Container shipping and car shipping from Madinah to Turkey is one of the shortest container routes from Saudi Arabia to Turkey: Madinah is close to the ports of Yanbu and Jeddah, from which the container passes through the Suez Canal into the eastern Mediterranean, where southern Turkey’s ports at Mersin and Iskenderun are a short distance away, followed by Izmir and Istanbul to the west and north. A container loaded and sealed outside your door in Madinah is opened only at clearance or at your door in Turkey.
Topics in this guide29 topicsShowHide
The container decision starts with two questions: how many cubic metres does your home take after sorting, and will you ship the car with it? The answers set the container size, most of the cost, and the loading method.
Al Basma Express ships containers from Quba, Al Awali, Al Aziziyah, Shuran and every district of Madinah to Istanbul, Ankara, Bursa, Antalya, Izmir, Trabzon, Gaziantep and every province: volume estimate, choosing the container, loading, lashing and sealing at your door, shipping from Yanbu or Jeddah, clearance, inland transport and delivery, with one or two cars in the container.
Find out your container size and cost from Madinah to Turkey
Container shipping from Madinah to Turkey in brief
Al Basma Express ships containers, furniture and cars from Madinah to every Turkish province, by sea from Yanbu or Jeddah via the Suez Canal to Mersin, Iskenderun, Izmir or Istanbul.
Services
- ✔Full container: 20ft or 40ft, sealed at your door.
- ✔Part load: space in a shared container.
- ✔Car shipping: one or two cars in a container, or with the furniture.
- ✔Delivery in Turkey: reassembly and an external lift when needed.
Cost and duration
- ✔Containers and cars: contact us for the cost based on volume, the two ports and the province.
- ✔Transit time: usually 3 to 5 weeks door to door.
Required documents
- ✔Copy of passport and iqama.
- ✔A detailed, numbered inventory list.
- ✔Electronic broker authorisation via the Fasah platform.
- ✔A Turkish residence permit when claiming the household goods exemption.
Madinah to Turkey in numbers
⚓
Yanbu or Jeddah
On the Red Sea
🌊
Via Suez
Straight to Mersin and Iskenderun
📦
20ft or 40ft
Depending on your home’s size
⏱️
3 – 5 weeks
Usually door to door
Who ships a container from Madinah to Turkey?
| Case | Typical shipment | Usually the best option |
|---|---|---|
| A family moving to live in Turkey | A full home and a car | A 40ft container |
| A resident with a Turkish work permit | Apartment furniture and a car | A 20ft container and the car on ro-ro |
| A student or teacher | A library and personal items | Part load |
| A family with two cars | Two cars and a little furniture | Both cars in a racked 40ft container, furniture as a part load |
How many cubic metres does your home take?
Rough estimates to help before the survey; the actual volume varies with the amount of furniture and size of the pieces:
| Home type | Approx. volume after packing | Usually the best option |
|---|---|---|
| A room or studio | 10 – 15 m³ | Part load |
| A one-bedroom apartment | 20 – 25 m³ | 20ft container |
| A two-bedroom apartment | 28 – 35 m³ | A full 20ft or a 40ft container |
| A three-bedroom apartment | 40 – 55 m³ | 40ft container |
| A villa | 60 m³ or more | 40ft high cube or more |
| Container | Approx. capacity |
|---|---|
| 20ft | About 28 – 33 m³ |
| 40ft | About 58 – 67 m³ |
| 40ft high cube | About 68 – 76 m³ |
💡 Sorting changes the container size
Turkish apartments are usually handed over with a fitted kitchen, and their living rooms are smaller than Madinah homes. Leaving the fitted kitchen and selling cheap bulky furniture can take you from a 40ft container down to a 20ft.
