Shipping an electric vehicle from the USA to Turkey is very different from shipping a gasoline car. You are dealing with high‑voltage batteries, dangerous‑goods (DG) documentation, and Turkish customs rules that are still evolving for EVs. A missed step can mean weeks of delay or even a refused booking.
This checklist walks through everything to do before your EV reaches the port. It is designed as a practical companion to West Coast Shipping’s main guide on shipping electric vehicles to Turkey and the Turkey country page, which cover taxes, routes, and overall process in more detail.
This checklist is informational only, not legal or tax advice. Always follow the carrier’s written requirements and your customs broker’s instructions for your specific shipment.
Before touching the car, confirm that you can export and import this EV.
Locate the original title in the name of the shipper (or with correct transfer documentation if recently purchased).
Confirm there are no open liens, or get a notarized lienholder release if the vehicle is financed.
Make sure the VIN on the title, vehicle, and any bill of sale match exactly (no transposed digits).
For the U.S. side, West Coast Shipping’s USA–Turkey process guide explains how title and ownership affect export clearance and AES filing.
Decide who will appear as importer in Turkey: resident, returning expatriate, company, or non‑resident with temporary status.
Confirm with your Turkey‑side broker whether your EV fits the intended scheme (permanent import, temporary “blue plate” guest registration, or other) and whether there are restrictions on:
Vehicle age.
Left‑hand vs right‑hand drive.
Salvage/previous damage history.
The Turkey country page and WCS’s article on moving to Turkey with your vehicle give a high‑level overview of these routes, while your broker confirms the current rules.
Have these ready in digital form (PDF/photos) before you request a quote:
Title (front and back).
Photo ID for the shipper (passport or driver’s license).
Purchase invoice / bill of sale (even if you bought the EV some time ago).
Any existing registration documents (helpful for Turkish authorities).
West Coast Shipping will ask for these early in the process so they can check for red flags before scheduling pickup.
Battery status and DG classification are where most EV shipments get slowed down. Getting this right up front saves time later.
Identify the battery chemistry (most modern EVs use lithium‑ion).
Record key specs from the owner’s manual or OEM data:
Total kWh capacity.
Nominal voltage.
Whether there is any auxiliary 12V battery and where it is located.
This information feeds into the dangerous‑goods declaration and helps the carrier confirm the correct UN entry under the current IMDG Code.
With IMDG Amendment 42‑24 coming into force, carriers increasingly classify complete lithium‑ion EVs under UN 3556 – Vehicle, lithium ion battery powered, with related entries for other chemistries. As explained in WCS’s complete EV shipping guide, classification is a mix of code rules and carrier policy.
Before you ship:
Ask your WCS coordinator to confirm the expected UN number and IMDG amendment in force for your sailing.
If your EV is modified, damaged, or salvaged, discuss this early—carriers may apply stricter rules or require extra documentation.
Most ocean carriers now expect shippers to be able to provide a UN 38.3 test summary for the traction battery pack upon request. In practice:
The test summary is usually held by the vehicle manufacturer or battery OEM.
You may obtain it via:
OEM technical or fleet support channels.
Dealer support, for some brands.
Corporate/fleet portals for business vehicles.
You do not usually need to attach the full test report to every shipment, but you should:
Confirm that a compliant test summary exists.
Have a plan for how to produce it if a carrier’s DG desk or Turkish authorities ask for it during screening.
The wrong charge level or a “borderline” condition can trigger a DG rejection. Treat SOC and condition as core pre‑shipment tasks, not afterthoughts.
Aviation rules for standalone lithium‑ion batteries (UN 3480) impose a 30% SOC cap, and many ocean carriers adopt similar 30%‑ish targets for EVs as an internal safety standard. The main EV guide on shipping electric vehicles to Turkey and WCS’s global EV shipping safety guide both stress this point.
Before drop‑off or pickup:
Ask your WCS coordinator for the carrier’s SOC requirement range (for example, 20–40%).
Plan your driving and charging so the EV arrives at the terminal inside that band.
Take a clear photo of the dashboard showing SOC, odometer, and date/time when you hand over the vehicle.
This protects you in case there is a dispute later about the car’s condition or whether it met carrier rules at the time of receipt.
Even though EVs don’t carry large fuel tanks, carriers and ports are extremely cautious about:
Battery‑pack damage (visible deformation, scrapes, or corrosion).
Underbody damage in the area of the battery.
Evidence of prior fire, flood, or structural repairs.
Before the vehicle leaves your possession:
Walk around the EV, including under the sills where possible, and photograph all sides, wheels, and underbody.
