International Parcel Delivery | Blog

Best Shipping Options to Turkiye (Turkey) from Canada

Written by Timothy Byrnes | October 25, 2017

Türkiye (formally “Turkey,” pronounced tur-kee-yay) is an important growth market for Canada’s education, infrastructure and technology sectors. Two-way trade exceeds $2 billion annually and demand is rising for low-cost, reliable parcel and freight delivery from Canada to Istanbul, Ankara, Izmir and beyond.

Jet Worldwide Canada provides shipping services from Montreal, Toronto, Calgary and the rest of Canada to Istanbul, Ankara, Izmir and all of Türkiye.

Canada has a vibrant Turkish community of 50,000+ concentrated in Toronto, Montreal, Vancouver, Ottawa, Hamilton, Calgary and Edmonton. Opportunities for Canadian firms span energy, ICT, mining, education and e-commerce—where the right delivery strategy matters.

Fast answers:

  • Cheapest method (personal parcels): Canada Post Small Packet / surface options (best for ≤2 kg, non-urgent).
  • Best value (business): Economy services via FedEx / UPS / DHL or a partner like Jet Worldwide for program pricing and support.
  • Freight (pallets/containers): Economy air for 50–300 kg time-sensitive moves; LCL/FCL ocean for heavier shipments with 4–12 week lead times.

Expand your cross-border logistics options. Get one-on-one support from seasoned professionals—strengthening your team, even if you’re a team of one. Contact our team for an initial consultation.

Download the PDF: Shipping from Canada (quick reference)

In this guide
  • Insights into shipping costs
  • Get a Canadian address (forwarding to Türkiye)
  • Best options to ship from Canada to Türkiye
  • Canada Post, FedEx/UPS/DH, Purolator
  • Freight: Air vs. Ocean (LCL/FCL)
  • Customs clearance into Türkiye
  • Incoterms: DDP vs. DAP (DDU)
  • Shipping from Türkiye to Canada
  • Importing into Canada from Türkiye, CARM
  • Related resources
  • FAQ 

Price Drivers & Quick Tips for the Best Rate to Türkiye

  • Main drivers: dimensions (dim weight), actual weight, service speed, destination postal code, fuel surcharges.
  • Start with: Canada Post for personal items; compare with FedEx/UPS/DHL for tracked business parcels.
  • Beware “50% off!” claims: A big “discount” can still be expensive off high base rates. Compare total landed cost.
  • Ask us: Submit a rate request; we’ll benchmark carriers and propose a right-sized solution. Get a quote.

Pro tip: Right-size your packaging to reduce chargeable weight and ship on predictable schedules to access better program pricing.

Get a Canadian Address to Receive Goods and Forward to Türkiye

Looking for a MyUS-style solution from Canada? A Canadian forwarding address can help you access Canadian suppliers and North-American-only products while avoiding U.S. trade limitations. We consolidate and forward to Türkiye with economy options. Ask for forwarding rates.

Best Options for Shipping to Türkiye from Canada

Packages & Parcels

Canada Post → PTT (Turkish Post)

Best for individuals sending small, non-urgent parcels to Istanbul, Ankara, Antalya and nationwide. Delivery in Türkiye is completed by PTT.

  • Small Packet: Surface or Air (≤2 kg)
  • International Parcel: Surface or Air

FedEx / UPS / DHL (via Jet Worldwide or direct)

Reliable tracked delivery with published service guarantees (service-dependent). Contact us for economy options and consolidated solutions.

  • International Priority / Express
  • International Economy

Purolator (via partners)

Purolator is a leading Canadian carrier; international moves to Türkiye are fulfilled via partners (e.g., UPS/DHL).

Freight to Türkiye: Air vs. Ocean

Air freight is usually ~1 week door-to-door and is ideal for urgent or high-value shipments. Ocean averages 1–3 months door-to-door.

LCL (Less-Than-Container Load)

Share container space; allow extra time for consolidation/deconsolidation.

