Overview 

The land border crossing in İpsala is a major commercial crossing between Greece and Türkiye. It is located on the Evros River, which forms most of the land border between the two countries. The border crossing is open 24 hours a day.  

This border handles an average 400 trucks a day, constraints such as drivers having to leave the truck to get approval from various authorities in the border as well as lack of harmonization of customs regulations and lack of personnel have been mentioned by transporters. 

Daily Capacity 

The existence of one lane only for trucks crossing causes delays and allows the crossing of approximately 400 trucks daily. Private cars are provided a separate lane at the Kipi border gate. This lane is typically shorter than the lanes for buses and trucks, so private cars tend to have a shorter wait time at the border. 

Customs Clearance 

For more information on customs in Türkiye, please see the following link: 1.3 Customs Information.   

To obtain customs clearance at the İpsala border gate, you will need to provide the following documentation: 

• Valid passport or other travel document 

• Customs declaration form 

• A commercial invoice 

• Bill of lading 

• Packing list 

• Any other documentation that may be required by the Turkish or Greek customs authorities 

The customs declaration form can be obtained from the Turkish or Greek customs authorities at the border crossing. The commercial invoice should be issued by the exporter of the goods. The bill of lading should be issued by the shipping company that transported the goods. The packing list should list the contents of the shipment. 

There are a few potential delays or restrictions that you may encounter when obtaining customs clearance at the Kipi border gate. These include: 

• The type of goods: Customs clearance can be more time-consuming for certain types of goods, such as agricultural products or hazardous materials.  

• The inspection: Trucks will be subject to inspection upon entering the country. This can add to the time it takes to clear customs. 

The fees charged for customs clearance at the İpsala border gate vary depending on the type of goods and the value of the shipment. For trucks, the fees are typically around USD 100 per truck. 

It is important to note that the requirements for customs clearance at the Kipi border gate may change from time to time. It is always best to check with the Turkish or Greek customs authorities for the latest requirements. 

Other Relevant Information 

For more information on government contact details, please see the following link: 4.1 Government Contact List.