Import Cargo Service from South Africa to Turkey
- 1 day ago
- 4 min read
Air Cargo Transportation from South Africa to Türkiye
Air freight is one of the fastest and safest transportation methods for commercial cargo, samples, spare parts, machinery components, textile products, electronic equipment and urgent shipments from South Africa to Türkiye.
Depending on the shipment details, we can provide:
Airport-to-airport air freight
Door-to-airport transportation
Airport-to-door delivery
Complete door-to-door service
Express courier services through UPS, FedEx or DHL
Import customs clearance support in Türkiye
Pickup services throughout South Africa
Domestic delivery services within Türkiye
The most suitable service is determined according to the cargo type, dimensions, weight, delivery deadline and customs requirements.
Main Airports in South Africa
The primary departure airports used for air cargo shipments from South Africa are:
Johannesburg – O.R. Tambo International Airport (JNB): South Africa’s main international air cargo hub and generally the most suitable departure point for commercial shipments.
Cape Town International Airport (CPT): Suitable for cargo originating from Cape Town and the Western Cape region.
Durban – King Shaka International Airport (DUR): Commonly used for shipments originating from Durban and KwaZulu-Natal.
Gqeberha – Chief Dawid Stuurman International Airport (PLZ): An alternative option for shipments originating from the Eastern Cape region.
Some shipments may first be transported domestically to Johannesburg and then dispatched internationally from JNB.
Main Arrival Airports in Türkiye
The main arrival airports for cargo imported into Türkiye are:
Istanbul Airport (IST): The primary international air cargo gateway in Türkiye.
Istanbul Sabiha Gökçen Airport (SAW): An alternative option depending on the airline and service availability.
Ankara Esenboğa Airport (ESB)
İzmir Adnan Menderes Airport (ADB)
Antalya Airport (AYT)
For most commercial shipments, Istanbul Airport is the preferred arrival point due to its extensive airline network, customs facilities and domestic distribution connections.
Estimated Transit Time
Estimated transit times may vary according to the selected service:
Airport-to-airport: Approximately 2–5 days
Door-to-airport: Approximately 3–7 days
Door-to-door: Approximately 5–10 days
Express courier service: Approximately 3–7 business days
Transit times depend on airline schedules, flight availability, customs procedures, cargo type and the pickup and delivery locations.
Required Documents
The following documents are generally required for imports from South Africa to Türkiye:
Commercial Invoice
Packing List
Air Waybill
Certificate of Origin, if required
HS/GTIP code
Detailed commodity description
Importer’s company and tax information
MSDS for chemical or potentially hazardous products
Health, conformity or analysis certificates for regulated products
Additional permits or certificates depending on the commodity
Documentation requirements must be checked before shipment, especially for food products, cosmetics, chemicals, medical products, batteries and other controlled goods.
Chargeable Weight Calculation
Air freight charges are calculated based on the greater of the actual gross weight and the volumetric weight.
The common volumetric-weight formula is:
Length × Width × Height (cm) ÷ 6,000
Example:
A package measuring 100 × 80 × 70 cm has a volumetric weight of:
100 × 80 × 70 ÷ 6,000 = 93.33 kg
If the actual weight is 70 kg, the shipment may be charged based on the volumetric weight of approximately 93.5 kg. The airline’s applicable calculation factor must always be confirmed before booking.
Import Customs Clearance in Türkiye
When the shipment arrives in Türkiye, the importer or its appointed customs broker must complete the import customs clearance procedures.
Customs duties, VAT and other charges depend on:
HS/GTIP code
Country of origin
Declared customs value
Commodity type
Applicable permits and regulations
Freight and insurance costs
The commercial invoice must show an accurate and acceptable value. Even sample shipments should normally have a reasonable customs value for declaration purposes.
Dangerous and Restricted Goods
The following products may require special approval, documentation, packaging or additional charges:
Lithium batteries
Chemicals
Perfumes and cosmetics
Aerosols
Flammable liquids
Medical products
Food and agricultural products
Products containing gas or pressurised components
For dangerous goods, the MSDS must be reviewed before quotation and booking. A Dangerous Goods Declaration and IATA-compliant packaging may also be required.
Information Required for a Quotation
Please provide the following information to receive an accurate quotation:
Complete commodity description
HS/GTIP code, if available
Number and type of packages
Dimensions of each package
Gross weight of each package
Total shipment weight
Pickup address in South Africa
Delivery address in Türkiye
Commercial invoice value
Incoterm
Ready date
MSDS, if applicable
Battery, liquid, chemical or dangerous-goods information
Frequently Asked Questions
How long does air cargo transportation from South Africa to Türkiye take?
Airport-to-airport transportation usually takes approximately 2–5 days. Complete door-to-door service may take approximately 5–10 days, depending on customs procedures and flight availability.
Which South African airport is most suitable for air cargo?
Johannesburg O.R. Tambo International Airport (JNB) is generally the main and most suitable air cargo hub. Cape Town (CPT) and Durban (DUR) may also be used depending on the cargo’s location.
Is door-to-door service available?
Yes. Depending on the commodity and destination, pickup in South Africa, air freight, customs-clearance coordination and final delivery in Türkiye can be arranged.
Are customs duties included in the freight price?
Customs duties, VAT, storage and official customs charges are generally excluded unless a complete DDP service is specifically quoted and confirmed.
Can commercial samples be imported?
Yes. However, the invoice should include a reasonable customs value even when the goods have no commercial sales purpose. The description may state: “Sample – Not for Resale.”
Can dangerous goods be transported?
Dangerous goods can be accepted subject to the MSDS, UN number, dangerous-goods class, packing group, quantity, packaging method and airline approval.
Can small shipments be sent by courier?
Yes. Small shipments may be transported through express courier companies such as UPS, FedEx or DHL when the commodity is suitable for courier transportation.
Which weight is used for pricing?
The greater of the actual gross weight and the volumetric weight is normally used as the chargeable weight.
Contact Us for a Quotation
For a competitive air cargo import quotation from South Africa to Türkiye, please share your packing list, commercial invoice, package dimensions, gross weight, commodity description, pickup address and delivery address.
GK Han Logistics can assist with suitable air freight, express courier and door-to-door transportation solutions according to your shipment requirements.
