Moving to Turkey
Complete relocation guide
Moving Checklist
Before & after arrival
Relocation Timeline
Week-by-week what to expect
Cost of Living
Budgets across major cities
Healthcare in Turkey
Insurance, SGK, hospitals
From the UK
From Germany
From the Netherlands
From Belgium
From France
From Sweden
From Norway
From Switzerland
From Austria
From the USA
From Canada
From Australia
From the UAE
Moving Your Belongings
Shipping Cost
Calculator for Turkey
Get a realistic cost range, customs complexity rating, timeline, and documents checklist for shipping your belongings to Turkey — in under 2 minutes.
Realistic ranges, not fake precision
International shipping costs vary significantly based on your specific situation. This calculator gives honest cost ranges based on real-world data — not guaranteed quotes. Always get at least 3 quotes from licensed removal companies.
Where are you moving from?
Understanding costs
What affects the cost of shipping to Turkey?
International removal costs are driven by several variables. Understanding them helps you make smarter decisions.
Volume & container type
The single biggest cost driver. Small moves use LCL (less than container load) — you share space with others. Full container (FCL) shipments are more cost-effective for large households and provide better protection.
Origin distance & port
Moves from Northern Europe (UK, Germany, Netherlands) cost substantially less than from North America or Australia due to shorter sea routes and regular freight lanes to Turkish ports.
Customs & documentation
Turkey has specific requirements for household goods imports. Incorrect or incomplete documentation is the most common cause of delays and unexpected costs. A customs broker (gümrük müşaviri) is strongly recommended.
Vehicles
Importing a car permanently to Turkey is extremely expensive due to high import duties. Most expats either sell their car before moving and buy locally, or use the 1-year temporary import exemption and decide later.
Speed of delivery
Budget sea freight via a shared container is the cheapest option but can take 3–10 weeks. Express air freight cuts transit to days but can cost 3–5× more. Most household moves use standard sea freight.
Insurance
Standard carrier liability is very limited. Comprehensive all-risk insurance for a full-household shipment typically adds 1–3% to the declared value — essential if you're moving high-value items.
Comparison
Shipping Methods: Sea vs Air vs Road
| Method | Best for | Typical cost (EU origin) | Timeline | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| LCL Sea Freight | Small moves, 1–30 boxes | €600–€2,500 | 3–7 weeks | Shared container. Cheapest option for small volumes. Longer transit due to consolidation. |
| FCL Sea Freight | Full household moves | €2,000–€6,000+ | 2–5 weeks | Your own container. More secure, often faster for large moves. 20ft or 40ft container. |
| Road Freight (truck) | European moves only | €800–€3,500 | 1–2 weeks | Direct truck from Western Europe. Often cheapest for EU-origin full household moves. |
| Air Freight | Urgent small shipments | €800–€3,000 per 100kg | 3–10 days | Only practical for a few high-value boxes. Cost-prohibitive for furniture. |
All costs are rough guides. Actual quotes depend on volume, origin, destination, and market conditions.
Common questions
FAQ: Shipping Your Belongings to Turkey
Everything you need to plan your move
Moving to Turkey Guide
Complete relocation overview
Plan Your Move
Personalised move planning tool
Shipping Household Goods
Full guide to shipping furniture & boxes
Turkey Customs Rules
What you can and cannot bring
Moving with Pets
Documents, vaccines, entry rules
Importing a Car to Turkey
Permanent vs temporary import