The United Kingdom is home to one of the largest Turkish and Turkish Cypriot communities outside Turkey, concentrated mainly in North and East London. Every year, thousands of people need to move a car between the UK and Turkey β after a summer holiday, a permanent relocation, an inheritance, or simply because the vehicle will be used by family in Turkey. This guide explains, step by step, everything you need to know: the two shipping methods, realistic timelines and costs, the customs and temporary import rules, the documents you need, and how the process works in practice.
1. Two ways to ship a car from the UK to Turkey
There are two fundamentally different ways to get a vehicle from the UK to Turkey, and most of the confusion in online searches comes from mixing them up:
| Method | How it works | Typical duration |
|---|---|---|
| RoRo (Roll-on/Roll-off) shipping | You drive the car to a UK port yourself. It is loaded onto a ferry/RoRo vessel and you (or someone else) collect it at a Turkish port such as Izmit, Izmir or Mersin. | 14-21 days, depending on sailing schedules |
| Door-to-door network transport (LUNVAX Logistics) | The vehicle is collected directly from your UK address by an enclosed or open car carrier and delivered directly to your address in Turkey. No port visits, no driving. | 8-10 business days |
If you simply want your car to arrive at a Turkish port and don't mind collecting it yourself, RoRo can work. If you want the vehicle picked up from your door in London (or anywhere else in the UK) and delivered to a specific address in Turkey without any port logistics on either end, a door-to-door network service is the faster and simpler option.
2. How long does it take and what does it cost?
With LUNVAX Logistics' door-to-door network, transport from the UK to Turkey typically takes 8-10 business days. Cost depends on the vehicle type, size and exact pickup/delivery addresses β there is no fixed published rate because every route is different. Send your vehicle details via WhatsApp and you will receive a clear, no-hidden-fees quote within 30 minutes.
Demand rises sharply during the summer season (June-August) and around Eid holidays, when many Turkish families travel between the UK and Turkey. We recommend booking at least 2-3 weeks in advance during these periods.
3. Customs and temporary import rules in Turkey
If you plan to bring a UK-registered (foreign-plated) vehicle into Turkey, the following rules under Turkish customs law apply:
- You must have spent at least 185 days abroad (e.g. in the UK) during the past 12 months
- The vehicle may stay in Turkey for a maximum of 730 days (24 months) under temporary importation
- Required documents: vehicle registration document (V5C), valid driving licence, valid vehicle insurance (green card or border insurance), passport/ID card and proof of residence abroad
- The remaining stay duration can be checked online via the "YabancΔ± PlakalΔ± TaΕΔ±t Δ°Εlemleri" e-services module of the Turkish Ministry of Trade
When LUNVAX Logistics handles your transport, you also receive up-to-date guidance tailored to your specific situation regarding customs and temporary importation.
4. Damaged, non-running or electric (EV) vehicles
A non-running, accident-damaged or electric vehicle is not a problem: with flatbed transport, the vehicle is loaded onto a special platform without needing to start the engine, and transported safely from the UK to Turkey. For electric vehicles, all necessary battery safety measures are taken during loading and transit.
5. The LUNVAX Logistics process β 5 steps
- Contact: message us on WhatsApp or call β share your UK pickup address, Turkish delivery address, vehicle details and preferred timeframe
- Quote: receive a personalised, transparent quote within 30 minutes
- Planning: the pickup date and address are confirmed, and the vehicle's condition (running / damaged / EV) is documented
- Transport: your vehicle is shipped from the UK to Turkey, fully insured, on an enclosed or open car carrier; status can be tracked via WhatsApp
- Delivery: your vehicle is delivered to your address in Turkey, and a handover report is prepared
6. Serving the UK's Turkish communities
LUNVAX Logistics regularly serves the parts of the UK with the largest Turkish and Turkish Cypriot populations, mainly in North and East London β including the Green Lanes corridor that runs through Haringey and Enfield, widely regarded as one of the largest Turkish high streets in Europe. Find route and delivery details for your area below:
7. Why choose LUNVAX Logistics?
LUNVAX Logistics is a professional logistics and vehicle transport company with a wide operating network between Turkey and the UK, Germany, France, the Netherlands, Belgium, the Nordic countries and many other European countries. Fully insured door-to-door transport, special flatbed solutions for damaged/EV vehicles, and 24/7 support in Turkish and English make LUNVAX Logistics a trusted choice for Turkish families across London and the wider UK who need to move a vehicle to or from Turkey.
Summary: UK to Turkey car shipping
- Door-to-door network transport: 8-10 business days
- RoRo port-to-port shipping: 14-21 days
- Full insurance, live status updates via WhatsApp
- Flatbed transport available for damaged / non-running / electric vehicles
- Customs rules: 185-day rule, 730-day stay limit
- Book 2-3 weeks ahead during summer and Eid travel periods
To get a quote for vehicle transport between the UK and Turkey, message us now on WhatsApp or visit our UK vehicle transport page.