Shipping from the USA to Turkey moves machinery, aircraft parts, electronics, cotton, scrap metal, and agricultural goods from American suppliers to Turkish industry. This guide covers the full picture: ocean and air costs, transit times, the US export filing, Turkish customs clearance through Türkiye Gümrük, the GTİP tariff system, duties and VAT, and the step-by-step process. When you are ready to book, our freight forwarding from the USA to Turkey service runs the lane end to end.
Quick answer: cost and transit at a glance
| Method | Indicative cost | Transit (port to port) | Best for |
|---|---|---|---|
| Ocean FCL 20ft | $2,200–$3,800 | 18–26 days (East Coast origin) | full loads, machinery |
| Ocean FCL 40ft | $3,000–$5,000 | 18–26 days | high-volume loads |
| Ocean LCL | per CBM | 22–32 days | smaller shipments |
| Air freight | $4–$8 per kg | 1–3 days | urgent, high-value |
Add 3–6 business days for Turkish customs clearance. West Coast origins (Los Angeles) add transit versus the East Coast.
How much does it cost to ship from the USA to Turkey?
Ocean freight cost
A 20ft container from the US East Coast to Ambarlı or Mersin runs roughly $2,200–$3,800, a 40ft $3,000–$5,000, by season and carrier. LCL is priced per CBM for partial loads. See ocean freight to Turkey.
Air freight cost
Air runs about $4–$8 per kg (actual or volumetric, whichever is greater) from US gateways to Istanbul. See air freight to Turkey.
Origin, destination, and Turkish charges
US origin haulage and export handling, destination handling at the Turkish port, customs brokerage, Turkish import duty (by GTİP), and VAT on the CIF value are added. We bill in USD.
How long does shipping from the USA to Turkey take?
| Origin → destination | Mode | Transit |
|---|---|---|
| New York/Newark → Ambarlı (Istanbul) | Ocean | 18–26 days |
| Savannah / Charleston → Mersin | Ocean | 20–28 days |
| Houston → İzmir/Aliağa | Ocean | 24–32 days |
| Los Angeles → Ambarlı / Mersin | Ocean | 32–42 days |
| US gateways → Istanbul (IST) | Air | 1–3 days |
Add 3–6 business days for Turkish customs clearance.
Shipping methods compared: FCL, LCL, air, and breakbulk
- FCL: a sealed container for your cargo only; cheapest per unit on full loads of machinery or industrial inputs. See shipping a container to Turkey.
- LCL: share container space, pay per CBM; best for smaller shipments.
- Air freight: days not weeks, for urgent or high-value goods.
- Breakbulk / RoRo: for oversized machinery, project cargo, and vehicles.
Main ports and airports on the US-Turkey lane
US origin gateways
New York/Newark, Savannah, Charleston, Norfolk, and Houston by ocean; Los Angeles/Long Beach for West Coast; JFK, ORD, and ATL for air.
Turkish destination gateways
- Ambarlı (Istanbul): the main Marmara container gateway.
- Mersin International Port (MIP): the Mediterranean gateway.
- İzmir / Aliağa: the Aegean industrial gateway.
- Gemlik and DP World Yarımca (Kocaeli); Istanbul Airport (IST) for air.
US export filing and Turkish customs clearance
US export side
Shipments over $2,500 per Schedule B (or controlled items) require an Electronic Export Information (EEI) filing in AES. Controlled goods may need EAR or ITAR licensing. We handle the AES filing.
Turkish import side
Imports clear through Türkiye Gümrük (Turkish Customs). Cargo is classified under the GTİP tariff code; a commercial invoice, packing list, bill of lading or air waybill, and certificate of origin are required. Eligible industrial goods can use EU-Turkey Customs Union routings for onward duty-free EU distribution.
Required documents
Commercial invoice, packing list, Bill of Lading or Air Waybill, certificate of origin, AES/EEI filing (where required), and any agency licenses for controlled goods.
