The United Kingdom is one of Turkey's most important non-EU trading partners, with bilateral trade exceeding £15 billion annually. Since Brexit in January 2021, the Turkey–UK trade relationship has operated under a bilateral free trade agreement (signed December 2020), replacing the previous EU Customs Union framework. KEY Forwarding provides post-Brexit compliant freight forwarding for Turkish exporters and UK importers, managing all customs documentation on both sides.
Turkey–UK After Brexit: What Changed
Pre-Brexit, Turkish goods entered the UK under the EU Customs Union terms — no import duty on most industrial goods, streamlined customs. Post-Brexit, UK importers now need an EORI (Economic Operator Registration and Identification) number, and all shipments require a formal UK customs import declaration via HMRC's Customs Declaration Service (CDS). Duties under the UK–Turkey free trade agreement remain at 0% for eligible industrial goods, but the administrative process is more complex. Our customs experts manage this for you.
Road Freight via Dover and Eurotunnel
The primary road route is Istanbul → Kapikule → Balkans → Belgium → France → Calais/Dover ferry or Eurotunnel → UK. Transit to London: approximately 7–10 business days. Manchester and Birmingham: 8–10 days. The Dover–Calais channel crossing typically adds 4–6 hours including port procedures. Our TIR trucks have pre-registered with UK GVTS (Goods Vehicle Movement Service) for seamless border clearance.
Air Freight: Istanbul–Heathrow
Istanbul Airport (IST) has multiple daily flights to London Heathrow (LHR) and Gatwick (LGW). Air freight transit: 1–2 business days. Suitable for high-value goods, urgent consignments, and perishables. Our air freight team manages Turkish customs export, UK customs import via Heathrow and Manchester Airport customs facilities, and door-to-door delivery across the UK.
UK Customs: EORI, CDS, and Rules of Origin
For UK importers buying from Turkey post-Brexit:
EORI number: Required for all UK importers. Apply via HMRC if not already registered.
CDS declaration: Import customs declaration must be filed before or upon arrival of goods at the UK port of entry.
Rules of Origin: To claim 0% preferential tariff under the UK–Turkey FTA, goods must meet origin requirements. A EUR.1 certificate or origin declaration on the invoice is required.
Post-Brexit Documentation Checklist
Required documents for Turkey–UK shipments: commercial invoice, packing list, CMR consignment note or AWB, EUR.1 preferential origin certificate (for FTA tariff), UK import customs declaration (MRN), UK importer EORI number. For food/agricultural products: additional UK Border Force import health certificate (IHC) may be required.
Freight Rates 2026
FTL road freight Istanbul–London: approximately €3,200–5,500 per truck. LTL groupage: €250–370 per ldm. Air freight: from €3.50–6.50 per kg (all-in) depending on volume and urgency. Sea FCL via Rotterdam–Felixstowe: $2,000–3,200 per 20' container. Contact us for firm quotes.
Get a Post-Brexit Turkey–UK Quote
KEY Forwarding handles the full Turkey–UK freight process including Turkish export customs, transit through Europe, channel crossing, and UK import customs. Contact our team for a competitive quote.