Electric vehicles represent a growing segment of international car shipments, but shipping an EV to Turkey requires understanding a tax structure that changed in mid-2025, plus specialized battery safety protocols that do not apply to conventional vehicles. Whether you are relocating with a Tesla, importing a European EV, or sending electric inventory for resale, this guide covers the complete picture: how Turkey taxes electric vehicle imports after the July 2025 reform, what EVs really cost compared to gasoline cars once all duties and tariffs are included, and the pre-shipment battery documentation that keeps your container moving through U.S. export and Turkish customs without delays.
West Coast Shipping's Turkey country page and complete import guide both outline Turkey's layered tax system, and this article focuses specifically on how that framework applies to battery electric vehicles in 2026 and beyond.
Turkey's vehicle taxation system is among the world's most complex, with three separate layers that compound into total costs often exceeding the vehicle's purchase price. For electric vehicles, the July 2025 Special Consumption Tax (ÖTV) reform fundamentally changed the economics of EV imports, and a later 2025 tariff decision added yet another cost layer for certain non-EU and non-FTA imports depending on the vehicle’s exact GTIP line and origin.
Every vehicle imported into Turkey for permanent registration faces this sequence:
Turkey applies customs duty to passenger vehicles under its customs tariff, and the applicable rate depends on the vehicle’s GTIP/HS code, origin, and any preferential regime in force. Some public summaries commonly reference a 10% customs-duty figure for many passenger-vehicle cases, but importers should treat any generic percentage as illustrative only and confirm the applicable customs-duty rate for their specific GTIP and origin using Turkey’s current tariff schedule or official tariff lookup (or via a Turkish customs broker).
Want a clear, EV‑specific breakdown of Turkey’s import taxes after the 2025 reforms? Read our dedicated guide on electric vehicle taxes in Turkey for a step‑by‑step look at 2026 ÖTV bands, VAT, and extra duties so you can model your EV’s landed cost with confidence:
Electric Vehicle Taxes in Turkey: 2026 ÖTV & VAT Explained.
The ÖTV represents the largest tax component for most imports. For gasoline and diesel vehicles, ÖTV rates range roughly from 90% up to 220% depending on engine displacement and vehicle value, with larger engines facing the highest rates. Electric vehicles historically received lower ÖTV rates to encourage electrification, but the July 2025 decision published in the Official Gazette increased these bands.
Under the revised framework introduced by the July 24, 2025 Presidential Decision, battery electric vehicles now face ÖTV rates between 25% and 75%, determined by motor power output and vehicle price segment. West Coast Shipping’s guide to Turkey duties and VAT summarizes these EV brackets and explains how they are applied in practice.
Prior to this mid-2025 update, EVs benefited from substantially lower ÖTV bands—often in the 10–25% range and, in some categories, up to higher brackets—depending on motor power and tax base. These earlier bands were replaced by the current 25–75% structure, representing substantial increases for many electric vehicle categories and narrowing, though not eliminating, the tax gap between EVs and internal-combustion cars.
Turkey applies 20% VAT on the cumulative taxable value, which includes the vehicle's customs value plus the applicable customs duty plus the full ÖTV amount. This compounding structure means VAT is calculated on top of all previous taxes, creating a multiplier effect that significantly increases total costs.
In September 2025, a presidential tariff decision was published in the Official Gazette imposing additional duties on certain passenger-vehicle imports depending on the vehicle’s exact GTIP line and origin (including coverage for some non-EU and non-FTA origins listed in annex tables). These additional tariffs came into force 60 days after publication, taking effect in late November 2025.
Public summaries often describe the measure as adding extra duties, applied on top of the standard customs-ÖTV-VAT framework, with headline figures such as:
Electric vehicles: 30% of customs value or a minimum of USD 8,500 per vehicle, whichever is higher
Plug-in hybrid vehicles: 30% of customs value or a minimum of USD 7,000 per vehicle, whichever is higher
Conventional and non-plug-in hybrid vehicles: 25% of customs value or a minimum of USD 6,000 per vehicle, whichever is higher
However, these figures are not universal: the annex tables define which GTIP lines and origins are covered and what percentage/minimum applies for each covered line. Importers should have a Turkish customs broker confirm whether their vehicle’s GTIP and origin are in scope and, if so, the precise rate and minimum that apply before treating any headline figure as final.
To understand total import costs, consider a typical scenario using a mid-range electric vehicle shipped from the United States to Turkey via West Coast Shipping's container service. The numbers below are modeled illustrations applying current official tax bands and are not live calculator outputs.
In this modeled example, taxes and tariffs add roughly USD 68,400 to a USD 45,000 vehicle—more than 150% of the original cost. While still more favorable than the 200–300% tax burden typical for many large-engine gasoline vehicles, the financial impact is substantial and requires careful budgeting.
