Ocean & Air Freight Shipping from the United States to Turkey

The United States and Turkey are allies and members of important international organizations. These include NATO and the G20. As such, trade ties between the two nations reflect their economic strategies and strategic collaboration.

In fact, Turkey is the US’ 34th largest goods trading partner. In 2022, the United States exported $15.2 billion worth of goods to Turkey, accounting for a 27.4% increase from the previous year.

Should you need to ship goods from the US to Turkey, you’ve come to the right place. Here’s your complete guide to the process, including your ocean and air freight shipping options, customs clearance, shipping costs, transit times, and more.

What Are the Options for Shipping Freight From the United States to Turkey?

You have two shipping options for transporting freight from the US to Turkey. These are ocean freight and air freight.

Ocean Freight From the United States to Turkey

Ocean freight is the most popular of the two, owing to its cost efficiency and flexibility. It’s ideal for budget shippers or those with unique shipping needs.

Ocean freight can accommodate any type of cargo you need to transport, even offering you two options for container shipping so you can optimize your shipment. These are less than the container load (LCL) and full container load (FCL).

LCL is used by shippers with small shipping needs. Here, their cargo will be consolidated with shipments belonging to other sellers and shipped together in one container. Each shipper only pays for the space their goods occupy, making it the more economical choice.

FCL, on the other hand, is best for those with large shipping needs. The shipper rents the space in an entire container for their goods alone, giving them more space, control, and security for their shipment. It can provide good value for money if the space inside the container is maximized.

Air Freight from the United States to Turkey

The other way to ship goods from the US to Turkey is air freight. This is the fastest mode of international transport, and it only takes a couple of days to complete. It’s ideal for time-sensitive or perishable cargo.

Shippers of high-value goods also appreciate air freight for its security. Because airports have stricter processes and regulations, the security of high-value goods can much better be guaranteed.

However, air freight does not come without cons. First, it can get expensive, with shipping costs reaching significantly higher than ocean freight. Second, it’s not as flexible, with strict rules and limitations on your cargo's nature, size, weight, and volume.

How Much Does it Cost to Ship Cargo From the United States to Turkey?

The cost to ship cargo from the US to Turkey depends on a variety of factors. These include:

• Your choice of ocean or air shipping
• Your preference for door-to-door, port-to-port, port-to-door, or door-to-port shipment
• Your consignment’s weight, volume, and size
• Weight and size limits

For an estimate of your shipping costs, use our online freight costs calculator. The table below lists the current cost of shipping a standard 20-foot container from the US to Turkey:

How long does it take to ship cargo from the United States to Turkey?

The transit time for goods shipped from the US to Turkey is mainly determined by your selected international shipping method. However, other influencing factors include:

• The season of shipment (peak or low season)
• Whether the shipment route is direct or not
• The trade lane's popularity
• Geopolitical instability
• Possible incidents at any port

How long does it take to ship cargo by sea from the United States to Turkey?

Ocean freight shipping from the US to Turkey takes around 15 to 50 days.

How long does it take to ship cargo by air from the United States to Turkey?

Air freight takes only 2 to 8 days, making it the faster shipping option.

For the most accurate estimate, we recommend using our transit time calculator.

Customs Clearance in the United States and Turkey

Once your goods land in a Turkish port or airport, they will be subject to the customs clearance process. This requires that you have the following documents ready:

• A commercial invoice
• A packing list
• A certificate of origin
• A letter of credit or other payment terms (depending on the contract between the parties involved)
• A bill of lading for ocean freight or an Airway Bill for air freight

We have a full documents list you can look at for examples of these customs clearance requirements.

Should You Choose Ocean Freight or Air Freight?

When choosing between ocean and air freight, you need to consider your needs, priorities, and cargo requirements. Here are some pointers to help you make the right decision.

Ocean Freight

Ocean freight is best for those who are on a budget or have unique shipping needs. It’s highly budget-friendly and flexible, able to ship any type of cargo you need to get from the US to Turkey.

Ocean freight gives shippers two options for container shipping. Check out which one is best for your cargo below.

