Houston – Turkey vehicle transport
Permanent return, relocation or a car purchase – we ship vehicles from Houston to Turkey in enclosed containers. Usually 17–30 days port to port, 5–10 weeks including customs and delivery.
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At a glance
- Origin
- HoustonUSA
- Distance to Turkey
- ~10,290 km to Istanbulstraight line; the sea route is longer
- Typical transit
- 5–10 weeksdoor to door; 17–30 days port to port
- Transport method
- Enclosed container (by sea)
- Nearby container ports
- Houston (~10 km), Savannah (~1,380 km)
- Arrival ports in Turkey
- Ambarlı (Istanbul), Izmir and Mersin
- Pickup areas
- Sugar Land, Katy, The Woodlands, Pearland, Pasadena, Galveston
The distances above are straight-line estimates. Actual timing depends on the pickup day, destination and season, and is confirmed in your quote.
Houston and Turkey
Houston has Texas's largest Turkish community and one of the busiest ports in the US.
Many customers in Houston send the car to Turkey at the start of summer and bring it back at the end; those returning for good usually book one way. We can also collect from places around Houston such as Sugar Land, Katy, The Woodlands, Pearland.
Container shipping from Houston
Inland transport to the port
Your vehicle travels from the Houston area to the export port by truck. The nearest port is Houston (~10 km), which has sailings towards the Mediterranean.
For Houston, we arrange pickup and inland transport to the port on request and confirm availability and price in writing in your quote.
Ocean transit
The vehicle is secured inside an enclosed container and the container is sealed. Port-to-port transit usually takes 17–30 days; arrival ports in Turkey are Ambarlı (Istanbul), Izmir and Mersin. On arrival we hand the vehicle over to your customs broker; customs and inland delivery can take 1–3 weeks.
DetailsPaperwork and customs
What to do in the USA:
- U.S. Customs and Border Protection requires the original title and export documents to be presented at the port at least 72 hours before export.
- From Turkey to the USA, a vehicle generally needs to be at least 25 years old for the standard exemption.
- In Turkey, duty-free import is only possible for vehicles under 3 years old with definitive-return status.
For temporary import, stay limits and exemptions on the Turkish side, see our Turkey customs guide.
From Turkey back to Houston
Shipping the other way, from Turkey to Houston, is possible too – but North American age rules (generally 15 years for Canada, 25 for the USA) decide whether it works.
Frequently asked questions
How long does container shipping between Houston and Turkey take?
Port to port usually takes 17–30 days, plus about 1–3 weeks for customs and inland delivery – so 5–10 weeks door to door.
Which port does a car from Houston ship from?
The nearest port is Houston. For Mediterranean sailings an East Coast port such as Houston may be used; we confirm the port in your quote.
Which areas around Houston do you collect from?
We collect in Houston and the surrounding area, including Sugar Land, Katy, The Woodlands, Pearland, Pasadena, Galveston. If your address isn't listed, ask via the quote form and we'll confirm.
Can you ship any vehicle?
Age rules depend on the direction. In Turkey, duty-free import is only possible for vehicles under 3 years old with definitive-return status; entering Canada a vehicle generally needs to be at least 15 years old, entering the USA at least 25.
Can a non-running car go in a container?
In most cases yes, with the right equipment. Tell us the condition when you ask for a quote.
Other cities in USA
Our other city pages near Houston (straight line): Austin (~240 km), Dallas–Fort Worth (~360 km), Atlanta (~1,130 km), Albuquerque (~1,210 km).
Ready to ship your vehicle?
Send us your route and vehicle, and we'll get back to you with a firm price.