Thinking about UK to Turkey car imports? You’re not alone. Every year, hundreds of British drivers, expats, and car buyers ask the very same questions: What are the rules? How much will I pay in taxes? Which shipping method is right for me? And is it even worth it?
At Ascope Shipping, we’ve been handling international vehicle shipping from the UK for over 15 years. We’ve seen every scenario, from someone relocating to Istanbul with a family 4×4 to a British retiree shipping a classic to the Aegean coast for the summer.
Can You Import a Car from the UK to Turkey?
Yes, and it’s more simple than most people expect, provided you understand which route applies to you. There are two very different pathways: temporary import and permanent import. Getting this wrong is where most people run into costly problems, so let’s clear it up straight away.
Temporary vs Permanent UK to Turkey Car Import — Know the Difference First
Temporary Import (The Most Popular Route)
If you’re spending extended time in Turkey for a holiday, a seasonal stay, or as an expat coming and going, temporary import is almost certainly the right route for you. Under Turkish Customs Law, foreign nationals can bring their UK-registered vehicle into Turkey without paying import taxes, provided they meet the eligibility conditions.
Here’s what temporary import means in practice:
- Your vehicle can stay in Turkey for up to 730 days (two years)
- You must have spent at least 185 days outside Turkey in the previous 12 months, this is the well-known “185-day rule.
- The car is for your personal use only. It cannot be rented, sold, or handed to a Turkish resident
- The vehicle must be exported before the 730 days expire, no extensions are available
- Turkish citizens and dual nationals are not eligible for tax-free temporary import, regardless of where they live
You’ll receive a YTGGK (Yabancı Taşıtlar Geçici Giriş Kartı), the official temporary entry permit for foreign vehicles, when your car arrives at the Turkish port or border crossing.
Permanent Import
Permanently importing a UK car into Turkey is an entirely different matter. It’s legally possible, but the Turkish tax system makes it genuinely expensive for most vehicles. You’ll pay the full stack of Turkish import taxes, pass a mandatory technical inspection, and register the car with the Turkish Traffic Department to receive Turkish number plates.
What Taxes Do You Pay When Importing a Car to Turkey from the UK?
This is the question that surprises people most. Turkey applies three layers of tax on permanently imported vehicles, and they stack on top of each other:
Customs Duty — 10%
This is the base rate applied to the declared value of your vehicle. Turkey aligns with the EU common external tariff for most passenger cars, setting customs duty at 10%.
Special Consumption Tax (ÖTV) — 45% to 220%
The ÖTV is the big one, and it’s calculated on the vehicle value after customs duty has already been added. The rate depends entirely on engine size:
| Engine Size | ÖTV Rate |
| Up to 1,600cc | 45% |
| 1,600cc – 2,000cc | 145% |
| Over 2,000cc | 220% |
VAT (KDV) — 20%
Turkey’s 20% VAT is then applied on top of the customs duty and ÖTV combined. Yes, it really does compound like that.
A Real Cost in 2026
Let’s put real numbers on this. Say you’re permanently importing a £15,000 Ford Focus with a 1.5-liter engine:
- Customs duty (10% of £15,000) = £1,500 → Running total: £16,500
- ÖTV (45% of £16,500) = £7,425 → Running total: £23,925
- VAT/KDV (20% of £23,925) = £4,785
- Total tax bill: £13,710
The car that cost you £15,000 in the UK effectively lands at around £28,710 before shipping costs, port fees, and registration. Now you can see why people ask whether it’s actually worth importing a car from the UK to Turkey, for larger-engine vehicles, especially, it often isn’t.
For temporary import, all of these taxes are suspended as long as you comply with the rules and export the car on time.
Documents Needed to UK to Turkey Car Import
Whether you’re doing a temporary or permanent import, paperwork matters. Here’s exactly what you’ll need:
UK Export Side:
- UK V5C (vehicle registration certificate)
- Valid passport
- Purchase invoice (if the vehicle was recently bought)
- Export declaration
Turkish Customs — Temporary Import:
- Valid passport
- UK V5C / vehicle registration document
- Valid UK driving license + International Driving Permit (IDP)
- Proof of insurance valid in Turkey
- Bill of Lading from your shipping company
- YTGGK application (processed on arrival at the port)
Turkish Customs — Permanent Import (Additional):
- Customs declaration form
- Turkish residency documentation
- Approved customs broker — required by Turkish law for sea imports
Missing even one document can delay your car at the port and cost you demurrage fees. The team at Ascope Shipping walks every customer through the full document checklist before a single thing moves.
