Shipping from Turkey to the USA is one of the busiest transatlantic trade lanes, carrying steel, stone, machinery, textiles, carpets, and food from Turkish factories to American buyers. This guide covers everything you need to plan a shipment: what it costs by ocean and air, how long it takes, which mode fits your cargo, how US customs clearance and the ISF filing work, what duties and tariffs apply, and the exact step-by-step process. When you are ready to book, our freight forwarding from Turkey to the USA 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–$3,750 | 16–24 days (East Coast) | full loads, heavy/dense cargo |
| Ocean FCL 40ft | $3,000–$4,750 | 16–24 days (East Coast) | high-volume loads |
| Ocean LCL | $90–$160 per CBM | 18–28 days | smaller shipments, 1–15 CBM |
| Air freight | $4–$8 per kg | 1–3 days | urgent, high-value, low-weight |
Add 2–5 business days for US customs clearance. West Coast routings (Los Angeles/Long Beach) add 10–16 days versus the East Coast.
How much does it cost to ship from Turkey to the USA?
Total landed cost has four layers: freight, origin charges, destination charges, and US duties/fees.
Ocean freight cost
Ocean is the cheapest mode for anything that is not urgent. A 20ft container from Ambarlı or Mersin to the US East Coast runs roughly $2,200–$3,750, a 40ft $3,000–$4,750, depending on season, carrier, and fuel. For partial loads, ocean LCL is priced per cubic meter (about $90–$160/CBM), with a minimum bill-of-lading charge on very small shipments. Compare modes on our ocean freight to Turkey page.
Air freight cost
Air runs about $4–$8 per kg (charged on the greater of actual or volumetric weight) from Istanbul to US gateways, justified when speed or product value is high. See air freight to Turkey.
Origin, destination, and US charges
Expect origin haulage and export handling in Turkey, destination terminal handling and drayage in the US, customs brokerage, the Merchandise Processing Fee (MPF), and the Harbor Maintenance Fee (HMF) on ocean cargo, plus duty (see tariffs below). We bill in USD to remove Turkish Lira FX exposure.
How long does shipping from Turkey to the USA take?
There are no all-water direct services to every US port; East Coast calls are most frequent.
| Origin → destination | Mode | Transit |
|---|---|---|
| Ambarlı (Istanbul) → New York/Newark | Ocean | 16–22 days |
| Mersin → Savannah / Charleston | Ocean | 18–26 days |
| İzmir/Aliağa → Houston | Ocean | 22–30 days |
| Ambarlı / Mersin → Los Angeles/Long Beach | Ocean | 30–40 days |
| Istanbul (IST) → JFK / MIA / ORD | Air | 1–3 days |
Customs clearance adds 2–5 business days, more if CBP flags the shipment for examination.
Shipping methods compared: FCL, LCL, air, and breakbulk
- FCL (full container): a sealed 20ft or 40ft container for your cargo only. Cheapest per unit once you fill most of the box; best for steel, stone, and high-volume textiles. See shipping a container to Turkey for container specs.
- LCL (less than container): you share container space and pay per CBM. Best below ~15 CBM; ideal for testing the US market or frequent small orders.
- Air freight: days instead of weeks, for urgent parts, samples, or high-value goods.
- Breakbulk / RoRo: for oversized machinery, project cargo, or vehicles that do not fit a standard container.
Main ports and airports on the Turkey-US lane
Turkish origin gateways
- Ambarlı (Istanbul): the largest container complex, serving the Marmara industrial belt.
- Mersin International Port (MIP): the main Mediterranean gateway, strong for steel, stone, and food.
- İzmir / Aliağa: the Aegean gateway for textiles and machinery.
- Gemlik: automotive and RoRo. Istanbul Airport (IST) and Sabiha Gökçen (SAW) for air.
US destination gateways
New York/Newark, Savannah, Charleston, Norfolk, Baltimore, and Houston on the ocean side; Los Angeles/Long Beach for West Coast; JFK, MIA, and ORD for air.
US customs clearance, step by step
All commercial imports clear through US Customs and Border Protection (CBP).
- ISF "10+2": the Importer Security Filing must be transmitted to CBP at least 24 hours before the cargo is loaded in Turkey. Late or inaccurate filing draws penalties up to $5,000 per violation.
- HTS classification: every item is classified under the US Harmonized Tariff Schedule, which sets the duty rate.
- Customs bond: a continuous or single-entry bond is required to clear commercial cargo.
- Entry filing: a licensed customs broker files the CBP entry; Interworld Freight coordinates this end to end as part of freight forwarding from Turkey to the USA.
