What are the border crossings between Turkey and Greece for trucks?

The main road crossings are Ipsala (Turkey) / Kipi (Greece) on the Thrace highway, and Pazarkule / Kastanies. Ipsala–Kipi is preferred for commercial vehicles due to better infrastructure and shorter queues.

Is sea freight available between Turkey and Greece?

Yes. Regular RoRo and container services operate between Istanbul/Ambarlı and Piraeus (Athens). Transit is 1–2 days by sea and is a competitive alternative to road for Athens-area deliveries or island freight.

What customs rules apply to Turkey–Greece freight?

Greece is an EU member state. Goods covered by the Turkey–EU Customs Union move duty-free with an A.TR movement certificate. All imports into Greece require a Greek customs entry declaration and VAT clearance.

Turkey Greece Shipping | Road & Sea Freight Turkey

Turkey and Greece share a land border in Thrace and are separated by short sea distances in the Aegean. The two countries have significant trade ties, particularly in textiles, machinery, food products and construction materials. KEY Forwarding provides both road and sea freight services on this corridor, letting you choose the optimal mode based on cargo type, destination and budget.

Road vs Sea Options

Road freight via the Ipsala–Kipi crossing is best for time-sensitive shipments, door-to-door service to mainland Greece, and cargo that is not suitable for maritime handling (fragile goods, just-in-time deliveries). Transit time Istanbul–Athens is 1–2 business days by road.
Sea freight via Istanbul–Piraeus suits high-volume, non-urgent cargo, island destinations, and containerised shipments. RoRo and FCL/LCL services transit in 1–2 days. Sea can also be more economical for heavy cargo.

Ipsala and Kipi Border Crossings

The Ipsala (Turkey) / Kipi (Greece) crossing on the E90 highway is the primary commercial vehicle crossing. It operates 24/7 and handles TIR and CMR shipments. Border waiting times are typically 1–4 hours for commercial vehicles. Pazarkule / Kastanies is an alternative but less suitable for heavy trucks.

Sea Freight: Istanbul–Piraeus

Regular RoRo (roll-on/roll-off) services operate from Istanbul/Ambarlı to Piraeus, the main port of Athens. Transit: approximately 18–24 hours at sea. This option is excellent for trailers, trade plates vehicles and containerised cargo destined for Athens, other mainland Greek ports or Aegean islands (via onward feeder). Container (FCL/LCL) services are also available via the Mersin–Piraeus route.

Customs at EU Entry (Greece)

Greece is an EU member state. Turkish goods entering Greece require an EU import customs declaration. Under the Turkey–EU Customs Union, most manufactured goods are duty-free with an A.TR certificate. Non-Customs Union goods (agriculture, processed food) are subject to EU tariffs. Our customs team manages Turkish export formalities and coordinates with Greek customs agents.

Rates 2026

Road FTL Istanbul–Athens: approximately €900–1,500. LTL groupage: €100–170 per ldm. Sea RoRo (per trailer): €700–1,200 depending on vessel operator and season. Contact us for a tailored quote.

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KEY Forwarding handles Turkey–Greece freight door-to-door. Whether you need a single pallet or a full truck, road or sea, we have a solution. Contact us now.

Turkey to Greece Shipping: Road Freight and Sea Routes