Shipping a motorcycle to Turkey is very doable—but it is not as simple as rolling the bike onto a ship and hoping for the best. Turkey’s strict vehicle‑import regime, U.S. export rules, and the need to keep your bike safe in transit all have to be managed carefully.
West Coast Shipping moves vehicles and motorcycles in containers to Istanbul and other Turkish ports, coordinating export paperwork, loading, and destination handling for Turkey‑bound shipments. Its dedicated page for international motorcycle shipping rates explains how cost, method, and destination charges fit together and provides a calculator for live pricing.
This guide covers:
Motorcycle Shipping 101: how the process to Turkey works
Turkey’s customs & import regulations for motorcycles: temporary vs permanent entry and taxes
Protecting your motorcycle shipment: packing, documentation, and extra damage protection
Use it alongside West Coast Shipping’s broader Turkey vehicle import guides and motorcycle resources when planning your move.
The basic steps to send a motorcycle from the U.S. to Turkey mirror car shipping, with bike‑specific handling and crating layered on top.
Turkey‑focused content shows that motorcycles usually move by enclosed container or, in special cases, by air.
Container shipping (most common for Turkey)
For standard Turkey shipments, container service is the default:
Your motorcycle is secured inside a steel container, often on a skid or within a crate, then strapped with wheel chocks and soft ties.
Shared containers (consolidations) group several vehicles and bikes, lowering individual costs.
Dedicated containers are used when a higher‑value collection or multiple bikes travel together.
Container shipping to Istanbul offers a practical balance of cost, timing, and protection for most riders.
Want more detail on the nuts and bolts of the process? Read our guide on Motorcycle Shipping 101: How to Send Your Bike to Turkey for a clear, step‑by‑step walkthrough from your garage to Istanbul.
Air freight (premium but fast)
West Coast Shipping’s air‑freight overview notes that air is typically reserved for time‑critical or particularly valuable vehicles and motorcycles. It offers:
Faster transit (often one to two weeks door‑to‑door).
Significantly higher freight charges than ocean.
Tighter crating and dimensional requirements.
Most private owners shipping to Turkey prefer ocean containers unless timing is absolutely critical.
Turkey car‑shipping guides and international motorcycle pages both emphasize that pricing depends on origin, timing, method, and consolidation.
As of early 2026, recent West Coast Shipping quote examples for shared‑container motorcycle lanes from U.S. East and Gulf Coast ports to Istanbul indicate that:
Per‑motorcycle ocean freight often falls somewhere in the mid‑$3,000s for many East/Gulf Coast origins in shared containers.
On‑water transit times are typically in the 25–36 day range, depending on which U.S. port you use and the specific vessel schedule.
These figures are internal benchmarks meant to illustrate the order of magnitude for common lanes; they are not fixed tariffs and are subject to change with sailing schedules, fuel, and consolidation timing. The international motorcycle shipping rates page and live quote tools remain the authoritative source for current, lane‑specific pricing.
On top of ocean freight, you should budget for:
U.S. pickup or your own delivery to the warehouse.
Crating or skid fees, where needed.
Destination handling and local agent charges.
Turkey customs‑broker fees, duties, and taxes.
Turkey vehicle‑shipping guides and motorcycle articles outline a consistent “101” process.
Use the rate tools on the international motorcycle shipping rates page to model your origin–Istanbul route and pick between shared container or other options.
Compare likely departures and transit times; Turkey pages note regular container consolidations into Istanbul.
Vehicle and relocation guides for Turkey recommend similar prep steps:
Clean the motorcycle thoroughly (including underside) to avoid agricultural issues.
Reduce fuel to about a quarter tank or less.
Turn off or secure alarms and GPS trackers.
Remove loose accessories and personal items.
Check for leaks and clear mechanical problems that might interfere with loading.
Non‑running bikes can ship but require pre‑arranged handling (winching, special skids, or crating).
You can drop the bike at a West Coast Shipping warehouse, or
Arrange domestic transport to get it there.
Warehouse staff record the condition and take photos before loading.
