TURKEY TO UK

Shipping a car from Turkey to the UK by RoRo costs from £750 for a small car (such as a VW Golf) and from £1,095 for a large car or SUV (such as a Range Rover), port-to-port. Vehicles depart from Izmit, Izmir, or Autoport (near Istanbul) and arrive at UK ports including Southampton or Portbury. Port-to-port transit runs 15–40 days depending on port and sailing, with approximately 4 sailings per month.

RoRo Only — How Vehicles Ship from Turkey to the UK

There is no container shipping service available on the Turkey-to-UK route through Ship Cars Ltd. All vehicles ship exclusively by Roll-on Roll-off (RoRo) — the same method used globally by car manufacturers to move new vehicles between markets. Your car is driven onto a purpose-built vehicle carrier at the Turkish port, secured on deck, and driven off at the UK arrival port. It is a well-established, reliable method that has been used to ship millions of vehicles across the Mediterranean and into Northern Europe every year.

RoRo is ideally suited to the Turkey-UK route. The voyage is relatively short compared to intercontinental routes, the frequency of sailings is good, and the cost is competitive. For anyone relocating from Turkey to the UK, or importing a Turkish-registered vehicle for personal use, RoRo is a straightforward and proven way to get your car home.

Turkish Departure Ports

Ship Cars Ltd ships vehicles from two main Turkish ports, all serving different regions of the country. We arrange road transport from anywhere in Turkey to your nearest departure port as part of a door-to-port or full door-to-door service.

• Autoport, Izmit (near Istanbul) — a dedicated automotive terminal close to Istanbul with consistent sailings and a typical transit of 16–19 days to the UK. Well-suited to vehicles coming from Istanbul, Bursa, or the northwest of Turkey.

• Izmir (Aegean coast) — serves vehicles from Izmir, Ankara, and the wider Aegean and central regions of Turkey. Transit times run approximately 13–40 days depending on the specific sailing and routing.

If you are based in southern Turkey — Antalya, Mersin, or Adana — inland transport to one of the above ports is the standard arrangement. 

UK Arrival Ports

Vehicles arriving from Turkey by RoRo are discharged at UK ports including:

• Southampton — the UK’s primary RoRo terminal for Mediterranean-origin vehicles, with strong onward road connections to anywhere in England, Wales, and Scotland

• Portbury Bristol — a major RoRo hub on the Thames estuary, well-positioned for customers based in London and the South East

Once your vehicle is discharged and released through UK customs, we can arrange delivery to any UK address. You do not need to collect it from the port yourself.

Transit Times and Sailing Frequency

Sailings from Turkey to the UK operate approximately four times per month, which gives a reasonable level of flexibility when planning your shipment. The actual transit time from port to port varies by departure point:

• Autoport (Izmit, near Istanbul) to UK: approximately 16–19 days

• Izmir to UK: approximately 15–40 days

The range in transit times reflects the variation in direct versus indirect sailings, vessel routing, and port calling schedules. Our team will confirm the current schedule and the best available sailing for your timeframe at the point of booking.

Add UK customs clearance and onward delivery, and the realistic door-to-door timeline from Turkey is approximately 3–6 weeks. Book as early as possible to secure your preferred sailing date, particularly if you are working to a deadline.

Preparing Your Vehicle for RoRo Shipping from Turkey

RoRo shipping has some straightforward requirements that apply regardless of where you are shipping from. Getting these right before the vehicle reaches the port avoids delays and unexpected costs:

• Fuel level: The tank must be no more than a quarter full at the point of loading. This is a standard safety requirement for all RoRo vessel operators.

• Personal belongings: The vehicle must be empty. No personal items, luggage, tools, or valuables should be left inside. These will not be covered by marine insurance and may cause the shipment to be held.

• Working condition: The vehicle must be in a driveable state — it needs to be driven on and off the vessel at both ends.

• Alarm system: If the vehicle has an alarm, it must be deactivated before loading. An alarm triggering on deck causes significant disruption and may result in charges.

• Documentation in order: Turkish export paperwork must be completed correctly before the vehicle is loaded. Missing or incorrect documents at the port is one of the most common causes of delay on this route.

Our team will walk you through the full checklist before your vehicle reaches the Turkish port so nothing gets missed.

