargo ports of origin in Turkey
Port of Eregli
The Port of Eregli is a major bulk-handling port, boasting two major bulk terminals and four general cargo docks that operate 24 hours a day. It is mainly used for the shipment of major natural reserves of coal. The port handles 20 million metric tonnes of bulk cargo per year.
Port of Ambarli
The Port of Ambarli is a diverse port in Turkey that handles a variety of bulk, liquid, and container cargo. It occupies 10,000 square meters of land that can host 1,900 to 2,400 vessels annually. The port sees 1.5 million TEUs per year.
Port of Gemlik
The Port of Gemlik is among the oldest major ports in Turkey, starting operations in 1615. It boasts a facility with eight berths capable of handling all kinds of cargo. Every year, it receives 340,000 to 370,000 TEUs.
Cargo ports of arrival in the United States
Port of Houston
The Port of Houston is the busiest foreign waterborne tonnage handling port in the United States and the 10th busiest port in the world, handling 284.9 million metric tonnes of cargo per year.
Port of New York and New Jersey
The Port of New York and New Jersey is the largest natural harbor in the world. It has direct access through the Atlantic. The port is also hailed as the busiest global port, with an annual turnover of $5.5 billion.
Port of Beaumont
The Port of Beaumont is used for military and commercial operations. Its expertise is in handling timber cargo and oil. It handles 57% of all petroleum transport and 14% of all gasoline cargo across the United States.
Air Freight from Turkey to the United States: An airport guide
Airports of origin in Turkey
Istanbul Airport
The Istanbul Airport is the largest of the two international airports serving Istanbul in Turkey. It is located in the district of Arnavutköy. The airport has an annual cargo tonnage of 2.5 million and is a hub for Turkish Airlines, AtlasGlobal, Onur Air, Meraj Airlines, MNG Airlines, and ULS Airlines Cargo.
Ankara Esenboga Airport
The Ankara Esenboga Airport is located in the capital of Turkey, Ankara. It began operations in 1955 and has since carried a large number of passengers per year. The airport is a hub for Turkish Airlines, Pegasus Airlines, and AJet.
Airports of arrival in the United States
John F Kennedy International Airport
The John F Kennedy International Airport serves New York City and its metropolitan area. It is a hub for Delta Air Lines, JetBlue, American Airlines, and more and serves as a focus city airport for JetBlue and Polar Air Cargo.
Tampa International Airport
The Tampa International Airport is located six miles west of Downtown Tampa in Hillsborough County, Florida. It handles 328,000 pounds of cargo and mail annually and is a hub for Southwest Airlines, Silver Airways, Air Florida, United Express, Continental Connection, and Flight Express, Inc.
Detroit Metro Wayne County Airport
The Detroit Metro Wayne County Airport is situated in the City of Romulus and serves Detroit and its surrounding metropolitan area in the state of Michigan. It is the busiest airport in Michigan, handling 347,000 lbs of cargo per year.
Planning costs? Estimate scenarios using the Freight Cost Calculator.
Shipping by air? Compare options with the Air Freight Calculator.
Shipping by ocean? Explore options in Ocean Freight FCL and Ocean Freight LCL.
Unsure about documents? Review Air Freight Shipping Documents and Shipping Documents.
Need timing estimates? Use the Transit Time Calculator.
About Us
Why Ship From Turkey to the United States With iContainers?
Why Us?
Shipping cargo involves multiple factors, including the season, the shipment size, the shipping method, and the origin and destination points.
Leveraging years of industry experience, iContainers offers traditional freight forwarding services with modern technological enhancements for customer convenience. Our digital platform lets you manage your shipment—from requesting a quote to booking and tracking your cargo—all from your mobile device.
Contact us anytime for a free quote. We are always ready to give you the information you need.
Türkiye–US Freight FAQs
Yes. Air freight is significantly faster, while ocean freight is more economical for large shipments.
Yes. Many shippers use ocean freight for planned inventory and air freight (or air express) for urgent or high-priority cargo.
Documentation requirements are similar, but the transport document differs (Air Waybill vs Bill of Lading) and processing locations vary (airport vs seaport).
Most shipments require a commercial invoice and packing list, plus the transport document (AWB for air, B/L for ocean). For templates and examples, review Air Freight Shipping Documents and Shipping Documents.
