Shipping from Turkey to the USA | Customs, Prices, & Services for eCommerce & Businesses
Turkey, a strategic manufacturing hub bridging Europe and Asia, has a robust and growing trade relationship with the United States, one of the world’s largest consumer markets. For businesses importing Turkish textiles, furniture, or auto parts, or for shoppers buying from Turkish eCommerce sites, understanding the logistics is key.
Gosanto offers complete shipping solutions from Turkey to the USA, covering everything from B2B commercial cargo to B2C personal parcels. We specialize in cost-effective sea and air freight, full customs handling (including Section 321 for eCommerce), door-to-door delivery, and parcel consolidation.
- B2C / eCommerce Shoppers: We provide a free Turkish address, parcel consolidation (competing with MyUS and Shipito), and express shipping, allowing you to buy from any Turkish store and save on shipping.
- B2B / Traders: We manage commercial freight, including FCL/LCL sea freight, air cargo, and all US customs brokerage, competing with major freight forwarders.
Shipping Methods from Turkey to the USA
Your choice depends on a balance of speed, cost, and shipment size. Unlike shorter routes, shipping to the USA primarily relies on sea and air.
🚢 Sea Freight
- Best for: Large, heavy, and non-urgent bulk shipments (furniture, textiles, machinery). This is the most cost-effective method for volume.
- Transit Time: 20 – 40 days (depending on the port and sailing schedule).
- Ports: From major Turkish ports like Istanbul (Ambarli), Mersin, and Izmir → To major US ports like New York/New Jersey (NY/NJ), Savannah (SAV), and Los Angeles/Long Beach (LA/LB).
- Services:
- FCL (Full Container Load): Your own exclusive 20ft or 40ft container.
- LCL (Less than Container Load): For smaller shipments consolidated with others.
- Tips: Plan well in advance. Sea freight is cheapest for volume but the slowest option.
✈️ Air Freight
- Best for: Urgent, high-value, or small-to-medium shipments (eCommerce, electronics, fashion samples, time-sensitive cargo).
- Transit Time: 2 – 7 business days.
- Airports: From Istanbul (IST) → To major hubs like New York (JFK), Chicago (ORD), and Los Angeles (LAX).
- Tips: The fastest and most secure option, but priced based on actual or volumetric weight (whichever is higher).
📦 Express Courier & eCommerce Services
- Best for: B2C eCommerce, personal items, documents, and samples.
- Transit Time: Express (1-3 days), Standard (4-8 days).
- Partners: We work with major carriers like DHL, FedEx, and UPS, using our volume to get you better rates.
- Key Service: Parcel Consolidation. We provide a free Turkish address to receive your packages from multiple online stores. We then consolidate them into one box, drastically reducing your final shipping cost to the USA.
Shipping Costs & Transit Times
Factors That Affect Your Shipping Cost
- Shipping Method: Air freight is significantly more expensive than sea freight.
- Weight & Size: Carriers charge by volumetric weight (Length x Width x Height / 5000) or actual weight, whichever is greater.
- Container Volume (CBM): The amount of space your goods occupy in a shared container (LCL).
- Origin/Destination: Surcharges may apply for remote locations.
- US Customs Duties: See the customs section below (note the $800 de minimis rule).
- Insurance: Optional, but highly recommended for high-value goods.
Sample Shipping Costs (Turkey to USA)
| Shipping Type | Weight / Size | Approx. Cost | Suitable For |
| Small Parcel (B2C) | 0.5 – 1 kg | $20 – $55 | Online shoppers, parcel consolidation |
| Medium Parcel (Air) | 20 – 30 kg | $150 – $250 | Small businesses, urgent stock |
| Sea Freight (LCL) | 1 CBM | $200 – $400 | Small traders, furniture |
| Sea Freight (FCL 20’) | 15,000+ kg | $800– $1500 | Large importers, bulk goods |
| Customs Entry (Formal) | Fixed | ~$50 – $300 | Commercial shipments > $2,500 |
Practical Tips:
- For Shoppers: Always use parcel consolidation. Shipping 5 packages separately can cost 3-4x more than shipping them as one.
