Bofeng Logistics provides dedicated international air freight logistics services from the Pearl River Delta (Guangzhou Baiyun CAN, Shenzhen Bao'an SZX, Hong Kong Chek Lap Kok HKG, Macau MFM) to Turkey. Leveraging the dense Eurasian route networks of four major airports, it provides efficient and reliable air cargo solutions for cross-border e-commerce, foreign trade enterprises, and various cargo owners.
I. Route Overview
Turkey is located at the crossroads of Europe and Asia. It is an important node country along China's "Belt and Road" and an important trading partner of China in the Middle East and surrounding regions. Between China and Turkey, electronic products, machinery and equipment, textile fabrics, auto parts, and cross-border e-commerce goods flow frequently.
Turkey's main air freight hubs are Istanbul Airport (IST, on the European side, the country's largest air cargo gateway and an important transit center for the three continents of Europe, Asia, and Africa), as well as Sabiha Gökçen Airport (SAW, on the Asian side) and Izmir (ADB). Owing to its geographical advantage, Istanbul is often used as a second-leg transit point to Europe, the Middle East, North Africa, and Central Asia.
II. Route Plan
2.1 Direct Flights
| Departure Airport | Destination Airport | Main Carrier | Reference Flight Time | Flight Frequency |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| HKG (Hong Kong Chek Lap Kok) | IST Istanbul | Turkish Airlines TK | ~11h | Daily |
| CAN (Guangzhou Baiyun) | IST Istanbul | Turkish Airlines TK | ~11h | Weekly |
| SZX (Shenzhen Bao'an) | IST Istanbul | Requires transit via Hong Kong | — | — |
| MFM (Macau International) | IST Istanbul | Requires transit via Hong Kong | — | — |
Specific schedules are subject to booking confirmation; SZX/MFM cargo is usually connected via Hong Kong to Turkish Airlines TK freighters.
2.2 Transit Options
Transit via Istanbul (IST) or Dubai (DXB) to other cities in Turkey and surrounding regions:
- Domestic transfers in Turkey: IST → Ankara ESB / Izmir ADB / Antalya AYT
- Second leg to Europe: IST → Frankfurt FRA / London LHR / Paris CDG (can serve as an alternative channel to Europe)
- Middle East/North Africa second leg: IST → Tel Aviv TLV / Cairo CAI / Casablanca CMN
2.3 Features of Each Departure Airport
| Airport | Advantages | Suitable Cargo |
|---|---|---|
| CAN (Guangzhou Baiyun) | China Southern CZ main hub, direct Turkish Airlines TK flights, many wide-body freighters | Traditional general cargo, large-volume cargo |
| SZX (Shenzhen Bao'an) | Cross-border e-commerce express hub, convenient for electronics exports | E-commerce small parcels, high-value electronics |
| HKG (Hong Kong Chek Lap Kok) | World's busiest cargo airport, daily Turkish Airlines TK freighters, most comprehensive transit network | High-value cargo, international transit, temperature-controlled cargo |
| MFM (Macau International) | Short-haul auxiliary airport, transit via Hong Kong | Small-volume, non-urgent cargo |
III. Applicable Cargo Types
- General Cargo: Electronic products, mechanical equipment, auto parts, daily necessities
- Textiles: Fabrics, accessories, home textiles (Turkey has a developed textile industry, with stable import demand for accessories)
- Sensitive Cargo: Goods with built-in batteries, liquids and powders (non-dangerous goods level)
- Dangerous Goods: Lithium batteries (UN3480/UN3481, must be handled in accordance with the latest edition of IATA DGR)
- High-Value Cargo: Precision instruments, samples, exhibition goods (all-risk insurance recommended)
⚠️ Dangerous goods air transport must strictly comply with the latest edition of IATA DGR regulations. Please confirm booking 3-5 working days in advance. For details, see Complete Guide to Dangerous Goods Air Transport (DGR).
IV. Transport Terms and Customs Clearance Methods
Bofeng Logistics offers the following transport terms; customs clearance responsibilities vary by term:
| Terms | Origin Pickup | Air Freight Leg | Destination Port Customs Clearance | Final Delivery | Applicable Scenarios |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Door to Port | ✅ Door pickup | ✅ | ❌ Customer clears customs themselves | ❌ | Most common; customer has their own customs broker |
| Port to Port | ❌ Customer delivers goods to airport | ✅ | ❌ Customer clears customs themselves | ❌ | Customer delivers goods at origin |
| Port to Door | ❌ Customer delivers goods to airport | ✅ | ✅ Bofeng assists with customs clearance | ✅ | Customers requiring full-process service |
| Door to Door | ✅ Door pickup | ✅ | ✅ Bofeng assists with customs clearance | ✅ | One-stop worry-free solution |
Default is "Door to Port": Bofeng Logistics arranges door pickup and the international air freight leg. After the goods arrive at the destination port, the consignee clears customs and picks up the goods themselves. If destination port customs clearance and delivery services are required (Port to Door/Door to Door), please inform us in advance when placing the order; the customs clearance plan and fees will be manually confirmed.
