If you import into Turkey or export through a Turkish port, sooner or later you will face a simple-sounding question: should your cargo go to a bonded warehouse or a non-bonded one? The two terms are often used loosely, but they lead to very different outcomes for customs status, duty timing and day-to-day operations. This guide explains what each type of warehouse is, how they differ, and how to decide which one fits your shipment.
What Is a Non-Bonded Warehouse?
A non-bonded warehouse is a storage facility that is not under customs supervision. It holds goods that are in free circulation in Turkey. In practice, that means one of two things:
- Imported goods whose customs clearance has already been completed and whose duties and taxes have been paid, or
- Domestic goods produced in Turkey, for example products waiting to be exported.
From a customs point of view, goods in a non-bonded warehouse are already "inside" the country. Moving them in and out follows commercial and operational rules; you do not need a customs procedure for every movement.
What happens in a non-bonded warehouse?
- Short-term and long-term storage
- Palletising, location assignment and stock records
- Handling: loading, unloading and stacking
- Preparing partial shipments to different buyers
- Coordinating haulage between the port, the warehouse and the consignee
What Is a Bonded Warehouse (Antrepo)?
A bonded warehouse, called an antrepo in Turkish, is a facility authorised by the customs administration and operated under customs supervision. Imported goods can be stored there, under certain conditions, before duties and taxes are paid and before the goods are released into free circulation. When the goods leave the bonded warehouse for the Turkish market, customs formalities are completed and the duties become payable.
The types of bonded warehouses, their operating conditions and the rules on storage periods are set by Turkish customs legislation. Because the details depend on the goods and the warehouse type, you should always confirm them with a licensed customs broker.
Non-Bonded vs Bonded: Side-by-Side
| Topic | Non-bonded warehouse | Bonded warehouse (antrepo) |
|---|---|---|
| Customs supervision | No | Yes |
| Status of goods | In free circulation / domestic | Not yet released into free circulation |
| Duties and taxes | Already paid (for imports) | Paid when goods leave for the domestic market |
| Movements in and out | Commercial rules | Tied to customs procedures |
| Licensing | No bonded-warehouse licence needed | Customs authorisation required |
Duty timing
This is the decisive difference. Importers use a bonded warehouse when they want to defer duties. In a non-bonded warehouse, the duty question is already settled; the warehouse is there to keep the goods safe and to plan onward deliveries.
Operational flexibility
Because movements in a non-bonded warehouse are not tied to customs procedures, partial dispatches, sorting by consignee and stock changes can usually be planned more flexibly.
Which One Do You Need?
A non-bonded warehouse is usually the right fit if…
- Your imported goods are already cleared and you plan to sell them in batches.
- You want to consolidate domestic products near the port before an export loading.
- You want to move cleared cargo out of the port quickly and keep it in a facility under your own control.
A bonded warehouse may be needed if…
- You want to hold imported goods without paying duties yet.
- The final buyer or destination is not yet decided and the goods must stay under customs supervision.
We recommend reviewing your cargo's status with your customs broker before choosing.
How Cargo Typically Reaches a Non-Bonded Warehouse
A typical import flow looks like this:
- The vessel berths and the cargo is discharged.
- The customs broker files the declaration, any checks are completed and duties are paid.
- The cleared cargo is collected from the port and hauled to the warehouse.
- The cargo is received, palletised, assigned a location and added to stock.
- It is dispatched in batches as orders come in.
A non-bonded warehouse close to the port shortens step 3. Cargo spends less time at the terminal, which helps reduce pressure from port storage charges and container demurrage.
Using a Non-Bonded Warehouse for Exports
Exporters benefit too. Products from different Turkish suppliers can be gathered in one place near the port, palletised and checked before the vessel's cut-off. This avoids last-minute rushes, makes the loading plan clearer and lets you inspect quantities and condition before the cargo goes to the terminal. Export declarations are still handled by your customs broker.
What to Check When Choosing a Warehouse in Turkey
- Distance to the port: It directly affects haulage time and cost.
- Covered area and racking: Multi-level pallet racking makes better use of space.
- Loading capacity: The number of hydraulic ramps decides how many trucks can work at once.
- Security: CCTV coverage, fire detection and suppression, and 24/7 security.
- Insurance: Whether stored goods are insured.
- Accepted cargo: Not every warehouse accepts every cargo; always ask about dangerous goods.
- One point of contact: A team that coordinates port, haulage, customs and storage.
NarinPort: The Closest Non-Bonded Warehouse to İskenderun Port
NarinPort is a non-bonded warehouse located closest to İskenderun Port, on Turkey's eastern Mediterranean coast. It is not a bonded or customs warehouse.
- 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 for loading and unloading
- 120+ HD cameras, fire detection and suppression, and 24/7 security
- Insured warehouses
- Short-term and long-term storage, palletising and handling
- General cargo accepted; dangerous goods (IMO/ADR) are not accepted
Customs formalities are handled by our contracted customs broker, and agency work by our contracted ship agent; NarinPort coordinates them with the port, haulage and storage steps. Learn more on our Warehousing Services, Customs Services and Facilities pages.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is a non-bonded warehouse the same as a bonded warehouse? No. A bonded warehouse (antrepo) is under customs supervision and holds imported goods whose duties have not been paid. A non-bonded warehouse holds goods that are already in free circulation or produced domestically.
Can imported goods be stored in a non-bonded warehouse? Yes, once their customs clearance is complete and they are in free circulation.
Can I send uncleared cargo to NarinPort? NarinPort is a non-bonded warehouse. Customs formalities are coordinated with our contracted customs broker, and cargo enters our warehouse once clearance is complete. Share your shipment details and we will plan the process with you.
What cargo does NarinPort accept? General cargo. Dangerous goods (IMO/ADR classes) are not accepted.
Are goods stored at NarinPort insured? Yes, goods stored in our warehouses are insured.
Let's Plan the Right Storage for Your Cargo
Tell us about your cargo, volume and timing, and we will put together a storage plan near İskenderun Port.
📞 +90 326 614 66 67 · ✉️ info@narinport.com.tr · Contact us