RoRo shipping is the easiest way to get your car from Germany to Turkey. From Bremerhaven or Hamburg, you can reach Turkish ports such as Derince, Gemlik or Mersin in 7 to 12 days. The correct customs documents and the Turkish ÖTV tax are important. Good preparation saves time and money - especially with used cars.
If you want to transport your vehicle from Germany to Turkey, you basically have three options: RoRo shipping, container transport or the overland route. The RoRo method has established itself as the most popular option - and for good reason.
With RoRo (roll-on/roll-off), your car is driven onto the ship on its own wheels and rolled off again at the port of destination. This saves you the cost of a container and significantly reduces the risk of cargo damage. In addition, the departures are regular, so you can plan flexibly.
Compared to the overland route, you also save travelling through several countries with different tolls, insurance requirements and border controls. Shipping is faster, safer and in most cases also cheaper.
For current routes and conditions, you can reach us at https://odsorient.com/kontakt.
The most important ports of departure in Germany are Bremerhaven and Hamburg. From there, various shipping companies serve several Turkish ports of destination. The choice of route depends on your destination in Turkey and availability.
| Port of departure | Port of destination | Transit time | Special feature |
| Bremerhaven | Derince (Kocaeli) | 7-9 days | Nearest harbour to Istanbul |
| Bremerhaven | Gemlik (Bursa) | 8-10 days | Industrial region of Bursa |
| Hamburg | Mersin | 10-12 days | Southern Turkey, gateway to the Middle East |
| Bremerhaven | Mersin | 9-11 days | Alternative route via the Mediterranean |
Derince near Kocaeli is the best choice if your vehicle is travelling to the Istanbul or Ankara area. Gemlik is ideal for the Bursa and South Marmara region. Mersin is the ideal harbour if the vehicle is destined for southern Turkey or further afield in the Middle East.
You can find out more about the routes to the Middle East here: https://odsorient.com/naher-osten-per-roro-erreichen-ihre-optionen
Correct documentation is the key to smooth shipping. Missing or incorrect documents can lead to delays at Turkish customs and additional costs.
Vehicle registration certificate (registration certificate part II): The original must be available. A copy will not be accepted.
Commercial Invoice: Must show the vehicle value, buyer and seller correctly.
Bill of Lading (B/L): You will receive the bill of lading from the shipping company or your forwarding agent after loading.
Export declaration: Via the ATLAS system at German customs. Mandatory for all vehicles with a value of over 1,000 euros.
Power of attorney: If a third party drops off or collects the vehicle at the harbour.
You can find detailed information on customs documents in our guide: https://odsorient.com/zoll-und-dokumente-fuer-roro-handelsrechnung-title-b-l-und-telex-release-verstaendlich-erklaert
ÖTV (Özel Tüketim Vergisi) is the Turkish special consumption tax levied on imported vehicles. It is a significant cost factor and is based on engine capacity and vehicle type.
For vehicles with an engine capacity of up to 1,600 cc, the OTR is around 45 per cent of the customs value. For engines between 1,600 and 2,000 cc, it rises to around 130 per cent, and for vehicles over 2,000 cc it can be over 220 per cent. Turkish value added tax (KDV) of 20 per cent is also charged.
This means that the larger the engine, the higher the import duties. The duties for importing a used car with a small engine are much more moderate. It is worth being realistic about the value of the vehicle, as Turkish customs will check the value using reference databases.
For an individual calculation of your import costs, we recommend a personal consultation: https://odsorient.com/kontakt
The entire process can be divided into clear phases. If you prepare well, everything will run smoothly and without any nasty surprises.
Booking: You book the transport with a forwarding agent such as ODS Orient. You specify the route, departure date and vehicle data.
Vehicle preparation: Remove all personal items and loose parts. The tank should be no more than a quarter full.
Delivery to the harbour: The vehicle is delivered to the agreed terminal. A condition report with photo documentation is carried out there.
Loading: The vehicle is driven onto the RoRo ship on its own wheels and secured.
Transit: During the crossing, you can track the status via tracking systems.
Arrival and customs clearance: The vehicle is unloaded at the Turkish port of destination. You or your customs agent will take care of customs clearance.
Collection: After customs clearance, you can collect your vehicle or have it transported onwards.
The export of used cars to Turkey is subject to additional requirements that you should be aware of. Turkey has strict import rules for used vehicles in order to protect the domestic market.
In principle, private individuals resident in Turkey may import a used vehicle under certain conditions. These include proof of at least two years' ownership of the vehicle abroad. Other regulations apply to commercial dealers.
In addition, used vehicles require an emissions certificate (Egzoz Emisyon Testi) and must pass a technical inspection. The results must comply with Turkish standards. Vehicles older than 10 years are subject to an import ban in many cases.
Tip: Clarify the importability of your vehicle before booking. We will be happy to help you with the check - contact us at https://odsorient.com/kontakt.
With the right preparation, the entire process can be significantly optimised. Here are some tried-and-tested tips from the field:
Careful preparation is the most important factor for a stress-free shipment. You can find all the details on optimal preparation here: https://odsorient.com/vorbereitung-fuer-einen-reibungslosen-roro-transport
Depending on the route and port of destination, the transit time is between 7 and 12 days. The fastest route is from Bremerhaven to Derince, which takes around 7 to 9 days.
The costs depend on the route, the type of vehicle and the season. For a personalised quote, please contact us at https://odsorient.com/kontakt.
No, no loose items are allowed in the vehicle during RoRo transport. The shipping companies exclude liability for this and customs can cause problems.
Transport insurance is not mandatory, but is strongly recommended. The liability of the shipping company is severely limited in accordance with the Hague-Visby Rules.
In most cases, vehicles older than 10 years may not be imported into Turkey. There are exceptions for certain vehicle categories - a prior check is highly recommended.
The most important RoRo ports in Turkey are Derince (near Kocaeli/Istanbul), Gemlik (near Bursa) and Mersin (southern Turkey). The choice depends on your destination.
RoRo shipping your car to Turkey is a proven and efficient way. With the right preparation, complete documentation and an experienced freight forwarder at your side, the entire process will run smoothly.
Pay attention to the Turkish import regulations - especially the ÖTV tax and the special rules for used cars. The better informed you are, the fewer surprises await you.
Would you like to ship your car to Turkey? We will be happy to advise you personally and provide you with a customised quote at https://odsorient.com/kontakt.
Do you have any questions or would you like a non-binding offer? Contact us directly: https://odsorient.com/kontakt
All information in this article has been carefully researched but is subject to change at any time. ODS Orient accepts no liability for the topicality, accuracy and completeness of the information provided.
RoRo shipping is the easiest way to get your car from Germany to Turkey. From Bremerhaven or Hamburg, you can reach Turkish ports such as Derince, Gemlik or Mersin in 7 to 12 days. The correct customs documents and the Turkish ÖTV tax are important. Good preparation saves time and money - especially for used cars. Short answer in [...]
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