By the Waymore Shipping Operations Team | Last updated: September 19, 2026 | 6 min read

Shipping Christmas & Holiday Decorations from China to Turkey: Requirements, Costs & Tips

To ship Christmas and holiday decorations to Turkey, book LCL or FCL sea freight from Shanghai, Ningbo or Shenzhen to Ambarlı (Istanbul) or Mersin — 25–34 days port-to-port — and clear Turkish customs, where most decorations enter at 0% duty under the EU–Turkey Customs Union with 20% import VAT applied on the CIF value. Book by late August for December arrival.

Ambarlı or Mersin: which port for your decoration shipment?

Ambarlı, on the European side of Istanbul, receives the most frequent China calls (25–32 days direct or one-stop) and is the right choice if you sell in Istanbul, Bursa or the Aegean coast via Gebze/Kocaeli terminals. Mersin serves southern Turkey and the huge Ankara–Konya hinterland (27–34 days); goods for Anatolia that discharge at Ambarlı face a 450+ km truck that erases any ocean-rate saving. For a comparison of routing options and when transshipment actually saves money, see our direct vs transshipment guide.

What does Turkey's customs union mean for decorations?

Turkey applies the EU Common Customs Tariff to industrial goods from third countries under the Customs Union, so festive articles under HS 9505.10 enter at 0% duty — the same treatment as the EU. Items classified under lighting or plastic headings can carry small duties, and Turkish customs occasionally applies additional economic measures, so confirm the code with your broker. You'll need a Turkish tax number / importer registry certificate (instead of an EU EORI), a detailed commercial invoice, packing list, bill of lading and certificate of origin. Turkish import VAT is 20%. A note from our Istanbul clearance team: Turkish customs is strict on invoice values for seasonal goods — under-declared bauble shipments get examined, and examination days cost more than the tax saved. For the full process see our China-to-Turkey customs clearance guide.

How much does shipping decorations to Turkey cost?

Indicative November levels:

A 15 CBM LCL consignment of baubles, tinsel and tree skirts clears Ambarlı and delivers to an Istanbul warehouse for roughly USD 1,300–1,700 all-in. Rate direction follows global indexes — UNCTAD's Review of Maritime Transport is a good neutral benchmark for the Med trade.

Mini-case: 1,100 artificial trees to an Istanbul retail chain

An Istanbul party-supply chain ordered 1,100 artificial trees (1.5m–2.4m) from a Linhai factory — 58 CBM, only 7.4 tonnes. A 40HC cube-out was the obvious answer, but at 58 CBM one container was tight; we split into a 40HC (trees) plus a shared LCL console (ornaments and tree skirts from a second supplier), both booked on the same service so they discharged Ambarlı within a day of each other. Sailed Ningbo September 20, arrived October 20, cleared in four working days with VAT deferred through the client's broker, and hit the chain's distribution center October 27 — before the November 1 store roll-out.

When should you book for the Turkish season?

Turkish retail sells decorations from late November through New Year — a slightly later peak than Europe, but the vessels don't care. Cargo ex-factory by early-to-mid September, booked by late August, keeps you out of the December rollover trap. Multi-supplier orders load cleaner through consolidation in one China warehouse, and if you're new to importing, our step-by-step importing guide covers the basics end to end.

Frequently Asked Questions

How long does sea freight from China to Turkey take?

Shanghai or Ningbo to Ambarlı (Istanbul) runs about 25–32 days port-to-port on direct or one-stop services; Mersin is 27–34 days. Add 3–6 days for Turkish customs clearance and inland delivery.

What duty and VAT apply to decorations imported into Turkey?

Under the EU–Turkey Customs Union, industrial goods including most decorations carry 0% import duty when originating in China under the EU CCT schedule. Turkish import VAT is 20%, charged on CIF value plus any levies.

Ambarlı or Mersin — which Turkish port should I use?

Ambarlı serves Istanbul and western Turkey with the most China calls; Mersin suits the south and inland Anatolia via Ankara. Choose by warehouse location — inland trucking often outweighs a small ocean rate difference.

When should decorations ship from China to reach Turkey by December?

Cargo ex-factory by early-to-mid September, booked by late August. Turkey's selling season runs to New Year, but December services to the East Med are the most rollover-prone.