Turkey guides on car imports describe the export process for vehicles, which applies similarly to motorcycles:
Verify title and ownership.
File the U.S. export declaration.
Load and secure the motorcycle in the container using chocks, straps, and, where required, a crate.
Once the container is sealed:
It is loaded onto the vessel for Istanbul.
Tracking updates are provided through the voyage.
Transit times align with the approximate ranges above (around 25–36 days on the water for many East/Gulf Coast lanes).
At the Turkish end, vehicle‑shipping content describes a familiar pattern:
The container is moved to a secure warehouse near Istanbul.
The bike is unloaded, and the local agent works with your customs broker to complete clearance once taxes and fees are paid.
You or your transporter collect the motorcycle or arrange inland delivery within Turkey.
Turkey is recognized as one of the more complex vehicle‑import environments, with strict rules around who can bring in a vehicle, for how long, and on what tax basis. Motorcycles follow the same overarching structure as cars, even though their exact tax bands and rates differ.
Turkey relocation and import guides make a clear distinction between temporary (“guest”) entry and full permanent import.
Temporary entry for foreign‑registered vehicles and motorcycles
For people visiting or staying in Turkey for a limited period, foreign‑registered vehicles—including motorcycles—can often enter temporarily under the Turing framework:
The system is administered by the Touring and Automobile Union of Turkey (Turing) via instruments such as the “Blue Card” and related foreign‑vehicle schemes.
Temporary entry is tied to foreign registration, ownership, and your personal status, not just the vehicle.
Eligibility and maximum stay depend on current rules, which typically include:
Requirements that the owner and vehicle have spent a minimum period (for example, 185 days) outside Turkey before entry.
A maximum stay (often up to a defined limit such as 730 days, subject to change).
Security deposits or guarantees under the Turing system.
These conditions apply across vehicles and generally extend to motorcycles, but the exact details should always be confirmed against current Turing and Customs guidance.
Want to understand how Turkey’s rules, taxes, and entry options apply specifically to bikes? Take a deeper dive into Turkey motorcycle customs and import rules explained for a clear breakdown of temporary vs permanent entry, tax structure, and required documents.
Permanent import and local registration
If your goal is to keep and register the motorcycle in Turkey long‑term—especially as a resident or returning citizen—you move into Turkey’s full import regime:
The bike is formally imported, and Turkish registration is pursued.
Full duties and taxes apply based on engine size, classification, and value.
A local customs broker becomes critical for both compliance and cost planning.
Turkey vehicle‑tax guides describe a three‑layer structure that also applies conceptually to motorcycles:
Customs duty – a percentage applied to the customs value, influenced by HS classification, trade status, and motorcycle type.
Special Consumption Tax (ÖTV) – Turkey’s consumption tax with bands that scale based on engine displacement and value.
Value Added Tax (VAT) – currently 20%, typically applied to a base that includes the customs value plus any duty and ÖTV.
For motorcycles:
Exact percentages and thresholds depend on the HS code and current Turkish tariff schedule.
Bands and treatments differ from passenger cars, even though the overall stack (duty + ÖTV + VAT) follows the same pattern.
This article does not list specific motorcycle tax rates. Instead, Turkey guides and WCS content recommend treating any example figures you see online as illustrative only and confirming actual rates with:
Your Turkish customs broker, and
The current Turkish Customs and trade tables applicable to your motorcycle’s HS classification.
Because the cumulative effect of duty + ÖTV + VAT can be very high, especially on larger‑engine or higher‑value bikes, pre‑import tax modeling is crucial before you commit.
Turkey import and relocation content outline a fairly consistent documentation set for vehicles, adapted here for motorcycles:
Expect to need:
Original title in your name (or lienholder authorization plus supporting documents).
Bill of sale or purchase invoice showing value and seller details.
Passport and contact information for shipper and consignee.
A Turkish tax number and/or residence proof, depending on the import route.
Booking and shipping documentation for West Coast Shipping and the Turkish agent.
Any additional forms requested by your Turkey customs broker under the chosen regime.
