From the perspective of medium- and large-scale factories and wholesalers, the core solution for shipping goods from China to Turkey is to select the optimal cost combination among ocean freight full container shipping (FCL), trans-Caspian railway transportation (China-Europe freight trains) and road freight based on the value of the goods and delivery cycle, and strictly pre-examine customs clearance documents to avoid Türkiye's high additional tariffs. For bulk industrial equipment, raw materials and large-volume consumer goods, sea transportation is still the most cost-effective option. With the improvement of the "middle corridor" railway construction, land transport is becoming an emerging tool to balance timeliness and cost.
In-depth analysis of the main transportation methods from China to Türkiye
For medium and large goods, when choosing a transportation method, you must go beyond the single price dimension and focus on the volume and weight of the goods as well as the geographical location of the destination in Turkey (such as Istanbul, Mersin or Izmir).
- Ocean Freight
Maritime transportation is the backbone of China-Turkish trade, accounting for more than 80% of the total freight volume.
Full Container Transport (FCL): For one-time purchases of goods exceeding 15 cubic meters or with heavy weight, FCL is the first choice. It not only has high safety, but also has the lowest unit transportation cost. Common cabinet types include 20GP, 40GP and 40HC.
LCL transportation: If the quantity of goods is less than one full container, LCL can be operated, but attention should be paid to the unpacking fees and the risk of customs clearance delays at Turkish ports. LCL Shipping Minimum: 1 CBM vs. 200 KG Explanation.
Main routes: Cargo usually departs from China’s eastern coastal ports and enters the Mediterranean via the Strait of Malacca and the Suez Canal. The main destination ports include: Istanbul (Ambarli), Mersin (Mersin), Izmir (Izmir) and Gebze (Gebze).
- Railway transportation and “Middle Corridor” (Rail Freight)
With the advancement of the “One Belt, One Road” initiative, the railway transportation (China-Europe Express) connecting China and Turkey has become increasingly mature.
The Middle Corridor: Goods enter Türkiye via Kazakhstan, the Caspian Sea, Azerbaijan, and Georgia. This route avoids the traditional northern route (via Russia), and the lead time is usually around 15-22 days.
Applicable scenarios: Suitable for bulk industrial accessories or electronic components with high added value and clear production launch time requirements.
- Cross-border road transportation (Road Freight)
Road transport has become a new favorite in recent years for urgently needed bulk goods. Through the TIR system, trucks can leave the country from the Xinjiang port in China, travel across Central Asia, and directly reach the entire territory of Türkiye. It is extremely flexible and can achieve "door-to-door" service, with a delivery time of about 15-18 days.
4.Air Freight
For urgently needed mechanical parts, precision instruments or high-value samples, air freight is the only fast way. Please note that the air freight discussed in this article is limited to bulk cargo transportation in the belly hold of cargo aircraft or passenger aircraft, not small parcel operations.
Transportation time estimate
Understanding timing is critical to a factory's production planning. Here are the different ways of averaging reference periods:
Sea transportation: It usually takes 25-35 days from major ports in China to ports in western Türkiye; if transshipment is required, it may extend to more than 40 days.
Railway: Departing from node cities such as Xi'an and Chengdu in China, it takes about 18-22 days to Istanbul.
By road: The whole journey takes about 15-20 days, and it fluctuates greatly due to weather and port volume.
Air transportation: It usually takes 3-7 days from airport to airport (including warehousing time).
Turkish customs policies and necessary documents for customs clearance
Turkish Customs is known for its strict and complex procedures. For bulk trade, any minor document error may result in high demurrage and storage fees.
- List of core documents
Commercial Invoice: The goods description, unit price, total price and HS code must be listed in detail.
Packing List: Accurately indicate the gross weight, net weight and volume of each item.
Bill of Lading/Waybill: Shipping telex release bill of lading or original bill of lading.
Certificate of Origin: Very important, used to define tariff rates.
ATR.1 or EUR.1 certification: Although it is mainly aimed at EU member states, under certain specific trade frameworks, understanding the flow attributes of goods is crucial for tax relief.