FCL (Full-Container Load)

20' / 40' containers for predictable schedules and lower unit cost at volume.

Which is cheaper?

Ocean has multiple surcharges that can make small consignments more expensive than economy air. As a rule of thumb, shipments up to ~100 kg often price better by air.

How to Lower Shipping Costs to Türkiye from Canada

  1. Compare post vs. courier vs. air vs. ocean for your weight band.
  2. Trim dimensional weight—use snug boxes and fewer void fillers (learn why).
  3. Batch & consolidate on a weekly schedule to unlock program pricing.
  4. Use a third-party partner for negotiated rates and pre-clearance support.
  5. Use ocean for large commercial orders; post for light, non-urgent items.

Partner with Jet Worldwide

We design the right mix of post, courier, air and ocean to minimize cost and maximize reliability.

Request a Quote Talk to an Expert

Customs Clearance for Imports into Türkiye

For all non-document shipments, include a commercial invoice (3 copies) with clear item descriptions (avoid generic “samples/gift”), HS codes, and values. Verify the receiver can import your goods and has the needed approvals.

Receiver identification shown on the waybill/invoice:

  • Company: VAT Number (10 digits)
  • Private individual: T.C. ID Number (11 digits)
  • Non-Turkish resident: Passport Number

Additional notes:

  • Provide at least a 6-digit HS code for each item (more digits if known).
  • State the purpose of shipment (e.g., “Sample for testing,” “Commercial sale”).
  • Consignments >30 kg or >€1,500 are subject to more regulations and may require formal brokerage.

Helpful reads: commercial invoiceduty & calculationHS codesCIF & valuation

Shipping Terms (Incoterms) to Consider

The default for many couriers is DAP (formerly DDU): the receiver pays import charges. Many shippers choose DDP so the shipper pre-pays import charges to improve the recipient experience. Confirm obligations with your carrier and trading partner. Learn more: Incoterms for packages & online orders.

Restricted/Prohibited Items (examples)

Türkiye restricts many categories including: furs; monetary instruments; narcotics; human remains; offensive publications; high-value jewelry/precious metals; pork products; plants/perishables; ivory; counterfeit goods. Always confirm specific HS-based import rules before shipping.

Shipping from Türkiye to Canada

Options include PTT (Turkish Post) for personal parcels, and FedEx / UPS / DHL for tracked business shipments.

  • Priority / Express Air
  • Economy International Air

Importing Goods into Canada from Türkiye & CARM

Imports into Canada valued over CA$20 are generally subject to duties and taxes. Courier consignments under CA$3,300 may clear via CLVS (Courier Low Value Shipment) processes. Review common Canadian import fees.

CARM (CBSA Assessment and Revenue Management)

The CBSA CARM portal streamlines commercial imports (bonding, broker assignment, payments). Learn more about CARM.

Related Resources

FAQ: Canada ⇄ Türkiye Shipping

What does it cost to ship to Türkiye?

Cost depends on weight, dimensions, service speed, destination and fuel. Light personal parcels are usually cheapest via Canada Post. For business parcels, economy courier often provides the best balance of speed, tracking and price.

What is the cheapest way to send a package to Türkiye?

For individuals, Canada Post Small Packet/Surface is often the lowest cost (≤2 kg, non-urgent). For heavier or time-sensitive shipments, compare economy courier and air freight.

How long does delivery to Türkiye take?

Express courier: ~3–6 business days; Economy air: ~5–10 business days; Ocean LCL/FCL: ~4–12 weeks door-to-door.

What documents are required?

Commercial invoice (3 copies), waybill, HS codes, clear item descriptions, receiver ID (VAT/T.C. ID/passport). Include purpose (e.g., sample, sale) and any permits if applicable.

DDP or DAP (DDU)—which is better?

DDP improves the recipient experience (shipper prepays import costs) but requires tax handling. DAP (DDU) shifts costs to the receiver and may add delivery delays if charges are due.

Get a Quote Talk to an Expert

Disclaimer: The information in this blog is for general information only.