Ocean & Air Freight Shipping from the United States to Turkey
Information and quote from the United States to Turkey for LCL, FCL and Air shipping
- Compare Thousands of Quotes from Multiple Carriers
- Trusted by 10,000+ Customers
- 40,000+ Trade Lanes Covered Globally
Shipping from the United States to Turkey is common for commercial cargo ranging from industrial machinery and electrical equipment to spare parts, chemicals, and retail inventory. The most common cause of avoidable delays on this lane is not the transport itself, it’s misalignment between export filing, document readiness, and the importer’s clearance setup in Turkey.
For an official macro view, U.S. goods and services trade with Turkey 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 the US to Turkey.
US–Turkey Freight Options at a Glance
Shipping from the United States to Turkey 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 the United States to Turkey?
Shippers moving cargo from the United States to Turkey generally choose between three freight options:
Ocean Freight From the United States to Turkey
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
Learn more about container options in Ocean Freight FCL and Ocean Freight LCL.
Air Freight from the United States to Turkey
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).
Air Express from the United States to Turkey
Air Express shipping is designed for parcels, documents, and small shipments that require fast, door-to-door delivery with simplified handling.
US–Turkey 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 the United States to Turkey?
The cost to ship cargo from the US to Turkey depends on a variety of factors. These include:
- 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
For an estimate of your shipping costs, use our online freight costs calculator. The table below lists the current cost of shipping a standard 20-foot container from the US to Turkey:
TRADE LANE RATES
Freight Shipping Cost from the United States to Turkey for a 20-foot Container
How long does it take to ship cargo from the United States to Turkey?
The transit time for goods shipped from the US to Turkey 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 US–Türkiye 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 the United States and Turkey
Customs and compliance checks apply to both air and ocean shipments moving between the United States and Turkey. 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)
For exports from the United States, certain shipments require Electronic Export Information (EEI) filing via the Automated Export System (AES). Source: U.S. Census Bureau — Export Filing (AES).
On the Turkey side, many customs workflows are supported through the Ministry of Trade’s digital customs applications, including the Single Window System (TPS). Source: Ministry of Trade — Digital Customs Applications.
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 the United States
Port of Miami
The Port of Miami is a highly versatile port. It can handle a wide range of cargo types and is also the world’s largest cruise port. It has been subject to transformative infrastructure projects, including the Deep Dredge Project, which has enhanced its capabilities and connectivity. Every year, the port handles over 1.2 million TEUs.
Port of Oakland
The Port of Oakland is located in California, US. It is able to welcome large vessels and is popular for its environmental sustainability. The port has a truck management program to promote the reduction of emissions. It handles over 2.34 million TEUs per year.
Port of Charleston
The Port of Charleston is popular because of its efficient operations and commitment to sustainability. It helps support economic growth and infrastructure development in South Carolina, having an economic impact of over $17 billion. The port handles over 2.79 million TEUs per year.
Cargo ports of arrival in Turkey
Port of Izmir
The Port of Izmir ranks third among Turkish ports in terms of size and longevity. It began its operations in the year 1959 and spans 902,000 square meters in land area. It handles more than 60% of container volume, making it a major container gateway in Turkey.
Port of Eregli
The Port of Eregli is a major bulk-handling port. It boasts two major bulk terminals and 4 general cargo docks running for 24 hours. The port’s ore terminals have the highest length of 400 meters. It has an operational capacity of 20 million metric tonnes of bulk cargo.
Port of Ambarli
The Port of Ambarli is able to handle a wide range of bulk, liquid, and containerized cargo. It spans over 10,000 square meters in land area, housing operational and warehouse segments. The port serves as a host to 1,900 to 2,400 vessels of all sizes every year.
Air Freight from the United States to Turkey: An airport guide
Airports of origin in the United States
Cincinnati/Northern Kentucky International Airport
The Cincinnati/Northern Kentucky International Airport is an important cargo airport in the Midwest, ranking 6th in the entire United States. It has seen a 104% increase in landed cargo weight in the last couple of years, a growth rate higher than every other cargo airport in the top 16.
Ted Stevens Anchorage International Airport
The Ted Stevens Anchorage International Airport is the second-largest cargo airport in the US by landed weight. It’s an essential stop for planes because of its strategic location—only 9.5 hours from 90% of the industrialized world.
Tampa International Airport
The Tampa International Airport is the second-largest cargo airport in the US state of Florida. Nationally, it ranks 26th. The airport handled 231% more cargo in recent years. It’s the subject of a capital program that invested $69 million in its cargo facilities.
Airports of arrival in Turkey
Istanbul Airport
The Istanbul Airport is the largest international airport in Turkey and the second busiest in Europe. It serves the city of Istanbul, located in the district of Arnavutköy. The airport handles over 2.5 million metric tonnes of cargo per year.
Milas Bodrum Airport
The Milas Bodrum Airport serves the Turkish towns of Bodrum and Milas. It is located 26 kilometers northeast of Bodrum and 16 kilometers south of Milas. The airport services the Corendon Airlines.
About Us
Why Ship From the United States to Turkey With iContainers?
Why Us?
Transporting cargo involves numerous factors, including the season, the size of your shipment, the shipping method, and the origin and destination points.
With extensive industry experience, iContainers combines traditional freight forwarding services with modern technology for your convenience. Our digital platform lets you manage every aspect of your shipment—from obtaining a quote to booking and tracking your cargo—all from your mobile device.
Don't hesitate to reach out for a free quote at any time. We are always ready to provide you with the information you need whenever you need it.
US–Türkiye 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.