Accurate documents not only support clearance but can also affect how your bike is classified and what tax base is used.
Turkey’s car‑shipping and relocation guides consistently recommend working with a local customs broker for full imports, and that advice applies equally to motorcycles. A good broker will:
Identify the correct HS classification and associated motorcycle tax structure.
Check whether any relocation‑related reliefs or special regimes apply to your situation.
Interface with customs, port authorities, and the destination warehouse on your behalf.
Given the complexity and the financial stakes, this broker partnership is as important as choosing the right carrier.
A motorcycle is more exposed—and often more vulnerable—than a car during international transit. Turkey‑focused method comparisons and West Coast Shipping’s cargo‑protection materials highlight three main tools for reducing risk:
Secure method and packing.
Thorough condition documentation.
Additional Cargo Damage Protection (CDP) above basic carrier liability.
Container‑shipping articles for Turkey stress the benefits of enclosed transport and careful bracing:
The container shields the motorcycle from weather, salt, and casual contact on the dock.
Inside, WCS uses wheel chocks, soft straps, and bracing to immobilize bikes on skids or pallets.
Good motorcycle packing practice includes:
Front wheel securely chocked and tied down.
Soft ties attached to solid frame points or triple clamps, not delicate handlebars or controls.
Suspension slightly compressed but not fully bottomed out.
Padding or wrapping for mirrors, levers, and fairing edges.
For air freight, air‑freight guidance explains that full crating with solid floors and complete enclosures is typically required. These details matter because the way the bike is secured is the first line of defense against transit damage.
Want to go deeper on packing, documentation, and damage coverage? Take a look at Protecting Your Motorcycle Shipment to Turkey for a focused guide on minimizing risk and making the most of Cargo Damage Protection.
Turkey car‑shipping and damage‑protection content place heavy emphasis on before‑and‑after documentation.
Before export, you should:
Take high‑resolution photos from all angles, including close‑ups of existing blemishes.
Capture the odometer, VIN plate, and any special accessories.
Note mechanical issues or cosmetic flaws in writing.
At the U.S. warehouse and again at the Turkish warehouse, WCS and partners complete intake/outtake notes and photography. This two‑stage record supports:
Customs if questions about value or condition arise.
Any potential claim under West Coast Shipping’s Cargo Damage Protection program.
Some shippers assume that basic ocean‑carrier liability will fully cover a damaged motorcycle; in practice, that standard liability is designed for bulk freight and often leaves vehicle owners under‑protected.
West Coast Shipping’s “Cargo Damage Protection Explained” article and its Cargo Damage Protection page note that:
Carrier obligations under typical maritime law and contracts are limited in amount per package and exclude many real‑world risks.
A claim under those basic terms can be difficult and may not reflect the motorcycle’s full value.
WCS therefore offers an optional Cargo Damage Protection (CDP) layer that:
Sits above default legal limits and is linked to the value declared.
Focuses on physical transit damage between warehouse intake and overseas unloading.
Uses the pre‑ and post‑shipment documentation described above to evaluate claims.
CDP is not a warranty or a maintenance plan; it is designed specifically to improve the outcome if your bike suffers covered physical damage while in transit.
Alongside professional packing and CDP, riders can help protect their bikes by:
Removing easily detachable accessories (navigation units, phone mounts, soft luggage).
Folding or removing mirrors where possible and padding vulnerable parts.
Locking the steering and ensuring the bike is immobilized once strapped.
Keeping copies of all documents and photos stored in the cloud so they are accessible from Turkey.
Combined, these measures significantly reduce both the risk of damage and the difficulty of resolving a problem if something does go wrong.
The most reliable way to decide whether shipping your motorcycle to Turkey makes sense is to look at current, lane‑specific pricing rather than old estimates. West Coast Shipping’s international motorcycle shipping rates page includes a motorcycle calculator that uses up‑to‑date container rates, typical transit times, and key cost components for routes into Istanbul.
Use the button below to open the calculator, enter your origin, destination, and bike details, and see how your Turkey plan fits your budget and timeline before you book.