UK to Turkey Car Shipping Process
Here’s how the process works from start to finish when you ship with Ascope Shipping:
Step 1: Choose your shipping method (RoRo or container)
Step 2: Get your quote from Ascope Shipping with full cost transparency
Step 3: Book your shipment and confirm your sailing date
Step 4: Vehicle collection or port drop-off
Step 5: UK export customs clearance
Step 6: Your car sails to Turkey
Step 7: Turkish customs clearance
Step 8: Collect your vehicle
RoRo vs Container Shipping UK to Turkey: Which Is Right for You?
When it comes to the physical UK to Turkey car import, you’ll choose between two proven methods:
RoRo Shipping — Best Value, Most Popular
Roll-on/Roll-off is exactly what it sounds like: your car is driven onto a purpose-built vessel, secured with straps and wheel chocks on the vehicle deck, and driven off at the destination port. It’s the cheapest way to ship a car from the UK to Turkey and perfect for any standard road-going vehicle.
- Cost: from around £800 to £1,200 for a standard car
- Transit time: approximately 10 to 15 days to Izmit (Autoport) near Istanbul
- Important: no personal belongings permitted inside the vehicle
- Best for: everyday cars, SUVs, vans in good running condition
Container Shipping — Maximum Protection
Your car is loaded into a sealed 20ft or 40ft steel container, fully protected from weather, salt air, and port handling throughout the entire journey. This is the preferred method for high-value, classic, or non-running vehicles.
- Cost: from around £1,500 to £3,000 depending on container size and route
- Best for: luxury cars, classic vehicles, non-runners, or if you need to include personal items
Ascope Shipping operates weekly sailings for both RoRo and container shipping UK to Turkey, departing from Southampton, Tilbury, Sheerness, and Liverpool, giving you flexible options regardless of where you’re based in the UK.
UK to Turkey Car Import Routes — Ports and Transit Times
Departing from the UK: Southampton · Tilbury (London) · Sheerness · Liverpool · Immingham
Arriving in Turkey:
| Turkish Port | Location | Transit Time |
| Izmit (Autoport) | Near Istanbul | 10 to 15 days |
| Izmir | Aegean coast | 20 to 30 days |
| Mersin | Mediterranean coast | 25 to 30 days |
Is It Worth Importing a Car from the UK to Turkey?
For temporary import: Almost always yes. UK cars tend to be well-maintained and competitively priced. Bringing your own vehicle means comfort, familiarity, and no rental costs for extended stays.
For permanent import: It depends on engine size. Small-engine cars (under 1,600cc) may still represent reasonable value after taxes. Anything with an engine over 2,000cc faces an ÖTV rate of 220%, making the total tax burden eye-watering. In many cases, buying locally in Turkey works out cheaper once you run the numbers.
What happens if my car overstays in Turkey?
Turkish customs can impose heavy fines, immobilise the vehicle, and pursue full retrospective import tax recovery. In serious cases, the car can be seized. Track your 730-day limit carefully and plan your exit well in advance.
What is the cheapest way to ship a car from the UK to Turkey?
RoRo shipping is the cheapest option, with prices starting from £800. It is ideal for standard running vehicles and offers transit times of 10–15 days.
Why Ship with Ascope Shipping?
With 15+ years of experience shipping vehicles from the UK to destinations worldwide, including Turkey, Ascope Shipping is one of the most trusted names in British vehicle export. Here’s what you get when you ship with us:
- Honest, transparent pricing with no hidden fees
- Door-to-port collection anywhere in the UK
- Full UK export customs clearance handled for you
- Weekly sailings to multiple Turkish ports
- RoRo and container shipping options to suit every vehicle and budget
- Marine insurance options for complete peace of mind
- Real people, real answers: call or WhatsApp us anytime
- Verified 5-star reviews on Trustpilot and Google
Ready to ship your car from the UK to Turkey
Get in touch today for UK to Turkey car imports in 2026. Whether you’re transporting a family hatchback, luxury saloon, or commercial vehicle, Ascope Shipping delivers secure, reliable, and cost-effective solutions tailored to your needs. With proven routes and expert handling, your vehicle is in safe hands. Get your free UK to Turkey car shipping quote in just 60 seconds or call us today at 01482 228366
