Shipping from Turkey to Iran: Complete 2026 Road Guide
Shipping from Turkey to Iran is mostly by road via Gürbulak–Bazargan. See border gates, documents and Iranian import rules.
Shipping from Turkey to Iran is mostly done by road. Trucks cross at Gürbulak–Bazargan, the main gate, or at Kapıköy–Razi and Esendere–Serow. Rail and air freight cover special cases. This guide explains the border gates, the documents and the Iranian import rules that decide how smoothly a shipment moves.
Turkey is a large supplier to Iran. According to Turkish Ministry of Foreign Affairs figures based on TurkStat data, Turkey exported about 3.2 billion US dollars of goods to Iran in 2024. Machinery and parts, plastics, chemicals and agricultural products are among the main groups. Rules and border conditions change, so confirm current details with your forwarder and customs before you load.
Shipping from Turkey to Iran: the border gates
Turkey and Iran share a land border through provinces including Ağrı, Van and Hakkâri. Three crossings are the ones most shippers consider. Gürbulak–Bazargan is the best known and carries the bulk of truck traffic. The IRU calls it a key road corridor linking Türkiye and Europe through Iran to Central Asia.
| Crossing | Turkish side | Iranian side | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| Gürbulak–Bazargan | Gürbulak, Ağrı | Bazargan | Main road gate for trucks |
| Kapıköy–Razi | Kapıköy, Van | Razi | Road and rail link near Van |
| Esendere–Serow | Esendere, Hakkâri | Serow | Southern road gate |
Gürbulak can be crowded, so another crossing may suit your cargo better. Which gate suits your cargo depends on its destination in Iran, the vehicle and current conditions. Ask your forwarder to confirm the choice before the truck leaves. For more on the Iranian side, read about Iran border crossings for trucks.
Road freight from Turkey to Iran: how it works
Road freight is the standard way to handle shipping from Turkey to Iran. A truck loads at your factory or warehouse in Turkey and clears Turkish export formalities. It then crosses the border and continues to the Iranian customs office or the buyer's warehouse.
The TIR system is part of the procedures on this corridor. UND, Turkey's member association of the IRU, took part in field visits to Gürbulak–Bazargan with the IRU and customs in 2026. The IRU encourages TIR-EPD and TIR green lanes, and says that trucks operating under TIR benefit from faster and more predictable customs procedures. Check with UND, the IRU and customs which procedure applies to your route. You can start at the IRU website.
- Full truckload (FTL) suits large single-buyer cargo.
- Groupage (LTL) suits smaller lots from several suppliers.
- Refrigerated trucks suit food and temperature-controlled goods.
Waiting time at the border can be long at some periods. Media reports in September 2026 described waits of about a week at Gürbulak. Queue rules, vehicle priority and loading permissions for foreign trucks can also change. Treat any transit-time figure as an estimate and ask for the current situation. See our road freight service for the vehicle types we arrange.
Royan Logistic is a Tehran-based logistics company. It arranges road, sea, rail and air freight, groupage and full-truckload shipments, refrigerated and project cargo, customs coordination and ADR transport. Our Iran logistics page describes the Iranian side of the journey.
Rail and other options
A railway line runs from Van through Razi to Tabriz. The Van–Razi section opened in 1971. It is used mainly for through traffic, and the freight facilities along it are limited. Turkey and Iran both use standard gauge, so there is no gauge change at the border. Rail from western Turkey also involves the Lake Van crossing, which needs planning. For shipping from Turkey to Iran, treat rail as a special-case option and ask for confirmation of capacity.
For urgent shipping from Turkey to Iran, air freight suits high-value or perishable cargo. It costs more per kilogram than road, so compare both. If you plan to send goods onward from Iran to Central Asia, read our article on transit freight through Iran.
Documents and Iranian import rules
Documents decide whether shipping from Turkey to Iran runs smoothly or stalls at the border. Prepare them before loading. The exact list depends on the product and on the rules at the time.
- Commercial invoice and packing list with matching quantities and values.
- CMR consignment note for road transport, plus the TIR carnet where used.
- Turkish export declaration and certificate of origin where required.
- Health, quality or phytosanitary certificates for food and plant products.
- Your Iranian buyer's import registration and any special approvals.
In Iran, importers need a commercial card and must register each import order through the national trade system before shipping. Food, medicines and cosmetics need approval from the Ministry of Health. Plants need a phytosanitary certificate. Some goods must meet mandatory national standards. Ask your buyer to confirm these steps before you load.
The Iranian customs administration, IRICA, runs the import declaration system. Its site is irica.ir. The Trade Promotion Organization of Iran publishes trade information. Rules, quotas and tariffs change. Confirm current requirements with customs or the relevant authority before each shipment.
Payment, insurance and banking restrictions can also affect trade. Check current trade, banking and insurance restrictions with your bank and legal adviser.
What affects transit time and cost
We do not quote fixed times or prices in a general guide. These factors matter most for shipping from Turkey to Iran.
- Border gate, queue length and current crossing rules.
- Whether cargo travels under TIR or another customs procedure.
- Cargo type, weight and whether it needs a refrigerated truck.
- Completeness of documents on both sides.
- Scanning, inspection and Iranian customs clearance time.
- Season, weather on the eastern Anatolian plateau and mountain passes.
- Insurance level and the delivery term you agree.
Agree the delivery term with your Iranian buyer early. Our guide to Incoterms 2020 shows who pays what and where the risk passes. For a view of the wider network, see international freight from Iran.
Frequently asked questions
Which border is used most for trucks from Turkey to Iran?
Gürbulak–Bazargan is the main road gate. Kapıköy–Razi and Esendere–Serow are alternatives. Your forwarder will choose according to cargo, destination and current conditions.
Does the Iranian buyer need any registration?
Yes. Importers in Iran need a commercial card and an import order registration. Some products also need approvals from bodies such as the Ministry of Health or the standards organization. Confirm all of this with your buyer before shipping.
Can I use a TIR carnet for shipping from Turkey to Iran?
TIR carnets are part of road procedures on this corridor. Procedures and the exact requirements can change, so confirm them with UND, the IRU and customs before you plan the shipment.
How long does a truck take from Turkey to Iran?
The time depends on the destination, the gate and the queue. Border waiting has been long at some periods. We do not quote a fixed number. Ask for the current situation when you request a quote.
Request a quote for shipping from Turkey to Iran
Send us your cargo, weight, loading city in Turkey and delivery point in Iran. We will suggest the border gate and the vehicle type. Use the quote form, or read our guide to road freight from Iran to Germany to see how the Turkish route works in the other direction.
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