- Consultation and Quotation → Provide cargo information (commodity name/weight/volume/pieces/HS code)
- Booking → Confirm space and lock in the freight rate
- Delivery/Pickup → Deliver to CAN/SZX/HKG/MFM airport cargo terminal or arrange door pickup
- Export Customs Declaration → Professional team handles export customs declaration procedures
- Palletization and Aircraft Loading → Perform palletization/ULD build-up according to airline standards
- Air Transportation → Real-time tracking of cargo status (airline system + Bofeng Logistics tracking platform)
- Turkey Customs Clearance → Turkish customs import clearance, including inspection (if required)
- Final Delivery → Door-to-door or warehouse-to-warehouse delivery (covering Istanbul, Ankara, Izmir, etc.)
V. Reference Transit Times
| Mode | Reference Transit Time | Description |
|---|---|---|
| Direct Air Freight | 4-6 days | Direct flights from HKG/CAN to IST, including delivery + customs declaration + flight + customs clearance + dispatch |
| Air Freight Transshipment | 5-7 days | Transship via IST/DXB to other cities in Turkey and onward routes to Europe and Africa |
| Air Express | 3-5 days | DHL/UPS/FedEx door-to-door, suitable for samples and small parcels |
Transit times are subject to factors such as flight schedules and Turkish customs inspections, and the actual time is subject to booking confirmation.
VI. Customs Declaration and Clearance
- Export customs declaration: Provide packing list, invoice, contract, and declaration elements; Bofeng Logistics' professional customs declaration team handles the entire process
- Turkish import customs clearance:
- Under "door-to-port/port-to-port" terms: The consignee handles customs clearance itself or entrusts a local customs broker
- Under "port-to-door/door-to-door" terms: Bofeng Logistics assists with customs clearance at the destination port; fees are to be confirmed separately (advance notice required)
- Turkish customs has VAT and tariff requirements for imported goods; the consignee must have a local tax number
- Categories such as electronics and textiles have a higher inspection rate; it is recommended to attach complete declaration documents
VII. Freight Charges
Freight charges are confirmed based on the actual cargo. The main factors affecting freight charges:
- Billing method: The greater of actual weight or volumetric weight (length cm × width cm × height cm ÷ 6000) is used
- Surcharges: Fuel surcharge, security screening fee (SSC), aviation security fee
- Peak season: Peak season surcharges usually apply during European holidays and the year-end peak season. It is recommended to book cargo space 2 weeks in advance
- Special requirements: Dangerous goods, temperature control, oversized items, etc., incur additional charges
For an accurate quote, please submit your cargo information to obtain a customized shipping solution.
Required Document Checklist
Air freight exports generally require the following documents; please prepare them in advance:
| Document | Description | Provider |
|---|---|---|
| Commercial Invoice | Details item name, quantity, unit price, total price, and HS code | Shipper |
| Packing List | Lists the number of pieces, gross weight, net weight, and dimensions of each carton | Shipper |
| Air Waybill (AWB) | Prepared by Bofeng Logistics on your behalf and issued after confirmation | Bofeng Logistics |
| Certificate of Origin | Required by some destination countries for tariff reduction or exemption | Shipper or chamber of commerce |
| Export Customs Declaration Authorization Letter | Authorizes Bofeng Logistics to handle customs declaration as agent | Shipper |
Specific document requirements vary by destination country and cargo type. When placing an order, customer service will provide complete guidance on the document checklist.
8. Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)
Q: How far in advance do I need to book space for shipments from the Pearl River Delta to Turkey? A: It is recommended to book 3-5 working days in advance; during peak season, 1-2 weeks in advance is recommended. Space on Istanbul routes is relatively tight during peak season.
Q: How do I pick up cargo after air freight arrives at a Turkish airport? A: The goods can be picked up after they arrive at airports such as IST/SAW and are released by Turkish customs. Bofeng Logistics can assist with destination customs clearance, pickup, and delivery services.
Q: Can Turkey be used as a transit point for going to Europe? A: Yes. Istanbul is a transit hub for Europe, Asia, and Africa. Some destinations in Europe, the Middle East, and North Africa can be transshipped via IST as a second leg. Specific availability is subject to booking confirmation.
Q: How do I choose between air freight and sea freight to Turkey? A: Air freight is suitable for high-value, urgent cargo (4-7 days); sea freight is suitable for large-volume, cost-sensitive cargo (25-40 days). It can also be combined with rail solutions such as the China-Europe Railway Express. See Sea Freight vs. Air Freight Comparison.
9. Further Reading
- Starting from the Pearl River Delta: A Guide to Connecting with Major Global Air Freight Routes and Hubs
- Guangzhou/Shenzhen/Hong Kong/Macau: In-Depth Comparison of the Four Major Air Freight Ports in the Pearl River Delta
- Air Freight Billing Methods: Detailed Explanation of Volumetric Weight (DIM)
- Complete Guide to Cross-Border E-Commerce Air Freight Warehouse Delivery (FBA Air Freight)
- View All International Air Freight Logistics Dedicated Lines
10. Contact Us
- Phone: 130-7567-8958
- Email: info@zhbfwl.com
- Online Inquiry: Get an Air Freight Quote
Related Routes: Pearl River Delta–Germany International Air Freight Logistics Dedicated Line ｜ Pearl River Delta–UAE International Air Freight Logistics Dedicated Line
Bofeng Logistics Air Freight Team ｜ Last Updated: 2026-10-09 ｜ 20 years of international logistics experience, providing one-stop international air freight solutions for you.