Duties, taxes, and VAT in Turkey
Turkish import duty is set by GTİP classification; VAT applies to the CIF value plus duty. Some industrial inputs qualify for concessions under Turkish incentive programs, which a licensed broker can apply for. Correct GTİP classification before shipment is the main lever to avoid holds.
Prohibited and restricted items
Firearms and ammunition, hazardous materials (IATA/IMDG rules), controlled technology (EAR/ITAR), and certain agricultural or food items require permits or are barred. We screen every shipment before loading.
Packing, labeling, and cargo insurance
Export-grade, sea-worthy packaging; palletize where possible; label with consignee, destination, and HS/GTİP code. All-risk cargo insurance is advised on this transatlantic lane and arranged on request.
Incoterms for the US-Turkey lane
US exporters often sell FOB or EXW; for door-to-door control into Turkey, DAP or DDP put the forwarder in charge through Turkish customs and final delivery. We advise the Incoterm that fits your risk and cost split.
Top commodities shipped from the USA to Turkey
Machinery and mechanical appliances, aircraft and parts, electronics, cotton and fibers, iron and steel scrap, mineral fuels, and agricultural products.
Step-by-step: how to ship from the USA to Turkey
- Quote: share commodity, volume, US origin, Turkish destination, and Incoterm.
- Book and collect: pickup and consolidation at US origin under one bill of lading.
- File AES and load: we submit the EEI where required and dispatch by ocean or air.
- Clear Turkish customs: the broker files under the correct GTİP code and settles duty and VAT.
- Deliver: final delivery across Turkey, or onward into the EU under the Customs Union.
How to choose a freight forwarder for the US-Turkey lane
Pick a forwarder with a dedicated US-Turkey desk, AES filing capability, Türkiye Gümrük and GTİP expertise, EU-Turkey Customs Union know-how, USD billing, and one point of contact across ocean, air, and customs. A single freight forwarder contract beats splitting a US carrier and a Turkish broker.
Why Interworld Freight for shipping from the USA to Turkey
Interworld Freight, headquartered in Miami, runs the US-Turkey lane both ways with ocean, air, road, AES filing, and Turkish customs clearance under one contract, coordinated by our dedicated Turkey desk. Book the lane on our freight forwarding from the USA to Turkey page, or see the reverse direction, shipping from Turkey to the USA.
Frequently Asked Questions
How much does it cost to ship from the USA to Turkey?
Ocean FCL runs about $2,200–$5,000 per container, ocean LCL is per CBM, and air freight $4–$8 per kg. Turkish duty (by GTİP) and VAT are added on the CIF value at clearance. Request an itemized USD quote.
How long does shipping from the USA to Turkey take?
Ocean from the US East Coast to Ambarlı or Mersin is about 18–28 days, plus 3–6 days for Turkish customs. Air freight is 1–3 days.
What is the cheapest way to ship from the USA to Turkey?
LCL ocean freight for small loads, FCL once you fill most of a container. Air is fastest but most expensive.
Do I need to file AES/EEI to export to Turkey?
Yes, for shipments over $2,500 per Schedule B line or for controlled goods. We file the EEI in AES for you.
How does Turkish customs and GTİP work?
Turkish Customs (Türkiye Gümrük) classifies your cargo under a GTİP tariff code that sets duty; VAT applies on the CIF value. A licensed broker files the entry; we coordinate it.
Can eligible goods use the EU-Turkey Customs Union?
Yes. Industrial goods that meet origin rules can move duty-free between Turkey and the EU, useful if Turkey is a distribution hub for European delivery.
Which Turkish ports receive cargo from the USA?
Mainly Ambarlı (Istanbul), Mersin, and İzmir/Aliağa by ocean, and Istanbul Airport (IST) by air.
Do you also ship from Turkey to the USA?
Yes. See our guide on shipping from Turkey to the USA and the Turkey to USA forwarding service.