In light of global economic shifts, Turkey is no longer just a tourist destination—it has become the “new factory of the world” and is considered the most vital trade artery for the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) countries. Thanks to European-quality goods and competitive prices, importing from Turkey has become the first choice for traders in Saudi Arabia, the UAE, and Qatar.
However, to make your trade journey profitable, you must understand the “rules of the game.” In this comprehensive 2026 guide, experts at Turk Marsal offer you a detailed roadmap covering everything you need to know—from finding a trusted supplier, navigating customs and the “Saber” platform, to choosing the most cost-effective shipping method for your budget.
Table of Contents
1. Step One: How to Find a Trusted Supplier (Map of Industrial Cities)
The first mistake beginners make is searching only in Istanbul. Turkey is a vast industrial country, and each city is known for specific industries:
- Istanbul: Fashion capital. Head to Osmanbey markets for high-end brands, and Laleli and Merter for ready-to-wear and wholesale goods. İstoç Market is renowned for household goods and hardware in bulk.
- Bursa: Capital of home textiles (furnishings, towels, curtains) and children’s clothing.
- Gaziantep: Main center for carpets, shoes, and food products (nuts and sweets).
- Izmir: Famous for bridal and evening dresses.
💡 Expert Tip: Before transferring any money, ask for the factory’s tax number and verify it—or let us at Turk Marsal visit the factory on your behalf to confirm its existence and product quality.
2. Required Official Documents: Don’t Let Your Shipment Be Delayed
As of 2026, customs procedures are almost entirely digital, and any missing documents may lead to fines or re-exporting of goods. Ensure your supplier provides the following:
- Commercial Invoice: Must be certified and detailed.
- Certificate of Origin: To prove goods are of Turkish origin (for possible tax exemptions).
- Packing List: Shows number of cartons, gross/net weight, and contents of each package.
- Euro 1 Certificate: Crucial if shipping to EU countries and sometimes required under specific trade agreements.
- Bill of Lading / CMR: The transport document we issue for you at Turk Marsal.
3. Customs in Saudi Arabia and UAE 2026: What’s New?
For importers to Saudi Arabia 🇸🇦
- Complying with the Zakat, Tax and Customs Authority (ZATCA) is key.
- Saber Platform: For all consumer products (textiles, devices, toys), you must obtain a Product Certificate of Conformity (PCoC) and a Shipment Certificate of Conformity (SCoC) via Saber before shipping.
- Customs Tariffs: Vary based on the Harmonized System Code (HS Code). Ensure you know the correct code for your product to calculate costs accurately.
For importers to the UAE 🇦🇪
- Procedures in Dubai and Jebel Ali are among the fastest globally, but the receiving company must have an active importer code.
4. Crucial Comparison: Land, Sea, or Air Freight?
How to choose the most suitable method? At Turk Marsal, we’ve prepared this comparison to help you decide:
| Criteria | Land Freight | Sea Freight | Air Freight |
|---|---|---|---|
| Best For | Gulf countries & Europe (mid-large volumes) | Massive volumes (containers), distant destinations (e.g., USA) | Samples, high-value goods, urgent shipments |
| Cost | Medium (most economical for GCC) | Low (for heavy weights) | High |
| Duration (to KSA) | 10 – 14 days | 20 – 25 days | 3 – 5 days |
| Risk | Low (door-to-door) | Medium (requires inland port transport) | Very low |
💡 Did you know? Our land freight service from Turkey is the most in-demand due to its balance between cost and speed.
5. Smart Strategies to Reduce Import Costs (How to Save 40%)
International shipping isn’t just about “cost per kilo”—it’s a smart calculation. At Turk Marsal, we help engineer your shipment to pay the lowest possible amount. Here’s how:
- Power of Consolidation:
A common mistake is shipping each order separately. Shipping companies charge a high rate for the “first half kilo” every time.
Our solution: We give you a virtual box in our Istanbul warehouse. Buy from 5 different factories—we’ll consolidate all orders into one large shipment. The higher the weight, the lower the cost per kilo, and you avoid repeated “file opening” fees. - Volumetric Weight Optimization:
You might be paying to ship air. Companies charge based on the greater of actual vs volumetric weight (L×W×H ÷ 5000). Turkish suppliers often pack small goods in large boxes.
Our solution: Our repackaging team removes excess space, resizes boxes, and uses vacuum bags for clothes—reducing volume by up to 30%, instantly lowering your bill. - Avoiding Return Penalties:
There’s no bigger loss than receiving wrong or damaged goods that must be returned or discarded.
Our solution: Our quality check service photographs your items before sealing the box to ensure they match your order—saving you thousands of dollars. - Choosing the Right Delivery Terms (Incoterms):
Importing via EXW (Ex Works) gives you more control and lower costs compared to CIF (where suppliers add a markup on shipping).
Our solution: We own a fleet for domestic transport in Turkey, allowing us to pick up your goods from the factory at a very low local rate, then ship internationally at the best price.
6. Turk Marsal’s Role in Quality Control
The biggest nightmare for an importer is receiving non-compliant goods. That’s where we come in—as your logistics partner, not just a transporter:
- Pickup & Inspection: We collect goods from suppliers and store them at our Istanbul warehouse.
- Verification: We compare the goods with the invoice (quantity, color, size).
- Repacking: Most factories use weak packaging unsuitable for transport. We repackage using reinforced cartons or wooden boxes for safe delivery.
- Consolidation: We combine products from 5 different sources into one shipment to save on shipping.
Conclusion: Don’t Go Through It Alone
Importing from Turkey is a tremendous investment opportunity, but small details can mean the difference between profit and loss.
At Turk Marsal, we have the expertise, connections, and fleet to make your next import smoother than you ever imagined.
Are you ready to start?
📥 [Download a Customs-Compliant Commercial Invoice Template Here]
📞 [Contact Our Import Consultant for a Free Cost Analysis]
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)
We’ve compiled the most common questions we receive from traders and importers in 2026:
Q1: What are the customs fees when importing from Turkey to Saudi Arabia?
A: Fees vary based on product type (HS Code). Generally, customs range from 5% to 15%, plus 15% VAT.
Turk Marsal Advantage: We offer DDP (Delivered Duty Paid) service—one final per-kilo price including all costs to your door, avoiding financial surprises.
Q2: Do you ship global brands?
A: We ship original brands with an official invoice from the store or authorized dealer. Counterfeit brands are strictly restricted and may be confiscated. Contact our support team to confirm before purchase.
Q3: What’s the minimum weight that can be shipped?
A: At Turk Marsal, we serve everyone!
- For personal shipments (B2C): No minimum—starting from 1 kg.
- For business shipments (B2B): For best commercial rates, we recommend a minimum of 30 kg.
Q4: Are goods insured against breakage or loss?
A: Safety is our priority. We offer two types of insurance:
- Basic Insurance: Covers total loss of shipment.
- Full Coverage (optional): Covers damage and breakage 100%. Highly recommended for furniture, glass, and electronics.
Q5: How long does shipping from Istanbul take?
A: Depends on the shipping method:
- Express Air Freight: 3 – 5 business days
- Land Freight (to KSA & Gulf): 10 – 14 days
- Sea Freight: 20 – 30 days
Q6: I ordered from Trendyol and various Turkish websites. How can I consolidate?
A: Once you register with us, you’ll get a dedicated Turkish address. Use this address when buying from Trendyol, Zara, or any site. We’ll receive the shipments on your behalf, store them (free for a limited time), then consolidate and ship them to you.