What to move to Turkey, and what to leave
| Item | The usual decision | Why |
|---|---|---|
| Fitted kitchen | Usually left | Turkish apartments are normally handed over with a fitted kitchen |
| Large floor majlis sets | Move what suits the new living room | Living rooms are smaller than Madinah majlis rooms |
| Split air conditioners | Compared with new | Usually installed locally; removal and refitting need a technician at both ends |
| Huge wardrobes | Dismantled or sold | Narrower entrances and lifts in older buildings |
| Valuable furniture and library | Shipped | Hard to replace |
| Modern appliances | Shipped after checking | Usually work at 50 Hz with a plug adapter |
Full container or part load?
| Item | Full container | Part load |
|---|---|---|
| Privacy | Sealed at your door and touched by no one else | Grouped with other shipments in a warehouse |
| Duration | Shorter; sails on the nearest sailing | Longer; waits for the shared container to fill |
| Cost per metre | Lower if full | Higher per metre, but you pay only your volume |
| Suits | Homes, valuables and cars | A few belongings |
Loading, lashing and sealing at your door
- 1Appliances and heavy cabinets at the back of the container first.
- 2Level rows to the ceiling with no gaps, filled with blankets and light boxes.
- 3Lashing straps on every row to stop movement as the ship rolls.
- 4Moisture-absorbing sachets between the rows.
- 5The metal seal closed in front of you, its number recorded in the documents.
| Item | Preparation |
|---|---|
| Wooden furniture | Dismantled, numbered and tightly wrapped |
| Appliances | Fully emptied and dried two days before |
| Glass, mirrors and chandeliers | Padded wooden crates |
| Rugs and soft furnishings | Cleaned and dried, then rolled |
| Books and photos | Sealed bags inside small boxes |
📌 Where does the container park in Madinah?
A container on its truck needs space outside the home. Near the Haram it cannot enter the central area; we transfer with a smaller vehicle to the container outside. On narrow streets we load at the nearest suitable spot.
Shipping cars in containers to Turkey
| Option | Suits |
|---|---|
| A car alone in a 20ft container | Full protection for the car |
| Two cars in a racked 40ft container | A family with two cars, and a lower cost per car |
| A car with furniture in a 40ft container | A full move with a timber wall |
| Ro-ro ship | A car alone at a lower cost |
Car entry rules in Turkey
- ✔Temporary entry: up to two years for private cars, after which they must leave unless an exception is granted.
- ✔Residents with work permits: special arrangements to register with special plates and exemption from some taxes.
- ✔Permanent import: usually subject to high taxes and duties.
⚠️ Decide before shipping
The cost of permanent import may exceed the car’s value. First decide on temporary or permanent entry, and check the conditions with Turkish customs. On the Saudi side: export plates, Absher authorisation, clearance and the istimara.
Departure port and arrival port
| Departure port | Distance from Madinah | Note |
|---|---|---|
| Yanbu commercial port | About 230 km | When a suitable sailing is available |
| Jeddah Islamic Port | About 420 km | More sailings to Turkey |
| Arrival port | Suits |
|---|---|
| Mersin | The south and centre: Adana, Konya and Ankara |
| Iskenderun | Hatay, Gaziantep and the south-east |
| Izmir | Izmir and the west coast |
| Istanbul | Istanbul, Bursa and the north-west |
| Black Sea ports | Trabzon and the north-east, depending on sailings |
Mersin and Iskenderun are the closest by sea after the Suez Canal, while Istanbul is further as it requires crossing the Aegean and the Dardanelles. We choose the arrival port nearest your province to reduce inland transport.
Documents required to ship a container to Turkey
| Shipment | Saudi side | In Turkey |
|---|---|---|
| Furniture and effects | Passport and iqama, numbered list, Fasah authorisation and final exit visa | Turkish residence permit when claiming the exemption |
| Car | Export plates, Absher authorisation, clearance and istimara | Temporary entry or permanent import, as applicable |
| New items | Their invoices | May be dutiable |
📌 Used household goods
Used household goods may be exempt for people moving to live in Turkey, under conditions set by Turkish customs — notably a residence permit. Details in our guide to shipping from Saudi Arabia to Turkey.
Container shipping prices from Madinah to Turkey
We do not set a fixed price before knowing the volume, the two ports and the province, because the differences are large. These are the factors that set your container cost:
| Service | Price |
|---|---|
| 20ft container | Contact us for the cost |
| 40ft container | Contact us for the cost |
| Part load | By cubic metre |
| Car shipping | Contact us for the cost |
| Wooden crates | By the size of the pieces |
📐
Volume after sorting
Sets the container size.