Because ÖTV brackets, tariff structures, and threshold amounts can change through new presidential decisions or ministry regulations, West Coast Shipping’s Turkey content consistently recommends confirming current tax rates with a Turkish customs broker before committing to an EV import.
Beyond the tax differences, electric vehicles introduce operational considerations that do not apply to conventional cars, particularly around battery safety requirements and specialized documentation for lithium-ion systems classified as dangerous goods under international maritime regulations.
Using price points similar to examples on West Coast Shipping’s Turkey pages and applying current official tax bands, here is how similar-value electric and gasoline vehicles compare on total Turkey import costs. These are illustrative scenarios, not guaranteed outcomes.
In this comparison, the electric vehicle lands approximately USD 28,800 less expensive than the comparable gasoline car despite facing higher base tariffs, because the ÖTV differential (50% vs. 100%) outweighs the tariff difference.
Shift to a smaller gasoline engine or different EV bracket and the gap narrows:
Here the compact gasoline vehicle lands only modestly higher than the electric option from Scenario A. The key takeaway: electric vehicles still benefit from lower ÖTV than many gasoline cars, but the July 2025 ÖTV increase and late-November 2025 additional tariffs have reduced the scale of that advantage compared with previous years.
Want to see how your EV really compares to a gasoline car once Turkey’s taxes, tariffs, and battery rules are included? Read our side‑by‑side breakdown in Shipping EVs vs Gas Cars to Turkey: Costs & Risks to compare total landed cost and operational risk before you choose which vehicle to ship:
Shipping EVs vs Gas Cars to Turkey: Costs & Risks.
While tax calculations may favor EVs, the operational requirements for shipping electric vehicles introduce compliance steps that do not exist for gasoline cars. Lithium-ion batteries powering EVs are treated as Class 9 dangerous goods under international shipping regulations, aligned with UN3480 and UN3481 classifications and vehicle-specific provisions such as SP 961/962 under the IMDG Code.
West Coast Shipping's article on lithium battery risk during overseas shipping explains that these classifications trigger mandatory protocols:
UN38.3 testing and documentation confirming the battery pack meets international safety standards
Safety Data Sheet (SDS/MSDS) detailing battery chemistry, capacity, hazard classification, and emergency response procedures
Dangerous goods declarations filed with carriers and maritime authorities reflecting the correct UN number, packing instruction, and state of charge
Battery charge management, typically keeping EVs around 20–50% state of charge, with some carriers insisting on a maximum of 30% SOC for added safety
Special handling and stowage procedures during loading and onboard storage, including fire-suppression considerations
UN38.3 test summaries are mandatory for lithium batteries in transport and, in practice, carriers expect this documentation to be available as part of the dangerous-goods paperwork set. Conventional gasoline and diesel vehicles are not subject to these Class 9 requirements, making their export documentation and shipping preparation considerably more straightforward.
For EV shippers, missing or incomplete battery documentation can delay container departure, trigger U.S. export holds, or create Turkish customs complications that extend clearance timelines and accumulate storage charges.
Despite the battery compliance differences, electric and gasoline vehicles ship via the same core methods and follow similar timelines for Turkey container shipping. West Coast Shipping primarily uses shared or dedicated ocean containers for both vehicle types, with typical transit times to Istanbul of roughly 25 days from New York/New Jersey, 31 days from Texas, 36 days from Florida, and 41 days from California.
Air freight remains technically possible for urgent EV moves, but West Coast Shipping’s EV shipping methods guide notes that lithium-battery rules under IATA/ICAO and individual carrier policies make EV air freight rare, heavily constrained, and significantly more expensive than container shipping. For most Turkey imports, ocean containers remain the practical solution.
Beyond standard shipping risks, electric vehicle imports to Turkey carry specific considerations:
Battery documentation risk – Errors in UN38.3 documentation, SDS, or dangerous-goods declarations can lead to export holds or extended customs review.
Temperature and storage sensitivity – Long dwell times in hot port environments, especially during Turkish summers, can stress battery systems if containers remain in exposed yards.
Evolving technical standards – Turkey continues refining EV-specific import rules, including requirements for charging compatibility and service support. Importers should confirm technical compliance through a Turkish customs broker before shipping.
Tax and tariff volatility – The 2025 changes show that Turkey’s EV tax environment can shift quickly; budget buffers are essential.
Pre-Shipment Checklist: Preparing Your Electric Vehicle for Export to Turkey
Proper preparation prevents the delays and complications that extend shipping timelines and increase costs. For electric vehicles, preparation combines standard export steps with EV‑specific battery and documentation requirements.
Set the Correct State of Charge
Before delivering your EV to the export facility, adjust the battery to the carrier‑approved state of charge. Many professional carriers and logistics providers prefer 20–50% SOC for ocean shipments, and some specify a firm maximum of 30%. Maintain enough charge for port handling while staying within safety guidance.