Considerations for LCL Freight Shipping

LCL is suitable for your shipment if your cargo is:

• Small in size and quantity
• Lightweight
• Suitable for consolidation with cargo belonging to other shippers
• Not delicate, fragile, or high-value
• Not requiring special handling or movement

Considerations for FCL Freight Shipping

You might find FCL more suitable if your cargo is:

• Large in size and quantity
• Heavy or overweight
• Not suitable for consolidation with cargo belonging to other shippers
• Delicate, fragile, or high-value
• Requiring special handling or movement

Air Freight

If time is of the essence, then you should ship by air. Air freight only takes 2-8 days to complete, making it highly suitable for shipments arriving in Turkey quickly. Time-sensitive and perishable goods are some examples.

This is also a suitable shipping option for those transporting high-value goods. With stricter airport regulations in place, you can guarantee the security of your cargo during the process.

Before you ship by air, however, consider its cost. Air freight can be significantly more expensive than ocean freight. It’s also not as flexible, unable to ship all types of cargo, and putting limits on the weight, size, and volume of your shipment.

Ocean Cargo Port Guide

Cargo ports of origin in the United States

Port of Miami

The Port of Miami is a highly versatile port. It can handle a wide range of cargo types and is also the world’s largest cruise port. It has been subject to transformative infrastructure projects, including the Deep Dredge Project, which has enhanced its capabilities and connectivity. Every year, the port handles over 1.2 million TEUs.

Port of Oakland

The Port of Oakland is located in California, US. It is able to welcome large vessels and is popular for its environmental sustainability. The port has a truck management program to promote the reduction of emissions. It handles over 2.34 million TEUs per year.

Port of Charleston

The Port of Charleston is popular because of its efficient operations and commitment to sustainability. It helps support economic growth and infrastructure development in South Carolina, having an economic impact of over $17 billion. The port handles over 2.79 million TEUs per year.

Cargo ports of arrival in Turkey

Port of Izmir

The Port of Izmir ranks third among Turkish ports in terms of size and longevity. It began its operations in the year 1959 and spans 902,000 square meters in land area. It handles more than 60% of container volume, making it a major container gateway in Turkey.

Port of Eregli

The Port of Eregli is a major bulk-handling port. It boasts two major bulk terminals and 4 general cargo docks running for 24 hours. The port’s ore terminals have the highest length of 400 meters. It has an operational capacity of 20 million metric tonnes of bulk cargo.

Port of Ambarli

The Port of Ambarli is able to handle a wide range of bulk, liquid, and containerized cargo. It spans over 10,000 square meters in land area, housing operational and warehouse segments. The port serves as a host to 1,900 to 2,400 vessels of all sizes every year.

Air Freight from the United States to Turkey: An airport guide

Airports of origin in the United States

Cincinnati/Northern Kentucky International Airport

The Cincinnati/Northern Kentucky International Airport is an important cargo airport in the Midwest, ranking 6th in the entire United States. It has seen a 104% increase in landed cargo weight in the last couple of years, a growth rate higher than every other cargo airport in the top 16.

Ted Stevens Anchorage International Airport

The Ted Stevens Anchorage International Airport is the second-largest cargo airport in the US by landed weight. It’s an essential stop for planes because of its strategic location—only 9.5 hours from 90% of the industrialized world.

Tampa International Airport

The Tampa International Airport is the second-largest cargo airport in the US state of Florida. Nationally, it ranks 26th. The airport handled 231% more cargo in recent years. It’s the subject of a capital program that invested $69 million in its cargo facilities.

Airports of arrival in Turkey

Istanbul Airport

The Istanbul Airport is the largest international airport in Turkey and the second busiest in Europe. It serves the city of Istanbul, located in the district of Arnavutköy. The airport handles over 2.5 million metric tonnes of cargo per year.

Milas Bodrum Airport

The Milas Bodrum Airport serves the Turkish towns of Bodrum and Milas. It is located 26 kilometers northeast of Bodrum and 16 kilometers south of Milas. The airport services the Corendon Airlines.

Why Ship From the United States to Turkey With iContainers?

Shipping cargo involves many factors, such as the season, the size of the shipment, the shipping method, and the origin and destination.

With extensive industry experience, iContainers offers traditional freight forwarding services enhanced with modern technology for customer convenience. Our digital platform lets you manage your entire shipment—from requesting a quote to booking and tracking your cargo—all from your mobile device.

Contact us anytime for a free quote. We are always ready to provide you with the information you need.