Import from Turkey to the UK
What products are commonly imported from Turkey to the UK?
At the end of 2024, the total trade in goods and services between the UK and Turkey came to £26 billion. Imports from Turkey amounted to £16.6 billion, an increase of 5.7%! As the UK’s 17th largest trading partner, consumers are most interested in importing the following:
- Road vehicles other than cars (capital): £2.4 billion
- Electrical machinery (consumer): £839.8 million
- Clothing: £807.0 million
- Miscellaneous electrical goods (intermediate): £664.9 million
- Miscellaneous electrical goods (consumer): £633.5 million
However, to import from Turkey to the UK, you must have selected a preferred method of transportation and prepared the necessary customs documentation.
How to prepare for customs declarations
Organising your shipment for customs clearance requires preparation. You can make the customs declarations yourself or hire a freight forwarder or customs agent.
1. EORI number: Importing goods from Turkey to the UK requires you to register for an EORI number. This unique identifier will track your shipment as it moves through the customs declaration process.
2. Commodity codes: Importers must identify their ten-digit commodity code. This code will help you determine any payable customs duties and whether an import licence is required.
3. Labelling and marking rules: Double-check that your goods follow UK labelling and marking rules. For example, to import clothes from Turkey to the UK, the goods must have labels indicating fibre content, care instructions, and country of origin.
4. Inspection (if applicable): Certain goods, like food items, plants, and animal products, may be subject to inspections upon their arrival. Importing these goods requires specific certifications and import licences.
5. Pay duty and VAT: Imported goods are subject to customs duties and Value Added Tax (VAT). The amount payable depends on the commodity code and the value of the goods.
2. Commodity codes: Importers must identify their ten-digit commodity code. This code will help you determine any payable customs duties and whether an import licence is required.
3. Labelling and marking rules: Double-check that your goods follow UK labelling and marking rules. For example, to import clothes from Turkey to the UK, the goods must have labels indicating fibre content, care instructions, and country of origin.
4. Inspection (if applicable): Certain goods, like food items, plants, and animal products, may be subject to inspections upon their arrival. Importing these goods requires specific certifications and import licences.
5. Pay duty and VAT: Imported goods are subject to customs duties and Value Added Tax (VAT). The amount payable depends on the commodity code and the value of the goods.
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How do I ship goods from Turkey to the UK?
To receive your import from Turkey to the UK, shippers have two main options: air and sea freight. Which you choose will depend on the time sensitivity and value of your goods, as well as any budgetary constraints.
Sea freight
Most cost-effective for importing large volumes of goods from Turkey, sea freight is categorised into:
The main cargo ports in Turkey include Ambarlı, Haydarpaşa, Mersin, and İzmir. Importers can expect their shipments to arrive in 8–9 days for port-to-port shipments and 14–16 days for door-to-door deliveries.
- Full Container Load: An entire container is used specifically for your goods.
- Less Than Container Load: You share space on a container with other shipments.
The main cargo ports in Turkey include Ambarlı, Haydarpaşa, Mersin, and İzmir. Importers can expect their shipments to arrive in 8–9 days for port-to-port shipments and 14–16 days for door-to-door deliveries.
Air freight
Air freight is the fastest method for shipping goods and is most suitable for smaller, high-value, or time-sensitive shipments.
Turkey has major cargo airports, including Istanbul Airport (IST) and Ankara Esenboğa Airport (ESB). Transit times for air freight between Turkey and the UK are typically between one and three days.
Turkey has major cargo airports, including Istanbul Airport (IST) and Ankara Esenboğa Airport (ESB). Transit times for air freight between Turkey and the UK are typically between one and three days.
Does the UK have a free trade agreement with Turkey?
Yes, the UK and Turkey have a bilateral trade agreement that came into effect in 2021.
Before the UK left the European Union (EU), trade between the UK and Turkey was governed by the EU–Turkey Customs Union. On December 29, 2020, the UK and Turkey signed a continuity trade agreement.
The agreement includes provisions on intellectual property, trade remedies, dispute settlement, and tariff-free trade for most goods.
Before the UK left the European Union (EU), trade between the UK and Turkey was governed by the EU–Turkey Customs Union. On December 29, 2020, the UK and Turkey signed a continuity trade agreement.
The agreement includes provisions on intellectual property, trade remedies, dispute settlement, and tariff-free trade for most goods.
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