Full and part truckloads, Ro-Ro via Trieste, containers and air freight from Turkey to Germany, with routing, transit times and customs covered.
Tell us your company, route and cargo — our team replies with a clear price.
Most Turkey–Germany freight goes by truck, routing and a correct A.TR and T1 make the difference.
Most freight from Turkey to Germany moves by road (full or part truckload), and door-to-door delivery from Istanbul typically takes 4–7 days, depending on border queues and season. Industrial goods enter duty-free under the EU–Turkey customs union with an A.TR certificate, but German import VAT (Einfuhrumsatzsteuer) of 19% (7% for listed goods) is due on arrival. Edora Global handles road, Ro-Ro, sea and air freight to Germany, plus customs.
The standard road route leaves Turkey at Kapıkule (or Hamzabeyli) into Bulgaria, then runs either through Romania–Hungary–Austria or through Serbia–Hungary–Austria, entering southern Germany near Passau or Salzburg.
The main alternative is Ro-Ro: the trailer sails from Pendik or Mersin to Trieste, then continues by road or by intermodal train to German terminals such as Munich and Cologne. It avoids Balkan border queues and the tight supply of road permits for Turkish trucks. Our guide to Ro-Ro shipping from Turkey to Europe explains how it works.
Bulky, non-urgent cargo can go by container sea freight to Hamburg or Bremerhaven; air freight suits samples and urgent parts.
Typical ranges below; border queues, weekend truck bans, weather and permits can add time. For a wider comparison see Turkey–Europe transit times.
| Mode | Typical door-to-door time | Best for |
|---|---|---|
| Full truckload (FTL) | Southern Germany usually 4–6 days; Hamburg/Ruhr 5–7 days | Full loads, speed and predictability |
| Part load / groupage (LTL) | Usually 6–10 days incl. consolidation | A few pallets, regular small orders |
| Ro-Ro via Trieste + road/rail | Usually 6–9 days, depending on sailing schedule | Avoiding Balkan border risk |
| Sea container (FCL/LCL) | 2–4 weeks, depending on transshipment | Bulky, non-urgent cargo |
| Air freight | Usually 1–3 days | Urgent, small, high-value shipments |
Some products also need CE, phytosanitary or veterinary documents. See customs clearance in Germany for the import side.
For industrial goods in free circulation, customs duty is generally zero with a valid A.TR. What remains is German Einfuhrumsatzsteuer: 19% standard rate, 7% for goods listed as reduced-rate items such as many foods and books. It is calculated on the customs value (including freight and insurance to the EU border) plus any duty. A VAT-registered German importer can normally reclaim it as input tax. If the Turkish seller should carry all costs, look at DDP terms.
A standard 13.6 m curtainsider takes 33 Euro pallets (120×80 cm), with a payload that depends on the vehicle but is usually around 24 tonnes. Above roughly half a trailer, a full truckload is often faster and cheaper per unit; for a few pallets, groupage fits, with a few extra days.
What drives the price: pickup and delivery locations, pallet count, volume and weight, road vs Ro-Ro, the Incoterms rule, ADR or temperature control, season and urgency.
A full truckload from Istanbul usually reaches Germany in 4–7 days, faster to the south than to Hamburg or the Ruhr. Groupage takes a few days longer, and border queues and season also matter.
Commercial invoice, packing list, CMR and an A.TR for industrial goods (EUR.1 for some agricultural goods). Goods usually travel under a T1 transit declaration and are declared in Germany via ATLAS using the importer’s EORI number.
Yes. A few pallets or cubic metres can travel as groupage (LTL), sharing the truck with other cargo. It is cheaper for small shipments but a few days slower.
The rate depends on pickup and delivery addresses, pallet count, volume and weight, road or Ro-Ro routing, Incoterms, special equipment such as ADR or reefer, and season. Quotes are therefore made per shipment.
Industrial goods shipped with an A.TR are generally duty-free. German import VAT of 19% (7% for some goods) is still due, and a VAT-registered importer can normally reclaim it as input tax.
Pickup and delivery postcodes, product and HS code, pallet count, dimensions, gross weight, stackability, ready date and Incoterms, plus any ADR or temperature needs.
Planning a Turkey–Germany shipment? Send your cargo details via our quote form, and our international road freight team will come back with the options that fit.
Edora Global Trade is an Istanbul-based freight forwarder and customs broker that ships goods between Turkey and Germany by road, sea and air, with customs handled on both sides.
It works with companies only and replies to quote requests within 24 working hours.
We manage shipments to Germany end to end with the services below. Each one includes customs clearance and document follow-up, for companies only.
Full and part-load road freight between Türkiye and Germany.
Ro-Ro-linked shipments and container (FCL/LCL) freight.
Air freight for time-critical and high-value cargo.
Export and import clearance, T1 transit and DDP door-to-door delivery.
Preparation of shipping documents, including A.TR and EUR.1 and the CMR.
Share your pickup point and cargo details and we will come back shortly with a clear quote.