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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 to $3,800 | 18 to 26 days (East Coast origin) | full loads, machinery |
| Ocean FCL 40ft | $3,000 to $5,000 | 18 to 26 days | high-volume loads |
| Ocean LCL | per CBM | 22 to 32 days | smaller shipments |
| Air freight | $4 to $8 per kg | 1 to 3 days | urgent, high-value |
Add 3 to 6 business days for Turkish customs clearance. West Coast origins (Los Angeles) add 14 to 16 days of transit versus the East Coast, as the transit table below shows.
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 is priced at $2,200 to $3,800 and a 40ft at $3,000 to $5,000, set by season and carrier. LCL is priced per CBM for partial loads. See ocean freight to Turkey.
Air freight cost
Air is priced at $4 to $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 to 26 days |
| Savannah / Charleston → Mersin | Ocean | 20 to 28 days |
| Houston → İzmir/Aliağa | Ocean | 24 to 32 days |
| Los Angeles → Ambarlı / Mersin | Ocean | 32 to 42 days |
| US gateways → Istanbul (IST) | Air | 1 to 3 days |
Add 3 to 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
An Electronic Export Information (EEI) filing in AES is required for every Schedule B number valued over $2,500 per shipment from one exporter to one consignee on one conveyance (15 CFR 30.37(a)). Controlled goods need an EAR or ITAR licence when the item is on the control lists. 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. The Türkiye-EU customs union, in place since 1996, covers industrial products and processed agricultural products. Industrial goods from the EU enter Türkiye tariff-free.
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. According to the U.S. Commercial Service, the Turkish rules for each document are:
| Document | Turkish requirement |
|---|---|
| Commercial invoice | In triplicate including the original; complete description, quantity, unit cost, HS code, delivery method, country of origin and payment terms; see commercial invoice requirements |
| Certificate of origin | Prepared in duplicate, in English, with no corrections; notarized and attested by a Chamber of Commerce or World Trade Center, or certified by a Turkish embassy or consulate; one copy surrendered to customs |
| Bill of lading or air waybill | Details must match the other shipping documents exactly; original plus three copies; see bill of lading types |
| Packing list | Accompanies every commercial shipment |
| Control or health certificates | Required for restricted items, and for plants, animals and their products |
An importer needs only a tax number to import everything except restricted items such as firearms and hazardous materials, according to the same guide (U.S. Commercial Service, Türkiye import requirements and documentation). Products covered by a European CE marking directive need evidence of the CE mark: a conformity certificate from a notified body or a manufacturer's declaration of conformity.
Duties, taxes, and VAT in Turkey
Turkish import duty is set by GTİP classification; VAT applies to the CIF value plus duty. Industrial inputs under Turkish investment incentive programs and the suspension list for raw materials and intermediate inputs qualify for duty concessions, which a licensed broker applies for. Correct GTİP classification before shipment is the main lever to avoid holds.
The US export filing in detail
The EEI deadline depends on the mode (15 CFR 30.4(b)):
- Vessel cargo: file the EEI and give the filing citation to the exporting carrier 24 hours before loading at the US port.
- Air cargo: no later than 2 hours before the scheduled departure of the aircraft.
- Truck cargo: no later than 1 hour before the truck arrives at the border.
- Postdeparture filing: available only to approved USPPIs, up to 5 calendar days after exportation, and never for items on the US Munitions List or shipments that need a BIS licence.
A shipment of mixed lines needs EEI only for the Schedule B numbers over $2,500. The penalty for a failure to file is up to $10,000 per violation under 15 CFR 30.71(b), and a late filing carries up to $1,100 for each day. Interworld Freight files in AES, so the deadline is set against the vessel cut-off, not the sailing date.
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 sell FOB or EXW when the buyer controls the freight; 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.
VAT and the special consumption tax
The U.S. Commercial Service reports that VAT for most goods in Türkiye is 20%, paid by the importer and calculated on the CIF value plus duty and any other charges levied before the goods clear. VAT for most agricultural products ranges from 1% to 10%, and processed products reach 20%. Capital goods, some raw materials and products for investments with incentive certificates are exempt from import fees. A Special Consumption Tax applies to fuel, vehicles, alcohol, tobacco and luxury goods on top of duty and VAT, at rates up to 220% for cars (U.S. Commercial Service, Türkiye import tariffs).
The arithmetic on USD 10,000 CIF of general industrial goods at a 5% duty: duty USD 500, VAT 20% on USD 10,500 equals USD 2,100, and the two taxes total USD 2,600, or 26% of CIF. The 5% rate is an example; the real duty comes from the GTİP code. A freight cost reduction lowers both taxes because freight sits in the CIF value. The insurance premium sits there too, which links this lane to cargo insurance for ocean freight.
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 is priced at $2,200 to $5,000 per container, ocean LCL is per CBM, and air freight at $4 to $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 18 to 28 days, plus 3 to 6 days for Turkish customs. Air freight is 1 to 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 each Schedule B number valued over $2,500 and 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?
The Türkiye-EU customs union covers industrial products and processed agricultural products, and it abolishes customs duties between the two parties. Whether a specific US-origin consignment qualifies for duty-free movement into the EU depends on its customs status in Türkiye, so the broker confirms it before the goods are routed onward.
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.
Ready to ship your freight?
