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How to Import Cargo to Turkey ?
Comprehensive guide on importing cargo from Germany, China, and the US to Turkey. Learn about ETGB limits under 30 kg, customs clearance, air freight rate calculations, and door-to-door pick-up services.
Import Cargo to Turkey & Inbound Freight Forwarding Guide
Importing commercial goods, product samples, spare parts, or raw materials from international suppliers into Turkey often comes with operational bottlenecks: complex customs regulations, unexpected airport terminal fees, storage surcharges, and volatile air freight rates. For shipments weighing between 30 kg and 300 kg, choosing the right inbound logistics model can reduce overall supply chain costs by up to 40%.
This comprehensive guide by Turkbox Inbound Desk covers overseas doorstep pick-up processes, Simplified Customs Entry (ETGB) rules, and airport clearance procedures for smooth inbound shipping to Turkey.
How to Import Cargo to Turkey from Overseas? (International Door Pick-Up Process)
Arranging freight directly from a supplier's facility without forcing them to deal with local export bookings is called Inbound Door Pick-Up.
1. Doorstep Collection: Our global courier network is dispatched directly to your manufacturer’s address in Germany, Italy, China, or the US.
2. Document & Invoice Pre-Check: The Commercial Invoice and Packing List are audited prior to flight departure to ensure full compliance with Turkish customs regulations.
3. Express Air Transit: Collected cargo is loaded onto direct cargo flights or belly capacity on commercial airlines bound for Istanbul Airport (IST) or Sabiha Gökçen Airport (SAW).
What is the ETGB Limit for Import Cargo Under 30 Kg in Turkey?
One of the most frequently searched topics in B2B logistics is Simplified Customs Entry (ETGB) in Turkey. Under Turkish customs law, commercial samples and shipments weighing under 30 kg and valued below €1,500 benefit from streamlined customs procedures.
H3: Advantages of ETGB Import Clearance
No Private Customs Broker Required: The entire clearance process is handled digitally by the authorized express cargo operator.
Zero Terminal & Warehouse Storage Fees: Because cargo clears airport customs on the day of arrival, importers avoid terminal handling charges, storage fees, and formal clearance expenses.
Ideal for Samples and Emergency Parts: The fastest solution for bringing in textile swatches, electronic components, or replacement machinery parts prior to mass production.
H2: Customs Clearance for Air Cargo Between 30 kg and 300 kg
When an inbound shipment exceeds 30 kg or €1,500 in value, it enters the Formal Commercial Import Regime. At this stage, rapid document execution is essential to avoid airport storage penalties.
H3: How to Clear Inbound Cargo at Airport Bonded Warehouses?
Delivery Order (Ordino) & Summary Declaration: As soon as the cargo lands in Istanbul, the summary declaration is issued and forwarded digitally to the importer's customs broker.
Customs Declaration Filing: The client’s customs broker (or Turkbox’s customs partner network) logs into the system to process duty payments.
Warehouse Pick-Up & Final Delivery: Once released by customs, the cargo is collected from airport freight terminals (THY, Celebi, Havaş) via our dedicated transfer fleet and delivered directly to your warehouse.
How Are Import Air Freight Rates Calculated? (Volumetric Weight Formula)
In air freight, chargeable weight is calculated by comparing the gross weight (kg) against the volumetric weight (dimensional weight), billing whichever value is higher.
Important Note: Standard international courier retail prices are extremely high for shipments over 100 kg. Turkbox Inbound Desk applies specialized volume discounts to keep your air freight costs at a minimum.
Why Does Import Cargo Get Stuck at Customs? (Prevention & Solutions)
Common reasons for customs delays in Turkey include incomplete commercial invoices, incorrect HS Codes (GTİP), or missing regulatory documentation (such as TSE, CE, or Tareks compliance).
Turkbox performs a pre-clearance audit (Pre-Clearance Check) before the cargo leaves the origin airport, mitigating the risk of shipments getting held at Turkish customs.
Air Cargo Transit Times to Turkey (Germany, China & USA)
Import Freight from Germany & Europe: Average 1 - 3 business days including door pick-up.
Import Freight from China & Asia: Average 3 - 5 business days including door pick-up and flight transit.
Import Freight from the USA: Average 2 - 4 business days including door pick-up.
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