- For Businesses: For shipments over 20kg, air freight may be more cost-effective than courier services. For shipments over 3 CBM, sea freight is almost always cheaper.
US Customs Clearance & Import Regulations
This is the most critical part of shipping to the USA. The rules are strict but very favorable for B2C.
The $800 “De Minimis” Rule (Section 321)
This is the most important rule for eCommerce and small parcels. Under US law, shipments valued at $800 USD or less can be imported by one person, per day, completely free of duties and taxes.
- This is a massive advantage for B2C sellers and shoppers. Gosanto specializes in processing these shipments for fast, tax-free clearance.
Formal vs. Informal Entry
- Informal Entry: For commercial shipments valued under $2,500 USD. Customs paperwork is simpler.
- Formal Entry: For all commercial shipments valued over $2,500 USD. This requires a Customs Bond (either a Single Entry Bond or a Continuous Bond) and a formal customs declaration.
Documents Required (for B2B Shipments)
- Commercial Invoice: Must list the seller, buyer, product descriptions, quantities, prices, and origin.
- Packing List: Details the contents, weight, and dimensions of each carton.
- Bill of Lading (B/L) for sea freight or Air Waybill (AWB) for air freight.
Restricted Items
The US has strict regulations on certain goods. Importing these requires extra paperwork from agencies like:
- FDA (Food and Drug Administration): For food, beverages, cosmetics, and medical devices.
- CPSC (Consumer Product Safety Commission): For children’s products, toys, etc.
- Textiles: Must have proper “Made in Turkey” labels and fiber content declarations.
Our Service: Gosanto handles all US customs paperwork. We manage de minimis entries for eCommerce and work with licensed US customs brokers to handle formal entries and bonds for our B2B clients.
Why Choose Gosanto for Shipping to the USA?
- All Cargo Types: From a single 1kg parcel to a 40ft FCL container.
- eCommerce Expertise: We specialize in parcel consolidation and $800 de minimis clearance.
- Competitive Rates: Our partnerships with all major air and sea carriers give you access to the best prices.
- Full Customs Handling: We manage the complex paperwork for both B2C and B2B formal entries.
- Full Visibility: Get real-time tracking from our warehouse in Turkey to your door in the USA.
- Regional Expertise: We are masters of the transatlantic trade lanes and US import requirements.
Local Market & Competitor Context
- B2C Competitors (Parcel Forwarding): MyUS, Stackry, and Shipito are popular, but our consolidation services offer competitive rates and personalized service.
- B2B / Express: DHL, FedEx, and UPS are excellent integrated carriers. Gosanto acts as your freight forwarder, comparing these options and sea freight to find your best-cost solution.
- Popular Imports: The most common goods shipped are textiles, apparel, carpets, furniture, auto parts, and machinery.
❓ Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)
- How long does shipping take from Turkey to the USA?
- Express Air: 1-3 business days.
- Standard Air: 2-7 business days.
- Sea Freight: 20-40 days.
- What is the cheapest shipping method?
- For bulk: Sea freight is the cheapest per kg or CBM.
- For parcels: Consolidating multiple items and using standard (non-express) shipping is the cheapest.
- How much are customs fees for the USA?
- For B2C shipments under $800, there are $0 duties and taxes (Section 321).
- For shipments over $800, duties depend on the product’s HS code and typically range from 0% to 25%.
- Can you ship furniture from Turkey to the USA?
- Yes, absolutely. This is very common. We recommend LCL (for a few pieces) or FCL (for a full house) sea freight.
- Do you offer door-to-door service?
- Yes. We can pick up from the factory in Turkey and deliver directly to your address or Amazon FBA warehouse in the USA, handling all steps in between.
- What items are restricted?
- Standard restrictions apply (flammables, batteries, etc.). Additionally, food, cosmetics, and children’s products require pre-approval from US agencies like the FDA or CPSC.