2.Special compliance requirements
CE certification: Türkiye has strict CE certification requirements for machinery, electrical appliances and personal protective equipment.
Additional Customs Duties: Turkey often imposes temporary tariffs on specific categories (such as steel, textiles, and some electronic products). Importers must verify the latest HS code tax rate before placing an order.
Strategies to Reduce China-Turkish Logistics Costs
Optimize packaging design: Shipping costs for bulk goods are often limited by volume. Optimizing the size of wooden boxes or pallets and maximizing the use of the internal space of 40HC containers can directly reduce the transportation cost of a single product.
Reasonable selection of trade terms (Incoterms): For importers with strong logistics control capabilities, it is recommended to use FOB terms and designate their own freight forwarders to control the entire freight and storage costs. If you are importing for the first time or want peace of mind, DDP (Delivery Duty Paid) is the best choice to avoid customs clearance risks. FOB vs. CIF: Risk, Cost, and Transportation Insights.
Avoid peak periods: During the peak shipping season before the Lunar New Year and September to October, freight rates fluctuate dramatically. Booking space 3-4 weeks in advance is a common practice to ensure space and stabilize prices.
A guide to avoiding pitfalls when handling bulk cargo
Avoid low-declaration: Turkish Customs is extremely strict with low-price declarations. Once locked, not only will you face fines, but the goods may also be detained indefinitely.
Confirm consignee qualifications: In Türkiye, importers must have a valid tax registration certificate and import license. Before shipping, be sure to confirm that the other party has customs clearance capabilities.
Insurance is essential: For long-distance transportation spanning thousands of miles, especially railways and roads involving transit in Central Asia, full freight insurance must be purchased.
Your professional logistics partner: Presou and Shenzhen Dayuanjun
Handling bulk cargo transportation from China to Turkey requires strong resource coordination capabilities and implementation capabilities. As an internationally renowned freight forwarding brand, Presou has been deeply involved in the field of China-Turkish trade logistics for more than 10 years and is committed to providing robust one-stop supply chain solutions for global wholesalers and factories.
Our specific business is implemented by our wholly-owned subsidiary Shenzhen Dayuanjun (Shenzhen Dayuanjun). We not only provide shipping space, but also provide full-link services from picking up goods, compliant loading, customs declaration to overseas customs clearance and delivery.
Why choose us to handle China-Turkish Logistics?
Full coverage of core ports: We have branches or core warehouses in major port cities in China such as Guangzhou, Ningbo, Shanghai, Qingdao, Tianjin, and Xiamen to ensure that goods can be warehoused nearby and reduce domestic inland transportation costs.
Focus on DDP/DDU services: With our in-depth agency network in Turkey, we are good at handling complex DDP (delivery with duty paid) and DDU (delivery with duty unpaid) door-to-door business, solving the pain points of difficult customs clearance and complex tariffs in Turkey for customers.
Bulk cargo expert: We clearly reject scattered business such as small parcels, express delivery or drop shipping. Presou's resources have always been focused on medium and large cargoes, including industrial raw materials, bulk consumer goods, complete sets of machinery and equipment, etc., ensuring the safety and priority loading of bulk trade during transportation.
Risk prevention and experience: 10 years of industry accumulation have made us familiar with Turkish Customs’ regulatory requirements for various products, and can pre-review documents in advance to minimize customs clearance risks.
In the complex global trade environment, reliable logistics is not only transportation, but also a key link to ensure capital turnover and supply chain stability. If you are looking for a partner that can undertake the shipment of medium and large cargo to Turkey, Presou and its subsidiary Shenzhen Dayuanjun will be your ideal business choice.
Thank you for watching. I hope we can solve your problems.
Presou is an international freight forwarding company from China, with subsidiaries offering one-stop logistics services—from pickup and customs clearance to home delivery. Over the past ten years, we have established branches in major port cities in China, including Guangzhou, Ningbo, Shanghai, Qingdao, Tianjin, and Xiamen.
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