UK Import Duties and Taxes: What You Will Pay

Turkey is not part of the UK’s preferential trade arrangements for vehicles, which means standard UK import taxes apply to all vehicles shipped from Turkey unless it’s a UK returning vehicle.

• Import duty: 10% on the vehicle’s customs value (purchase price plus shipping and insurance — known as the CIF value)
• VAT: 20% on the total CIF value plus import duty

As a practical example: a vehicle purchased for £6,000 with shipping and insurance costs of £1,200 carries a CIF value of £7,200. Import duty at 10% = £720. VAT is then charged on £7,920 at 20% = £1,584. Total taxes: approximately £2,304, before NOVA, IVA, and DVLA registration costs.

IVA — Do You Need It?

Turkish-market vehicles are not type-approved under UK or EU vehicle regulations. Unless your vehicle was originally manufactured for the European market and holds a valid Certificate of Conformity (COC), it will need to pass an Individual Vehicle Approval (IVA) test from the DVSA before it can be registered on UK roads.

The DVSA IVA inspection fee is £457 in 2026. Depending on the vehicle, modifications may be required — common examples include headlight beam adjustment for UK roads, speedometer conversion to mph, and fitting a rear fog light. Modification costs typically range from £500 to £3,000 depending on the vehicle.

Vehicles over 10 years old may qualify for an exemption from the full IVA process under certain DVSA conditions. Contact our team to discuss your specific vehicle before committing to ship — it is always better to know what is ahead of you before the vehicle leaves Turkey.

Required Documents for UK Customs Clearance

To clear your vehicle through UK customs and proceed with DVLA registration, you will need:

• Original Turkish vehicle registration document (Ruhsat)

• Bill of lading issued by the shipping line

• Commercial invoice or proof of purchase

• Packing list

• Marine insurance certificate

• NOVA declaration submitted to HMRC within 14 days of the vehicle arriving in the UK

• IVA certificate from the DVSA (where required)

• Proof of identity and UK address

Our documentation team handles the customs entry and NOVA support on your behalf. Everything is prepared correctly before the vessel sails so there are no avoidable delays at the UK port.

How Ship Cars Ltd Can Help

At Ship Cars Ltd, we handle Turkey-to-UK RoRo shipments routinely. We know the Turkish ports, the sailing schedules, the Turkish export paperwork, and the full UK import process from customs through to DVLA registration.

Here is what we manage for you:

• Collection from anywhere in Turkey and road transport to the departure port

• Confirmed booking on RoRo sailings from Izmit, Autoport, or Izmir

• Full Turkish export documentation support

• Marine insurance arrangement

• UK customs clearance through our registered agents

• NOVA declaration support with HMRC

• Onward delivery to any UK address after port release

• IVA booking guidance where the vehicle requires approval

We are upfront about every cost involved — shipping, taxes, IVA, and registration — before you commit. No vague estimates, no surprises on arrival.

Contact Ship Cars Ltd for a personalised Turkey-to-UK shipping quote.

Real Customer Examples

A customer relocating from Istanbul to Birmingham shipped his Mercedes C-Class from Autoport via RoRo. The vehicle arrived at Southampton in 18 days. It was a UK returning vehicle and paid neither duty nor VAT — our team prepared the paperwork before the vessel sailed, so customs clearance was straightforward from the moment the car arrived at port.

Frequently Asked Questions

Is container shipping available from Turkey to the UK?

No. Ship Cars Ltd operates RoRo-only service on the Turkey-to-UK route. All vehicles travel by Roll-on Roll-off vessel from Izmit, Autoport, or Izmir to UK ports.

How often do ships sail from Turkey to the UK?

Approximately four times per month across the two Turkish departure ports. Our team will confirm the current schedule and next available sailing at the time of booking.

Do I need to be present at the Turkish port when my vehicle is loaded?

Yes. Turkish customs clearance happens at the port when the vehicle is dropped to the port. You do not need to attend the port for loading.

How long does UK customs clearance take?

Under normal conditions, customs clearance takes 1–2 working days after the vessel arrives at the UK port. 

All transit times and cost estimates are indicative and subject to carrier schedules, port conditions, and customs processing. Contact Ship Cars Ltd for a current, tailored quote.