Required documents
- Commercial invoice (accurate value and Incoterm)
- Packing list
- Bill of Lading (ocean) or Air Waybill (air)
- Certificate of origin
- ISF filing data
- Any agency-specific docs (FDA for food, etc.)
Duties, taxes, and tariffs on Turkish imports
- MFN duties: Turkey is not in a US free-trade agreement, so Most-Favored-Nation duty rates apply by HTS code.
- GSP: Turkey lost US Generalized System of Preferences duty-free eligibility in 2019; goods that once entered duty-free may now carry duty.
- Section 232: certain Turkish steel and aluminum products can carry additional tariffs; confirm exposure before shipping.
- Antidumping / countervailing: some Turkish products (e.g., certain steel, pipe) are subject to AD/CVD orders. A correct HTS classification is essential to avoid surprises.
Prohibited and restricted items
Firearms and ammunition, certain chemicals and hazardous materials, counterfeit goods, and unapproved food or pharmaceuticals require permits or are barred. We screen every shipment against CBP and partner-agency rules before loading.
Packing, labeling, and cargo insurance
Use export-grade, sea-worthy packaging; palletize where possible; label with consignee, destination, and HS code. Cargo insurance is strongly advised on this lane given the transit distance; we arrange all-risk coverage on request.
Incoterms for the Turkey-US lane
Most Turkey-US shipments move on FOB (buyer controls main freight) or EXW (buyer controls everything from the Turkish factory). For door-to-door certainty, DAP or DDP put the forwarder in control end to end. We advise the Incoterm that fits your risk and cost split.
Top commodities shipped from Turkey to the USA
Machinery and vehicles, iron and steel, stone (marble, travertine, granite), carpets and home textiles, apparel, food (hazelnuts, dried apricots, olive oil), and jewelry.
Step-by-step: how to ship from Turkey to the USA
- Quote: share commodity, volume, origin, US destination, and Incoterm.
- Book and collect: cargo is picked up and consolidated at origin under one bill of lading.
- File ISF and load: we submit the ISF 10+2 before loading and dispatch by ocean or air.
- Clear US customs: the broker files the CBP entry, posts the bond, and settles duty and fees.
- Deliver: final delivery anywhere in the USA.
How to choose a freight forwarder for the Turkey-US lane
Look for a forwarder with a dedicated Turkey-US desk, in-house ISF and HTS expertise, USD billing, and a single point of contact across ocean, air, and customs. Avoid stitching together a Turkish carrier and a US broker separately; a freight forwarder under one contract removes the gaps where cargo and accountability fall through.
Why Interworld Freight for shipping from Turkey to the USA
Interworld Freight, headquartered in Miami, runs the Turkey-US lane both ways with ocean, air, road, ISF filing, and US customs clearance under one contract, coordinated by our dedicated Turkey desk. Book the lane on our freight forwarding from Turkey to the USA page, or see the reverse direction, shipping from the USA to Turkey.
Frequently Asked Questions
How much does it cost to ship from Turkey to the USA?
Ocean FCL runs about $2,200–$4,750 per container, ocean LCL about $90–$160 per CBM, and air freight $4–$8 per kg. US duty (by HTS), MPF, HMF, and handling are added at clearance. Request an itemized USD quote.
How long does shipping from Turkey to the USA take?
Ocean to the US East Coast is about 16–26 days from Ambarlı or Mersin, the West Coast 30–40 days, plus 2–5 days for customs. Air freight from Istanbul is 1–3 days.
What is the cheapest way to ship from Turkey to the USA?
LCL ocean freight for shipments under about 15 CBM, FCL once you fill most of a container. Air is fastest but most expensive.
Do I need to file an ISF for imports from Turkey?
Yes. The ISF "10+2" must reach CBP at least 24 hours before the cargo loads in Turkey; late filing is penalized. We file it for you.
Are there extra tariffs on Turkish steel or aluminum?
Possibly. Turkey lost US GSP in 2019, so MFN duties apply, and Section 232 plus AD/CVD orders can hit certain steel and aluminum. Confirm your HTS code first.
Which US ports receive cargo from Turkey?
Mainly New York/Newark, Savannah, Charleston, Norfolk, and Houston by ocean, and JFK, MIA, and ORD by air. West Coast via Los Angeles/Long Beach is available with longer transit.
Can you handle door-to-door shipping from Turkey to the USA?
Yes. Under DAP or DDP we manage origin pickup, freight, US customs, and final delivery on one contract.
Do you ship from the USA to Turkey as well?
Yes. See our guide on shipping from the USA to Turkey and the USA to Turkey forwarding service.