Note any existing dents or paint defects on a printed checklist or on WCS’s condition report at pickup.
If you know of prior accident or flood damage near the battery, discuss it with WCS in advance—some carriers will not load high‑risk vehicles.
Turkish customs and carriers both expect a clean, de‑personalized vehicle with no undeclared cargo. This reduces seizure risk and speeds inspections.
Remove all personal items, including loose electronics, clothing, tools, and non‑OEM accessories.
Take out portable charging cables and adapters you do not want to ship inside the car; your WCS coordinator can advise whether they should travel in the cabin or separately packed.
Vacuum the interior; wipe down surfaces so photos clearly show condition for protection and customs.
Carriers and customs can treat personal effects as undeclared cargo; keeping the EV empty aligns with best practice shown in WCS’s international process guide.
Rinse and wash the exterior so that port inspectors can see VIN plates, bodywork, and underbody without obstruction.
Ensure the VIN label on the windshield or A‑pillar is readable; clean the metal VIN plate in the door jamb if present.
Some countries require cleanliness for biosecurity reasons; while Turkey is less strict than some markets, a clean EV still reduces inspection friction.
When shipping to Turkey, West Coast Shipping typically uses shared or dedicated containers via Istanbul, as described on the Turkey country page. Good pre‑shipment preparation makes loading smoother:
Set the parking brake and place the car in “Park”.
Turn off all accessory power and infotainment; disable “camp mode” or similar features that keep systems running.
Fold mirrors and, if ground clearance is low, note this for the team so they can use ramps and blocks appropriately.
The EV shipping best‑practices article on global EV shipping safety explains how proper securing reduces vibration and battery‑pack stress during long ocean transit.
A key cause of delay is mismatched paperwork—for example, different values on the bill of sale and commercial invoice, or a missing DG statement.
Ensure the declared value on your commercial invoice, sales contract, and WCS booking aligns with realistic market values; large discrepancies can trigger Turkish valuation audits.
Confirm that the seller/buyer names on the invoice match the parties on the title and the party appearing as shipper/importer.
The Turkey duties & VAT guide shows how Turkish customs use vehicle value to calculate duty, ÖTV, and VAT; clean documentation makes that process smoother.
Depending on carrier policy and the IMDG amendment in force, you may need:
A dangerous‑goods declaration (DGD) referencing the correct UN entry (for example, UN 3556) and any applicable special provisions.
A statement confirming that the EV is free from damage that could affect the battery or electrical systems.
Confirmation that UN 38.3 testing has been completed and a test summary is available.
West Coast Shipping will coordinate with the ocean carrier’s DG desk and tell you exactly what they need from you; the EV‑specific article on Turkey EV shipping explains how this fits into the broader process.
Your Turkey‑side broker may request ahead of arrival:
Title and authenticated copy.
Passport/ID and Turkish tax number for the importer.
Power of attorney for the broker.
Sales invoice and any freight invoice from WCS.
Technical data or homologation documents if requested.
Having this ready before the EV leaves the USA will help you avoid storage and demurrage at Istanbul on arrival.
A good pre‑shipment checklist ties into realistic timing, not just documentation.
The Turkey country page and WCS’s article on Turkey car shipping timelines outline typical phases:
2–3 weeks for export preparation (pickup, export clearance, container loading).
Around 25–35 days on water from East Coast/Gulf ports and 35–45 days from West Coast ports, as a planning range.
1–2 weeks for arrival handling, customs, and delivery after discharge.
Before you schedule transport:
Confirm cut‑off dates for the target vessel.
Book inland transport in time for the EV to arrive, be inspected, and be loaded without last‑minute rush.
For high‑value EVs, covered/enclosed transport to the port is often worth the extra cost. WCS’s general international car shipping guide explains why enclosed carriers and careful ramp angles matter for low, heavy EVs.
Documentation first: Clear title, aligned invoices, and early broker engagement reduce customs and DG surprises.
Battery and DG compliance: Correct UN classification, UN 38.3 test summary availability, and carrier‑approved SOC are non‑negotiable for 2026 EV exports.
Plan around Turkey‑specific rules: High ÖTV, VAT, and possible additional financial obligations mean you should get a broker‑confirmed tax estimate before you commit to shipping.
For the full cost and tax structure, use the main article on shipping electric vehicles to Turkey as your baseline.
If you want help reviewing your EV’s readiness before booking:
Start with the Turkey country page to see methods, transit expectations, and port options.
Then use the main guide on shipping electric vehicles to Turkey to understand taxes and DG rules.
From there, West Coast Shipping can walk through your specific EV, documents, and timeline and turn this checklist into a shipment‑ready plan tailored to your route.