EuropeShipping Heavy Equipment to Turkey
Turkey is a major regional economy bridging Europe and Asia. Strong construction, manufacturing, and energy sectors drive significant equipment demand with excellent port infrastructure.
Main Ports
- Port of Mersin
- Port of Istanbul (Ambarlı)
- Port of Izmir
Shipping Methods
- RoRo (Roll-on/Roll-off)
- Flat Rack Container
- Breakbulk
Key Regulations
- Turkish Customs Union
- CE Marking
- Import Licenses
Common Cargo
- Construction Machinery
- Manufacturing Equipment
- Energy Equipment
Main Ports in Turkey
Port of Mersin
Major Seaport
Port of Istanbul (Ambarlı)
Major Seaport
Port of Izmir
Major Seaport
Port of Iskenderun
Industrial Port
Shipping Routes & Transit Times to Turkey
| From (US Port) | To | Service | Est. Transit |
|---|---|---|---|
| Houston, TX | Port of Mersin / Iskenderun | Container / Breakbulk | 18–26 days |
| New York / NJ | Istanbul (Ambarlı) / Izmir | Container / RoRo | 18–24 days |
Transit times are indicative port-to-port estimates and vary by carrier, season, and sailing schedule.
U.S. Departure Ports for Shipping to Turkey
We ship to Turkey (Port of Mersin) from every major U.S. port. Typical ocean transit is 18-26 days.
Gulf Coast
East Coast
Import Duty, VAT & Taxes for Turkey
Turkey layers customs duty, a Special Consumption Tax (ÖTV) and 20% VAT on imported vehicles. ÖTV is the largest component — progressive by engine size and value, commonly 45%–220% — and VAT is then applied on top of CIF + duty + ÖTV, making passenger-car imports very expensive.
- Import Duty
- Customs duty by HS code (industrial goods often within the EU customs union)
- VAT / Sales Tax
- 20%
- Other Taxes & Fees
- ÖTV special consumption tax 45–220% (engine/value-based); KKDF 6% on deferred-payment imports
Source: Turkish Ministry of Trade / Revenue Administration (ÖTV Law 4760) · Last verified: June 2026
Used Vehicle & Equipment Age Limits
Used passenger-car imports are tightly restricted; project cargo, machinery, and commercial vehicles follow HS-based rules. Confirm the exact ÖTV band from current Official Gazette tables via a Turkish broker.
Source: Turkish Ministry of Trade · Last verified: June 2026
Import Regulations & Requirements
Turkish Customs Union
Turkey has a customs union with the EU for industrial goods.
CE Marking
CE marking recognized for products covered by customs union.
Import Licenses
Certain goods may require import licensing.
Required Documentation
Customs & Clearance Notes for Turkey
What makes Turkey tricky
- ÖTV (45–220%) plus VAT-on-everything makes passenger-car import costs among the highest anywhere.
- Mersin, Istanbul (Ambarlı), Izmir, and Iskenderun are the main gateways.
- ÖTV is the dominant cost on passenger vehicles — confirm the band before shipping.
Frequently Asked Questions
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