⚓
The two ports
Yanbu or Jeddah, and the arrival port.
🚗
Cars
Alone, with furniture, or two together.
🚚
Inland transport
From the port to your province.
📌 What the price does not include
Turkish customs duties on cars and non-exempt items, and port and storage fees if clearance is delayed.
Send photos of your home and your province in Turkey so we can size your container
How long does container shipping from Madinah to Turkey take?
| Stage | Approximate duration |
|---|---|
| Loading, sealing and transport to the port | A few days |
| The voyage to Mersin or Iskenderun | Usually one to two weeks |
| The voyage to Istanbul | A little longer |
| Clearance, inland transport and delivery | Days |
| Usual total | 3 to 5 weeks |
Opening the container and delivery in Turkey
- 1Matching the seal and container number with the documents in front of you.
- 2Unloading the cars first if they are in the container.
- 3Unloading in reverse order of loading.
- 4Carrying in and reassembly by numbering.
- 5Opening and airing boxes after the voyage.
| Destination | What we plan for |
|---|---|
| Older Istanbul apartments | An external furniture lift to the window or balcony |
| Modern residential complexes | Service lifts and permitted move times |
| Bursa and Trabzon | Sloping streets and rain needing protection when unloading |
| Antalya and Izmir | Coastal complexes and set parking |
💡 Electricity in Turkey
Turkey runs at 50 Hz with different plugs. Most modern appliances labelled 50/60Hz work without a problem with a plug adapter.
The container shipping timeline
| When | What to do |
|---|---|
| Five weeks before | Contact, survey, volume estimate and the car entry decision |
| Four weeks before | Book the container, sailing and arrival port |
| Three weeks before | The car’s export plates and clearance |
| Two weeks before | Sell what will not move and prepare the Turkish residence permit |
| Two days before | Dry the appliances, the list and Fasah authorisation |
| Loading day | Dismantling, packing, loading and sealing |
Common mistakes in container shipping to Turkey
- ✔A container bigger than needed: without sorting you pay space for furniture you will not need.
- ✔Shipping the fitted kitchen: Turkish apartments usually come with one.
- ✔Shipping a car without an entry decision: permanent import may cost more than it is worth.
- ✔Appliances not dried: mould in the container.
- ✔An arrival port far from your province: longer, costlier inland transport.
- ✔Not mentioning the floor: the external lift is not booked in advance.
What protects your container at sea
📄
Bill of lading
Used to collect the container at the Turkish port.
🔒
Seal number
Recorded in front of you, proving the container was not opened.
🛡️
Marine insurance
Optional, based on the values on the list.
📍
Container tracking
By its number throughout the voyage.
What you know about your container, and when
| Stage | What we send you |
|---|---|
| After loading | A photo of the seal, the container number and a signed list |
| After export | The vessel name, sailing date and bill of lading |
| During the voyage | A tracking link and the expected arrival date |
| At the Turkish port | Clearance confirmation and the inland transport and delivery date |
Before leaving Madinah
After loading we remove cardboard and waste and leave the home empty, and you photograph it to record its condition when handing it to the owner. Time your departure on the final exit visa after loading, so export documents are filed while your residence is valid.
Storage before shipping
If you must vacate your home before the sailing date, we keep your belongings in an air-conditioned warehouse and load the container on time. Details on our temporary storage page.
What cannot be shipped to Turkey?
🔥
Hazardous materials
Gas, fuel and flammable materials.
🌱
Plants and food
Plants, soil and perishable food.
⛔
Prohibited items
Weapons, narcotics and counterfeit goods.
💍
Carry with you
Jewellery, cash and original documents.
See our prohibited items page.
Steps for shipping a container from Madinah to Turkey
- 1Contact: photos of your home and your province in Turkey.
- 2Volume estimate and sorting: and choosing the container.
- 3Price, the two ports and the sailing.
- 4Documents: Fasah, the list, residence and car.
- 5Loading, lashing and sealing at your door.
