The Gulf of İskenderun, in Hatay province on Turkey's eastern Mediterranean coast, is one of the country's busiest gateways for international trade. Cargo arriving here serves the industrial cities of southern and southeastern Turkey and moves on to inland markets. For importers, a smooth operation in İskenderun depends less on the sea voyage than on what happens after the vessel arrives. This guide walks through the import journey step by step and highlights where time and money are most often lost.
Why İskenderun?
İskenderun's value comes from its location and its hinterland. The gulf is home to several port facilities serving container, bulk and general cargo, and it sits close to major production and consumption centres such as Hatay, Adana, Osmaniye, Gaziantep and Kahramanmaraş. The region is also known for heavy industry, including iron and steel.
For importers, this means short inland distances to many customers in the region and a choice of port facilities. It also means busy periods, when good planning makes a real difference.
The Import Journey Step by Step
1. Before the vessel arrives
Preparation starts well before arrival:
- Confirm the vessel's estimated time of arrival (ETA) with the shipping line or agent.
- Check that the bill of lading, commercial invoice, packing list and any certificates are complete and consistent.
- Send documents to your customs broker early, so the declaration can be prepared in advance.
- Ask the line about your free time for containers and where empties must be returned.
2. Berthing and discharge
On arrival, the vessel is berthed with pilotage, towage and mooring services, and the cargo is discharged. For bulk and break-bulk cargo, discharge planning and quay-side coordination matter as much as the paperwork.
3. Delivery order and local charges
Before cargo or containers can leave the port, the consignee usually needs a delivery order (ordino in Turkish) from the shipping line or its agent. This typically requires local charges to be settled. Building this step into your timeline avoids idle days at the terminal.
4. Customs clearance
Your customs broker files the import declaration, and any inspections or document checks are carried out. Duties and taxes are paid at this stage. Timing depends on the goods, the documents and whether a physical inspection is required, so allow a buffer in your plan. You can get a rough idea of duties with our Customs Duty Calculator.
5. Port-to-warehouse haulage
Once cleared, the cargo leaves the port. Moving it quickly to a warehouse close to the port reduces terminal storage charges and container demurrage. This is often called an off-dock approach.
6. Storage, sorting and onward delivery
At the warehouse, cargo is received, counted, palletised and stored. From there it can be dispatched in batches to different buyers. Containers can be unloaded promptly and returned empty, which helps keep detention charges under control.
Common Delays and How to Avoid Them
| Delay | How to avoid it |
|---|---|
| Missing or inconsistent documents | Check documents before the vessel sails or arrives |
| Late delivery order | Plan payment of local charges in advance |
| No truck available on release day | Book haulage before clearance is completed |
| No space at the consignee | Use a nearby warehouse as a buffer |
| Late empty container return | Unload quickly and know the empty depot in advance |
Understanding Port-Related Costs
Beyond ocean freight, importers in any Turkish port should expect several cost items. Exact amounts vary by terminal, line and contract, but the main categories are:
- Terminal handling and port storage charges, collected by the port operator
- Container demurrage, charged by the line when a full container stays at the terminal beyond free time
- Container detention, charged by the line when a container is kept outside the terminal beyond free time
- Haulage from the port to the warehouse or consignee
- Customs brokerage and any inspection-related costs
- Warehousing and handling, if the cargo is stored before final delivery
The fastest way to cut these costs is to shorten the time between discharge and empty return. Our Freight Calculator can help you estimate the freight side of the picture.
Bulk and Break-Bulk Cargo
Not every import arrives in a container. For bulk and break-bulk cargo, the key questions are discharge rate, quay-side handling and how quickly the cargo can be moved away from the berth. Coordinating discharge, haulage and storage as one plan avoids congestion at the quay and keeps vessel time under control.
Choosing a Logistics Partner in İskenderun
A good partner should be able to:
- Coordinate berthing, discharge, haulage and storage as one operation
- Work closely with licensed customs brokers and ship agents
- Offer storage close to the port, with enough covered space and loading capacity
- Be reachable when things change, including outside office hours
- Be clear about which cargo it can and cannot accept
How NarinPort Supports Importers in İskenderun
NarinPort is a modern logistics centre located closest to İskenderun Port, and positions itself as the reference logistics hub of the Eastern Mediterranean. We coordinate:
- Port services: vessel berthing, discharging and loading, port-to-warehouse haulage and weighbridge/VGM
- Container haulage with contracted, licensed carriers
- Customs and agency processes, handled by our contracted customs broker and ship agent, with NarinPort as your single point of contact
- Warehousing in our non-bonded facility
Our facility offers 7,000+ m² of covered space on a 10-decare (~10,750 m²) site, 5,000+ pallet positions on 6-level racking, 8 hydraulic ramps and forklifts. It is protected by 120+ HD cameras, fire detection and suppression, and 24/7 security, and our warehouses are insured. We offer short-term and long-term storage, palletising and handling. General cargo is accepted; dangerous goods (IMO/ADR) are not.
Frequently Asked Questions
What documents do I need to import through İskenderun? Typically a bill of lading, commercial invoice and packing list, plus any certificates required for your goods. Your customs broker will confirm the exact list for your shipment.
How long does customs clearance take? It depends on the goods, the completeness of documents and whether an inspection is required. Allow a buffer in your plan and send documents to your broker early.
How can I reduce demurrage and detention? Agree on free time when booking, prepare documents before arrival, move cleared containers out of the port quickly, and unload and return empties promptly.
Is NarinPort a bonded warehouse? No. NarinPort is a non-bonded warehouse; customs formalities are coordinated with our contracted customs broker.
Can NarinPort store dangerous goods? No. Dangerous goods (IMO/ADR classes) are not accepted.
Plan Your Next Import Through İskenderun With Us
Share your vessel ETA, cargo type and volume, and we will help you plan the flow from berth to warehouse with one point of contact.
📞 +90 326 614 66 67 · ✉️ info@narinport.com.tr · Contact us