Turkey is Iran's main land gateway to the west. Cargo from Iranian factories and warehouses reaches Istanbul, Ankara, Bursa, Mersin and Izmir by road, and much of Iran's road freight to Europe also crosses Turkish territory. In the other direction, machinery, spare parts and consumer goods from Turkey travel to Tehran, Tabriz and other Iranian cities. Royan Logistic is based in Tehran, Iran, and plans these shipments around your cargo, the crossing that suits it and the delivery date you need.
Border crossings between Iran and Turkey
The choice of crossing affects transit time, queues and the onward route. We compare the options for each shipment; conditions at the border are confirmed for the planned date.
| Crossing (Iran – Turkey) | Iranian side | Turkish side | Usually suits |
|---|---|---|---|
| Bazargan – Gürbulak | West Azerbaijan province, near Maku | Ağrı (Doğubayazıt) | Main TIR crossing; Istanbul, Ankara and Europe |
| Razi – Kapıköy | West Azerbaijan province, near Khoy | Van | Road and rail crossing; eastern Turkey and alternative to Bazargan |
| Sero – Esendere | West Azerbaijan province, near Urmia | Hakkari (Yüksekova) | South-eastern Turkey, alternative when other crossings are busy |
Transport options
- Full truckload: a dedicated truck from the loading point in Iran directly to the consignee in Turkey, or the reverse. See full truckload (FTL).
- Groupage: a few pallets consolidated with other cargo on the same route, sharing the cost. See groupage (LTL).
- Rail: the Iran–Turkey rail link runs via Razi–Kapıköy and the Lake Van ferry between Van and Tatvan before joining the Turkish rail network. It can suit heavy, non-urgent cargo; see rail freight.
- Special cargo: temperature-controlled loads with refrigerated trucks, dangerous goods under ADR and project or out-of-gauge cargo.
Istanbul, Mersin and Izmir connections
Most road cargo from Iran is delivered to industrial areas around Istanbul, Kocaeli, Bursa and Ankara. Mersin and Izmir matter when the cargo continues by sea: a shipment can travel from Iran to a Turkish port by road and then onward in a container to the Mediterranean, North Africa or other markets. In these cases we plan the road leg, the port handover and the sea leg as one intermodal plan.
Transit to Europe through Turkey
Iranian exports to Europe usually travel by TIR truck across Turkey and leave towards Bulgaria or Greece at the Kapıkule or İpsala crossings. Iran and Turkey are both parties to the TIR Convention, so transit cargo normally moves under a TIR carnet with a CMR consignment note. Details are on our freight to Europe page.
Typical cargo
From Iran to Turkey we regularly see petrochemicals and polymers, steel products, building materials such as tiles and stone, dried fruit and nuts, and fresh produce. From Turkey to Iran the flows include machinery and spare parts, textile inputs, packaging materials and consumer goods. Each cargo raises its own questions (temperature and time, weight and securing, packaging and stacking), and we ask them at the quotation stage.
Documents
- Commercial invoice and packing list
- CMR consignment note for road, rail consignment note for rail
- TIR carnet when the cargo travels under TIR transit
- Certificate of origin and, depending on the product, phytosanitary or health certificates
- Export and import customs declarations, prepared by the customs brokers on each side
Payment and documentation requirements are reviewed for each shipment, and the exact document set is confirmed against current rules on both sides of the border.
Transit times
As an approximate guide, road freight from Tehran to Istanbul takes around 5–7 days, depending on loading, queues at the border, customs clearance and the season. Cities in eastern Turkey are reached sooner; onward transit to Europe adds several days. We give you a realistic plan for your specific cargo when we quote.
What to send for a quote
- Loading and delivery addresses (city, and full address if possible)
- Cargo type, HS code if known, and packaging
- Number of pieces or pallets, dimensions and total weight
- Target loading date and any special handling needs
Send the details through the request form on our contact page and we will come back with a route and transport proposal. For shipments within and through Iran in general, see our Iran logistics page.
Frequently asked questions
Which border crossing do you use between Iran and Turkey?
Bazargan–Gürbulak is the main TIR crossing and usually suits cargo for Istanbul, Ankara and Europe. Razi–Kapıköy is used for road and rail, and Sero–Esendere can be an alternative for south-eastern Turkey. We choose the crossing for each shipment based on the cargo, destination and current border conditions.
How long does road freight from Tehran to Istanbul take?
Approximately 5–7 days, depending on loading, border queues, customs clearance and the season. We confirm a realistic plan for your cargo at the quotation stage.
Is there a rail option between Iran and Turkey?
Yes. The rail link runs via Razi–Kapıköy and the Lake Van ferry between Van and Tatvan. It can suit heavy, non-urgent cargo; we compare it with road freight before recommending it.
Can you ship from Iran to Europe through Turkey?
Yes. Iranian cargo for Europe usually crosses Turkey by TIR truck under a TIR carnet and continues via Kapıkule or İpsala. See our freight to Europe page for details.
Do you handle small shipments?
Yes. For a few pallets we look at groupage, where your cargo is consolidated with other loads on the same route. Costs are shared, although consolidation can add some time.
Which documents are needed?
Usually a commercial invoice, packing list, CMR, certificate of origin and customs declarations on both sides, plus a TIR carnet for transit and product-specific certificates where required. The exact set is confirmed for each shipment.
