Direct shipment
Cargo goes from the origin port to the buyer's port and never touches Türkiye. This model gives the shortest lead time and the lowest handling cost.
Transit Trade
Selling goods bought abroad to a buyer abroad, without importing them into Türkiye.
What is transit trade?
Transit trade is the sale abroad of goods purchased abroad, either without entering the Turkish customs territory or after entering it under the transit or customs warehousing procedure.
There are three parties: the foreign supplier that makes or sells the goods, the Turkish transit trader that buys and resells them, and the foreign buyer. The purchase and the sale run on two separate contracts and two separate payment flows.
Goods are usually shipped directly from the country of origin to the buyer's country. The role of the Turkish company is to find the supply, set the commercial terms, manage payment and documents and coordinate the shipment.
Two basic shipping models
Transshipment via Türkiye
Cargo arrives at a Turkish port, free zone or bonded warehouse under the transit or warehousing procedure; it can be consolidated, split or repacked and then sent on to the buyer.
Benefits for buyers and manufacturers
Single sourcing point
Products from different countries are managed with one counterpart and one contract structure.
Payment security
Methods such as letters of credit or cash against documents balance the risk of both buyer and manufacturer.
Time and cost
Direct shipment removes intermediate unloading and storage and shortens lead times.
Market access
Manufacturers reach markets they cannot reach alone; buyers reach manufacturers they could not find alone.
The process step by step
- 1
Clarifying the request
Product code or technical specification, quantity, target price, destination and the required Incoterm are defined.
- 2
Choosing the supplier
Suitable manufacturers are compared on price, lead time, quality and document capability.
- 3
Offer and contract
A sales offer is made to the buyer; on approval the purchase and sales contracts are set up separately.
- 4
Payment structure
Advance payment, cash against documents or letter of credit is agreed separately for each side.
- 5
Production and loading follow-up
Production, packing, marking and loading schedule are tracked together with the supplier.
- 6
Documents
Commercial invoice, packing list, bill of lading, certificate of origin and, where needed, analysis or conformity certificates are prepared and checked.
- 7
Delivery and closing
Documents go to the buyer or the bank, the goods are collected and the payment flow is closed.
Key documents in transit trade
- Proforma and commercial invoice
- Issued separately for purchase and sale; description, quantity and price must match the contract.
- Bill of lading or air waybill
- Proves the cargo was handed over to the carrier; the key document for payment under a letter of credit.
- Packing list
- Shows cartons, pallets, weights and dimensions; checked at customs and on delivery.
- Certificate of origin
- States the country where the goods were made; important for duties and trade policy in the destination country.
- Insurance policy
- Arranged by the seller under terms such as CIF and CIP.
Common Incoterms
- EXW
- The seller's obligation ends at its premises; loading and carriage are the buyer's.
- FOB
- The seller loads the goods on board at the port of loading; ocean freight is the buyer's.
- CFR
- The seller pays freight to the destination port; risk passes at the port of loading.
- CIF
- As CFR, plus the seller insures the cargo for the sea voyage.
- DAP
- The seller delivers to the named destination; import clearance is the buyer's.
Frequently asked questions
Do goods come to Türkiye in transit trade?
Not necessarily. In most deals the goods are shipped directly from the origin country to the buyer's country. When needed, they can be transshipped through a Turkish port, free zone or bonded warehouse under the transit or warehousing procedure.
How is transit trade different from export?
In export, goods in free circulation in Türkiye are sold abroad. In transit trade, goods are bought abroad and sold abroad again without being imported into Türkiye.
Which payment methods do you work with?
Depending on the deal size and the parties, we use common international methods such as advance payment, cash against documents and letters of credit. The method is agreed in writing at the offer stage.
What information do you need for a quote?
Product name or code, technical specs, quantity, destination country and city, the required Incoterm (FOB, CIF etc.) and the target delivery date. A specification sheet or sample photo speeds things up.
Do you handle small orders?
It depends on the product group and the manufacturer's minimum order quantity. Send your request and we will state the lowest workable quantity in our offer.
How do you comply with sanctions and export controls?
For every deal we assess the product, the parties and the destination against applicable foreign trade law, export control and sanctions rules. We do not accept non-compliant transactions.