Photograph the dashboard showing the battery percentage at handover and note the value on your shipping documents. This evidence helps resolve any later questions about SOC at the time of loading.
Obtain UN38.3 Test Summaries
Most factory EV battery packs from major manufacturers already comply with UN38.3 testing. You can typically request the UN38.3 test summary from the vehicle manufacturer or look for references in technical documentation. Provide this test summary to West Coast Shipping’s export team, which will integrate it into the dangerous‑goods documentation.
Secure the Safety Data Sheet (SDS)
Request the SDS/MSDS for your vehicle’s battery pack from the manufacturer or battery supplier. This document describes the battery chemistry, hazards, handling precautions, and emergency measures and accompanies the dangerous goods declaration in the shipping file.
Want a step‑by‑step checklist you can follow before your EV ever reaches the port? Go to Pre‑Shipment EV Checklist for Exporting to Turkey to see exactly how to prepare your title, battery documentation, state of charge, photos, and container‑ready condition
Work with West Coast Shipping’s export specialists to ensure the dangerous goods declaration for your EV includes:
Correct UN number (usually UN3481 for batteries contained in equipment when shipping complete vehicles)
Class 9 designation and applicable special provisions (such as SP 961/962)
Battery make, model, capacity (kWh), and voltage
Confirmation of state of charge at time of loading
Reference to accompanying UN38.3 test summary and SDS
Because AES export filing for used vehicles is mandatory regardless of value, dangerous‑goods details must be finalized early enough to avoid missing the 72‑hour pre‑departure filing window. Align your document timing with the steps recommended in West Coast Shipping’s international car shipping process guide.
Electric vehicles also follow the standard physical preparation procedures outlined in West Coast Shipping’s vehicle transport guide and related preparation content:
Wash the exterior and clean the interior to make any pre‑existing damage visible
Take high‑resolution photos of all sides, interior, wheels, and close‑ups of any scratches or dents
Remove all personal belongings and loose items from the cabin, trunk, and frunk
Verify tire pressures, fluid levels, and basic mechanical condition
Turn off alarm systems to prevent battery drain during transit
Ensure the 12‑volt auxiliary battery is healthy and, where recommended by the manufacturer, follow specific long‑term storage instructions
For premium or collector‑grade EVs, you can layer in best practices from preparing classic cars for export to Turkey, such as extra documentation photos and added protective coverings inside the container.
While your EV is on the water, use that transit time to finalize Turkish import documentation. The Turkey import tax and regulations guide and the step‑by‑step USA to Turkey process outline the essential paperwork:
Turkish tax number for the importer
Proof of residence or work permit if required for your import regime
Original and apostilled ownership documents where necessary
Certified Turkish translations of key documents
Technical data aligning with EV specifications (VIN, year, power, battery capacity)
A decision on whether the vehicle will enter under temporary guest‑vehicle provisions or as a permanent import
For EVs, customs may request additional technical data such as battery capacity, charging system compatibility, and manufacturer conformity documentation. Engaging a customs broker who has handled EV imports allows these questions to be anticipated and addressed before the container arrives.
Turkey’s summers can be hot and humid, particularly in ports like Istanbul. Even though containers provide considerable passive protection, long dwell times in yards during customs clearance can expose vehicles to sustained warmth.
West Coast Shipping’s EV shipping guide notes that for rare or high‑value EVs, importers sometimes select climate‑controlled containers to maintain narrow temperature ranges during transit and storage. For most daily‑use EVs, standard container service is adequate, but importers should still aim to minimize clearance delays by ensuring documentation is complete before arrival.
The final step in a delay‑resistant EV shipment is coordinated teamwork:
Use West Coast Shipping’s international car shipping portal to request EV‑specific quotes and flag that you are shipping a battery electric vehicle to Turkey.
Ask to be connected with destination agents and Turkish customs brokers who already understand EV regulations, charging standards, and the updated tax structure.
Share electronic copies of your UN38.3 test summary, battery SDS, title, bill of sale, and identification with both WCS and your broker as early as possible.
Confirm with your broker how the July 2025 ÖTV bands and late‑November 2025 additional tariffs apply to your specific vehicle and whether any exemptions or free‑trade preferences exist based on vehicle origin.
With this advance coordination, most EV shipments follow the same broad 6‑11 week door‑to‑door timeline as conventional cars, but with far fewer surprises at the export yard or Turkish customs.
Ready to see how these taxes, tariffs, and EV‑specific requirements affect your actual vehicle and route—from California, Florida, Texas, New York, or anywhere else in the USA to Turkey? Use the button below to open West Coast Shipping’s calculator, get live container rates for your electric vehicle, and connect with Turkey specialists who handle battery documentation, customs coordination, and end‑to‑end EV logistics.