Turkey is one of Iran’s main export markets and the road gateway to Europe. This guide covers which borders cargo uses, how long transport takes, and what to prepare before loading.
Iran–Turkey border crossings
- Bazargan – Gürbulak: the main and busiest freight crossing, part of the road corridor between Iran and Europe.
- Razi – Kapıköy: a north-western crossing also used for cargo bound for eastern and central Turkey.
- Sero – Esendere: a crossing in West Azarbaijan province leading to south-eastern Turkey.
Artam Tir’s head office is in Marand, on the main road from Tabriz to Bazargan, which lets us follow up border issues quickly and in person.
How long does it take?
Under normal conditions, transport from north-west Iran to Istanbul takes about 5–7 days. Actual times depend on border queues, season, public holidays in both countries, the type of goods and clearance at destination. At times, including recent months, long truck queues have been reported at Gürbulak, so allow extra time for urgent shipments.
Onward to Europe
Most cargo bound for Europe follows the same corridor: after Turkey it enters Bulgaria and the EU at Kapıkule. Transport to Germany typically takes about 12–16 days. See the routes on our interactive map.
Documents
You will usually need a commercial invoice, packing list, export declaration, CMR consignment note and, under the TIR procedure, a TIR Carnet. Turkey and the EU states are parties to the CMR Convention. Some goods also need a certificate of origin, health certificate or other permits. See the full list in Documents you need for road freight from Iran.
Full truckload or groupage?
If your cargo fills a trailer, full truckload (FTL) is faster and keeps the goods sealed from origin to destination. For smaller loads, groupage lowers the cost. Read FTL vs groupage for details.
Tips to avoid delays
- Complete and check documents before the truck reaches the border.
- Plan around Nowruz and Turkish public holidays.
- Use refrigerated transport for temperature-sensitive goods and allow for border queues.
- Insure your cargo and agree on cover before departure.
- Work with a carrier that tells you when your cargo crosses each border.