Turkey Import & Export
Cargo From Turkey UK–Turkey Import & Export — Seamless Sea, Air & Road Freight
Moving cargo from Turkey to the UK and vice versa can be a straightforward process with the right logistics partner. International trade between Turkey and the United Kingdom is significant, with both countries serving as key players in the shipping process and broader global commerce. At Freight Connect Services, we specialise in managing the entire shipping process between these two countries, offering comprehensive sea freight, air freight, and road freight solutions tailored to your business needs. Whether you’re importing goods from Turkey or exporting products to Turkey, our experienced freight forwarder team ensures your shipments navigate customs clearance smoothly, transit times are optimised, and delivery is completed reliably, all while maintaining competitive rates.
Import from Turkey to the UK
Handling imports from Turkey to the UK involves several critical steps, from selecting the most efficient transport mode to complying with customs regulations. Trade regulations and procedures can vary between countries, especially between Turkey and the UK, making it important to understand the specific requirements for each. Turkey is a significant supplier of textiles, machinery, furniture, and food products to the UK market. We help you choose between sea freight, air freight, or road freight based on your shipment size, urgency, and budget.
Our team manages the entire customs clearance process, including handling your EORI registration, commodity codes, and any necessary licences. We also advise you on how to benefit from the UK–Turkey trade agreement by claiming preferential customs duty, provided your cargo meets the rules of origin and you have the appropriate documentation, such as an EUR.1 certificate or origin declaration. Importers will need to pay any applicable customs duties and VAT at the point of entry, depending on the type of goods and their value. This can significantly reduce your import costs.
Upon arrival at UK ports or airports, such as London Gateway, Felixstowe, or Heathrow, we coordinate customs officials to physically inspect shipments if required, ensuring compliance without delays. Our experienced team helps you navigate the UK customs process, making customs clearance straightforward and efficient. We then arrange for delivery to your warehouse, distribution centre, or directly to your customers, including door-to-door delivery options. For smaller shipments, we offer consolidated LCL sea freight or groupage road freight to keep your cost-effective solution intact.
Export from the UK to Turkey
When managing exports from the UK to Turkey, Freight Connect Services supports you through every stage of the shipping process. We prepare your export documentation, including accurate invoices and packing lists, and advise on the appropriate Incoterms to define responsibilities clearly. Our logistics network includes reliable partners in Turkey who handle local customs clearance and final delivery.
We can handle the export of both large cargo and smaller packages, ensuring all necessary documentation is prepared for each shipment.
Whether your cargo requires air freight services via Istanbul Airport or sea freight through one of Turkey’s largest container terminals, such as those in Istanbul or Mersin, we ensure your shipments reach their destination on time. We also provide guidance on Turkish customs duty and VAT to prevent unexpected costs for your customers.
Customs, Duties & Compliance (EORI, Rules of Origin, VAT)
EORI & UK Entry Requirements
To import cargo from Turkey into the UK, businesses must have a valid Economic Operators Registration and Identification (EORI) number beginning with GB. If your shipments transit through Northern Ireland, an XI-prefixed EORI is necessary. Our team can assist in verifying your EORI status or help you apply for one, preventing customs hold-ups and delays.
Rules of Origin & Preferential Duty
The UK–Turkey trade agreement allows importers to claim reduced or zero customs duty if their goods meet specific rules of origin criteria. We carefully assess your product’s bill of materials and HS classifications to determine eligibility. Supplying the correct proof of origin, such as an EUR.1 certificate or origin declaration, is essential to benefit from these preferential rates.
Import VAT & Duty
Import VAT and customs duty are key considerations when shipping from Turkey to the UK. We help you understand the UK Global Tariff rates applicable when preferential duty does not apply and advise on VAT accounting options, including deferment schemes, to improve your cash flow. Our expertise ensures your shipments clear customs efficiently without unexpected charges.
Transport Options Sea, Air & Road
Sea Freight (FCL & LCL)
If you need to transport large or heavy shipments, or want a cost-effective solution for bulk goods, choose sea freight as your preferred shipping method.
