Shipping goods from Turkey to Russia
Turkey is one of the most flexible routes to Russia: sea freight from Istanbul and Mersin to Novorossiysk, road freight using Black Sea ferries, and air freight from Istanbul. We collect from your premises in Istanbul, İzmir, Bursa, Ankara, Mersin or Gaziantep and consolidate in Istanbul with weekly departures. We prepare the Turkish export declaration on your behalf, and your Russian customer receives the goods cleared through customs and delivered.
Sea freight from Mersin to Novorossiysk takes 3–5 days. The Istanbul–Sochi ferry sails three times a week, and with the road leg Moscow is 4–7 days away. A full truck via Georgia and Azerbaijan takes two to three weeks. The Black Sea leg is short, so most of the time goes on building the load and customs, and the ferry depends on the weather. B2B only, from 50 kg (air freight has no weight limit), minimum service fee €200.
How we ship from Turkey to Russia
Via Turkey, Georgia and Azerbaijan
By road from Europe to Turkey, then through Georgia and Azerbaijan to the crossing in Dagestan. 2–3 weeks in transit, from €18,000 per truck. Avoids queues at the northern border.
Southern route via Turkey and Iran
By road to Turkey, then via Iran and Azerbaijan to southern Russian border crossings or by ferry across the Caspian. For southern Russia, the Caucasus and the Volga region, and when northern borders are congested. From 40 days.
Air freight
From any country in 2–8 days door to door via Istanbul or Dubai, charged by volumetric weight (1 m³ = 167 kg), no weight limit. Minimum service fee €200.
Transit times to Moscow
| Mode | Door to door |
|---|---|
| Road | 4–7 days |
| Sea (via port) | 3–5 days |
| Air | 2–8 days |
What suppliers ship from Turkey to Russia
Turkish suppliers ship textiles and clothing from Istanbul and Bursa, furniture and fittings, building materials, marble, ceramics and sanitary ware from İzmir and Bursa, fruit, vegetables, nuts, honey and dried fruit, and equipment for light industry. Food travels refrigerated where needed and requires Rosselkhoznadzor (Russian veterinary and phytosanitary) certification. Textiles must carry Chestny ZNAK (Honest Sign) labelling before dispatch — codes cannot be applied after import.
Where we collect from Turkey
Istanbul, İzmir, Bursa, Ankara, Mersin, Gaziantep and any other address.
Export formalities
Turkey is not in the EU, so goods are declared for export with Turkish customs, followed by full import clearance in Russia. Turkish companies often work through intermediaries, so we check who will be named as the exporter in the declaration and to whose account payment goes. Origin is a separate legal question: it is established by processing, not by transhipment, and origin certificates are checked at Russian customs. We screen every consignment against EU, UK, Swiss and US sanctions lists.
How it works for you as a supplier
- 1Quote within 2 hours
Send the invoice or packing list — we check the HS codes against EU sanctions lists and quote transport, export formalities and customs clearance in Russia. - 2Collection from your premises
We pick up the goods from your warehouse or factory and take them to our consolidation warehouse or load a dedicated truck. - 3Export declaration
We lodge the export declaration on your behalf and send you the MRN and the proof of exit — the basis for zero-rating VAT. - 4Delivery to your customer
Border crossing, customs clearance in Russia and delivery to your buyer’s warehouse; tracking at every stage.
Practical tips
- Apply Chestny ZNAK codes to textiles and clothing before dispatch — they cannot be applied after import.
- Check who is named as the exporter and who receives payment when working through an intermediary.
- Do not treat Turkey as a way to change a product’s origin: origin comes from processing, not from transhipment, and certificates are checked.
Frequently asked questions
How long does shipping from Turkey to Russia take?
By sea from Mersin to Novorossiysk, 3–5 days. Via the Istanbul–Sochi ferry and road, 4–7 days to Moscow. A full truck via Georgia and Azerbaijan, two to three weeks.
How can my Russian customer pay me?
Payment terms are agreed with your customer. If a direct transfer is not possible, they can use our supplier-payment service: they pay a payment agent under an agency agreement, and a partner company resident in the EU pays your invoice by bank transfer.
Which documents are needed?
A Turkish export declaration, which we prepare on your behalf, plus a commercial invoice, packing list, HS codes, a certificate of origin and product certificates. In Russia, the goods are fully cleared and your buyer pays duties and VAT.
Do you check sanctions for Turkish cargo?
Yes. Although Turkey does not apply EU sanctions, we only handle goods not subject to EU, UK, Swiss or US sanctions, and we screen every HS code and party before accepting cargo.