- 6The sea voyage from Yanbu or Jeddah with tracking.
- 7Clearance, inland transport and delivery.
Examples of container shipments to Turkey
📦
A family from Al Aziziyah to Bursa
A three-bedroom apartment and a car. The plan: leaving the fitted kitchen and selling bulky furniture brought the volume down to one 40ft container for furniture and car, via Istanbul.
🚙
A family with two cars moving to Gaziantep
Two cars and a little furniture. The plan: both cars in a racked 40ft container to Iskenderun, with the furniture as a part load.
🎓
A student from the University district to Ankara
A library and personal items. The plan: a part load to Mersin and inland transport to Ankara.
Why Al Basma Express for container shipping to Turkey?
⚓
Close to Yanbu and Jeddah
The shortest route to southern Turkey.
📐
Volume estimate
The right-sized container.
🔒
Sealed at your door
With the number in your hand.
🚙
Two cars per container
Lower cost per car.
🗺️
The port nearest your province
Mersin, Iskenderun, Izmir or Istanbul.
🏗️
External lift
For older buildings.
For shipping to Turkey from other regions: from Dammam, from Al-Ahsa, from Qassim and from Jeddah. If your destination is Lebanon, see sea freight from Madinah to Lebanon.
FAQ: container shipping from Madinah to Turkey
How much does shipping a container from Madinah to Turkey cost?
It depends on container size, the two ports, the province and inland transport; we set the cost after estimating the volume.
How long does container shipping from Madinah to Turkey take?
Usually 3 to 5 weeks door to door.
Which port does the container sail from, from Madinah?
From Yanbu about 230 kilometres away, or Jeddah about 420 kilometres away, depending on the nearest sailing.
What is the nearest Turkish port from Madinah by sea?
Mersin and Iskenderun in southern Turkey are the closest after the Suez Canal; Istanbul is further.
Which container suits a three-bedroom apartment?
Usually a 40ft container, as the apartment takes about 40 to 55 m³ after packing.
Should I ship my fitted kitchen to Turkey?
Turkish apartments are usually handed over with a fitted kitchen, so check your new home before shipping yours.
Can two cars be shipped in one container?
Yes, in a 40ft container fitted with loading racks.
Can I bring my car into Turkey?
Temporary entry is possible for up to two years, residents with work permits have special arrangements, and permanent import usually attracts high taxes.
Are household goods exempt from Turkish customs?
Used goods may be exempt for people moving to live in Turkey, under conditions — notably a residence permit.
Is the container sealed in front of me?
Yes, with a metal seal whose number is recorded in the documents.
Do you provide an external lift in Turkey?
Yes, for buildings where furniture will not fit the stairs or lift.
Will my appliances work in Turkey?
Turkey runs at 50 Hz with different plugs; most appliances labelled 50/60Hz work with a plug adapter.
Do you collect from near the Prophet’s Mosque?
Yes, with a smaller vehicle that transfers furniture to the container outside the central area.
What documents are required?
A copy of passport and iqama, a numbered list, Fasah authorisation and a Turkish residence permit when claiming the exemption.
Should I ship my air conditioners to Turkey?
Compare the cost of removal, shipping and refitting with a new unit, as air conditioners are usually installed locally in Turkey.
How do I find out my container size?
Send photos of your home and your province in Turkey on WhatsApp or call +966553923364; we estimate the volume and arrange a survey.
Your home in a sealed container, from Madinah to Turkey
Container shipping from Madinah to Turkey benefits from the nearby ports of Yanbu and Jeddah and the short route via Suez to southern Turkey. When the volume is estimated after sorting, the container is loaded to a plan and sealed in front of you, and the arrival port nearest your province is chosen, your container reaches your home in Turkey as it was sealed in Madinah.
Contact Al Basma Express on +966553923364.
Shipping your container and car from Madinah to Turkey starts here
🏷️ Related searches
shipping company Madinah to Turkey container shipping to Turkey furniture moving Madinah to Turkey car shipping to Turkey container price to Turkey temporary car entry Turkey port of Mersin Yanbu port Madinah to Turkey transit time shipping Madinah to Istanbul
