Shipping from Dubai to TurkeyShipping from Dubai to Turkey, by air and sea.
Airlift Logistics, a freight forwarder in Dubai Airport Free Zone, arranges shipping from Dubai to Turkey (Türkiye) for businesses. We fly air cargo from DXB to Istanbul, Ankara and Izmir, and ship FCL and LCL sea freight from Jebel Ali to Mersin, Ambarli in Istanbul and Izmir. We prepare export papers and check the UAE-Turkey CEPA origin rules and Turkish import requirements before the cargo leaves Dubai.
Business cargo only. Airlift Logistics ships commercial goods for importers, exporters, traders and manufacturers, with a commercial invoice and a registered consignee. We do not handle personal boxes, household effects or door-to-door parcels.
Dubai to Turkey at a glance
Turkey trades heavily with the UAE in both directions. Air suits urgent goods into Istanbul; sea suits volume into Mersin and the Marmara ports.
- Flight time
- About 4.5 h DXB to Istanbul
- Sea
- Jebel Ali to Mersin, Suez dependent
- Customs
- Ministry of Trade, Customs
- Trade deal
- CEPA in force since 1 September 2023
Airports and seaports in Turkey we ship to
Mersin suits southern and eastern Turkey; Ambarli suits the Istanbul region, the country's main market.
| Gateway | Type | Code | Good to know |
|---|---|---|---|
| Airport | IST | Home hub of Turkish Cargo | |
| Sabiha Gökçen | Airport | SAW | Istanbul's Asian-side airport |
| Ankara and Izmir | Airports | ESB · ADB | For central and western Turkey |
| Seaport | TRMER | Main Mediterranean container port | |
| Seaport | TRAMB | Istanbul's main container port complex | |
| Seaport | TRIZM | Aegean port for western Turkey |
Air, sea to Turkey
| Mode | Route | Typical timing | Best for |
|---|---|---|---|
| DXB to IST, SAW, ESB or ADB | Next day, plus clearance | Parts, samples, urgent goods | |
| Sea freight FCL | Jebel Ali to Mersin, Ambarli or Izmir | About 2 to 4 weeks, routing dependent | Volume stock, plastics, metals |
| Sea freight LCL | Jebel Ali consolidation to Turkish ports | Longer than FCL | Smaller loads |
Airlines flying direct from Dubai to Turkey
- Emirates SkyCargo
- flydubai
- Turkish Cargo
- Pegasus Airlines
Sailings to Turkey pass through the Suez Canal; routing changes affect timing. Work out the billed weight with our chargeable weight calculator or the CBM calculator.
Customs in Turkey: what the importer needs
The Turkish importer, through a licensed customs broker, files the declaration with Turkish Customs.
| Item | In Turkey |
|---|---|
| Customs authority | Ministry of Trade, Directorate General of Customs |
| Declaration | Electronic declaration in the BILGE customs system |
| Importer registration | Turkish tax number, with a licensed customs broker |
| Duty and tax | Duty by tariff code, possible additional duties, plus VAT (KDV) at 20% standard |
| Trade agreement | UAE-Turkey CEPA, in force since 1 September 2023, for qualifying UAE-origin goods |
Turkey applies additional customs duties to some goods from non-EU countries; the broker confirms them.
Approvals to check before booking
Turkish product safety checks happen at import, so certificates must be ready before the goods arrive.
- 01
Many products are checked for safety through TAREKS before release.
- 02
CE marking
Turkey follows EU-style CE marking for many products.
- 03
Food and agriculture
Food and plant products need Ministry of Agriculture controls.
- 04
Used goods
Second-hand goods often need import permits.
- 05
Claim the CEPA rate with proof of UAE origin.
- 06
Direct transport
Preference usually needs goods shipped directly or under customs control.
Documents for shipping to Turkey
Send these with your booking. Origin documents must match the CEPA rules exactly to claim the lower rate.
| Document | Why it is needed |
|---|---|
| Commercial invoice | Customs value, parties and HS codes |
| Packing list | Pieces, weights and marks for inspection |
| Transport contract and cargo release | |
| Exit clearance from the UAE, filed by us | |
| Claims the CEPA preference | |
| Support TAREKS checks |
Restricted or banned in Turkey
- Used goods without a permit
- Counterfeit goods
- Weapons without a licence
- Certain chemicals
- Food without approval
Check the HS code against Turkish import rules before you sell.
What UAE businesses ship to Turkey
The UAE-Turkey CEPA, in force since September 2023, aims to grow trade between the two countries.
- 01
Plastics and polymers
UAE petrochemicals for Turkish manufacturers.
- 02
Aluminium and metals
Aluminium and metal products by sea.
- 03
Gold and jewellery
Precious goods by air with insurance.
Dubai to Turkey shipping questions, answered
Last updated ·
See all shipping questionsGet a quote for this laneYes, for goods that qualify as UAE origin. The agreement has been in force since 1 September 2023 and reduces tariffs on many products. The importer must present valid proof of origin, and goods usually need to travel directly. Goods made elsewhere and re-exported through Dubai do not qualify.
- VAT still applies at import.
- Check the tariff schedule for your product.
Ambarli usually suits buyers in Istanbul. The Ambarli terminals sit on the Sea of Marmara in western Istanbul, close to the country's biggest market. Mersin, on the Mediterranean, suits southern and eastern Turkey. We compare sailings and inland trucking to find the best total time.
- Air to Istanbul is next day.
- Izmir suits the Aegean region.
TAREKS is Turkey's product safety check system for imports. Run by the Ministry of Trade, it uses risk analysis to decide which imported products are inspected for safety and conformity. Goods without the right documents can be held or refused. Ask the importer which documents their product needs.
- Many products need CE-style conformity.
- Prepare certificates before shipping.
The standard Turkish VAT rate is 20%. VAT, called KDV in Turkey, is charged on the customs value plus duty at import. Some goods have lower rates. Turkey may also apply additional customs duties to certain goods from outside the EU, which the broker includes in the total.
- Duty depends on the tariff code.
- CEPA can reduce the duty part.