Sea freight remains the best solution for transporting large volumes of cargo from Turkey to the UK at competitive prices. Whether you require a full container load (FCL), where you rent an entire container and fill it with your goods, or less than container load (LCL), where you share containers with other shipments and only fill part of the space, we provide weekly sailings from major Turkish ports like Istanbul, Izmir, and Gemlik to UK ports such as Felixstowe, Southampton, and London Gateway, which are among the five largest container terminals in the country. Our container shipping services include customs brokerage and warehousing to streamline the process to ship your goods from Turkey to the UK.
Air Freight (Fastest Transit)
For urgent shipments, air freight from Turkey offers the fastest transit times. Istanbul Airport, recognised as Europe’s busiest air-cargo hub in 2024, provides excellent connectivity to London and other UK airports. Ankara Esenboğa Airport is another important Turkish air cargo hub, serving the Ankara region and facilitating efficient air freight transportation distinct from Istanbul Airport.
We coordinate airport-to-airport or door-to-door air freight services with Turkish Airlines and other carriers, including handling security screening, customs clearance, and rapid delivery. UK air freight services are especially advantageous for transporting small, valuable, or time-sensitive shipments, allowing you to transport goods quickly and securely. This option is ideal for high-value or time-sensitive cargo.
Road Freight (Direct Europe Corridor)
Road freight offers a flexible and reliable option for cargo moving between Turkey and the UK, especially for palletised shipments. Rail can also be used as part of an intermodal solution for transporting goods between Turkey and the UK, offering an eco-friendly and cost-effective alternative for large shipments within the supply chain. Utilising the Turkey–EU land bridge and Channel crossings, road transport combines competitive prices with reasonable transit times. You can choose groupage services for smaller shipments or dedicated vehicles for full loads, ensuring your goods arrive safely and on schedule.
Courier, PTT & UPS Options
For parcels, parcels and smaller packages, especially in eCommerce, we integrate courier services such as UPS and Turkey Post (PTT). Our team advises on the best shipping services to balance cost and speed, ensuring your parcels are correctly labelled and documented to avoid customs delays. These courier services are suitable for international shipping of parcels and packages from Turkey to the UK. We also provide international UPS tracking and PTT tracking, giving you full visibility of your shipments from Turkey to the UK.
Warehousing & Fulfilment
To support your business further, we offer warehousing and fulfilment services in the UK. Our facilities handle bonded and non-bonded storage, pick and pack, relabelling, and final-mile delivery. This is particularly beneficial for Turkish cargo destined for retail or online marketplaces, allowing you to store inventory close to your customers and deliver efficiently.
Industries We Serve
Our logistics solutions cater to a diverse range of industries, including fashion and textiles, homewares and furniture, automotive components, construction materials, machinery and electronics, and selected food products. We tailor packaging, transport mode, and customs compliance to each sector’s specific requirements, ensuring quality and timely delivery.
How It Works
Why Freight Connect Services
Choosing Freight Connect Services means partnering with an experienced freight forwarder who offers
Reliable and specialised shipping service, including weekly direct consolidation and groupage services from Turkey to the UK.
End-to-end management of cargo from Turkey to the UK, across sea, air, road, and courier services.
Expertise in customs clearance, EORI registration, and navigating the UK–Turkey trade agreement.
Strong relationships with trusted agents at major Turkish ports and airports.
Flexible shipping options including full container loads, partial loads, and express services.
Transparent pricing with no hidden fees.
FAQs
Do I Need a GB EORI to Import from Turkey to the UK?
P) Yes—importers need a GB EORI (XI for Northern Ireland movements). We can help you check or apply.
Can I reduce duty with the UK–Turkey trade agreement?
Often, yes—if your goods meet rules of origin and you hold the correct proof (origin declaration or EUR.1). We’ll advise case by case.
How fast is Turkey→UK shipping?
Typical guide: air 1–4 days airport-to-airport; road 5–9 days door-to-door; sea 10–24 days port-to-port depending on service. (Ask for current schedules.)
Call to Action
Ready to move cargo between Turkey and the UK? Email info@freightcservices.com or request a fast quote today.