Overview

Türkiye has land borders with 8 countries: Bulgaria, Greece, Georgia, Iran, Iraq, Syria, and Azerbaijan. Of these, there are 12 land border crossing points that allow for the crossing of people and vehicles between Europe and Türkiye. 

Kapıkule: is the busiest land border crossing point in Europe, with over 4 million people and 400,000 vehicles crossing each year. It is located in Edirne Province, Türkiye, and connects to the Bulgarian border crossing point of Kapitan Andreevo. Kapıkule is open 24 hours a day, 7 days a week. 

Hamzabeyli: is the second busiest land border crossing point between Türkiye and Europe. It is located in Edirne Province, Türkiye, and connects to the Bulgarian border crossing point of Lesovo. Hamzabeyli is open from 6am to 10pm, 7 days a week. 

Dereköy: is a smaller land border crossing point located in Edirne Province, Türkiye. It connects to the Bulgarian border crossing point of Trnovo.  

İpsala: is a land border crossing point located in Edirne Province, Türkiye. It connects to the Greek border crossing point of Kipoi. 

Edirne-Keşan: is a land border crossing point located in Edirne Province, Türkiye. It connects to the Greek border crossing point of Feres.  

Meriç: is a land border crossing point located in Edirne Province, Türkiye. It connects to the Greek border crossing point of Ormenio.  

Edirne-Pehlivanköy: is a land border crossing point located in Edirne Province, Türkiye. It connects to the Bulgarian border crossing point of Malko Tarnovo.  

When crossing the border between Türkiye and Europe, it is important to have the correct documentation. For citizens of most European countries, a valid passport or national identity card will be sufficient. However, some countries may require a visa, so it is always best to check with the Turkish embassy or consulate in your home country before traveling. 

The Kapıkule border crossing between Türkiye and Bulgaria has more truck movement than any other border crossing between Türkiye and Europe. In 2021, the Kapıkule border crossing handled an average of 1,800 trucks per day. The next busiest border crossing between Türkiye and Europe is the Hamzabeyli border crossing between Türkiye and Bulgaria, which handled an average of 1,500 trucks per day in 2021. 

The Kapıkule border crossing is located in the European part of Türkiye, near the city of Edirne. It is the main land route for trade between Türkiye and Europe. The Hamzabeyli border crossing is also located in the European part of Türkiye, near the city of Edirne. It is the second busiest land route for trade between Türkiye and Europe. 

The increased truck movement at the Kapıkule border crossing is due to several factors. First, the Turkish government has been investing in infrastructure improvements at the crossing in recent years. This has made it easier and faster for trucks to cross the border. Second, the European Union has been working to improve security in the region. This has made it more attractive for businesses to trade between Türkiye and Europe. 

Main challenges with cross-border inland (From/to Europe): 

Permits: Turkish trucks need permits to enter destination countries. There is a limited number of permits available (quota for Turkish trucks is imposed by some European countries), so Turkish trucks may have to wait, use longer routes or pay a fine if they cross a country without a permit. 

Visas: Drivers also need visas to enter destination countries. This can be a challenge, as the visa process can be time-consuming. 

Balance between Türkiye and Europe: There is a shortage of trucks in Europe, which makes it difficult for Turkish trucks to find return shipments. 

Border operations: The borders are mostly operational 24/7, but there are often long queues, which can lead to delays in crossing the border. 

Overview 

Reyhanlı border crossing is located on the Türkiye-Syria border about 50 km (31 mi) west of Aleppo in northwest Syria. It connects the Turkish D827 and the Syrian M45 highways, between the cities of İskenderun and Idlib. The closest town on the Turkish side of the border is Reyhanlı in Hatay Province, and the closest towns on the Syrian side are Ad-Dana and Atarib. 

Since 2014, in order to support the humanitarian community to access vulnerable populations and preposition relief supplies, the Logistics Cluster has been facilitating the transshipment of UN agencies’ humanitarian cargo being transported into Syria through UNSC-authorised border crossings. Transshipment operations are supervised by the United Nations Monitoring Mechanism (UNMM). 

Daily Capacity 

The transshipment capacity of the hubs is approx. 100 trucks per day. 

Customs Clearance 

As of July 2023, the current customs procedure for Humanitarian Cargo is processed as commercial practice and has no consideration for humanitarian cargo in Türkiye.  

1. When purchased in Türkiye, the seller declares the items as export. 

2. All transit cargo requires a commercial invoice for customs purposes, and this allows the clearing/forwarding agent to act as cargo owner (consignee not agent of the consignee). 

The implication of these processes is that no Customs declaration document exists in the name of the cargo owner (humanitarian actor). 

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

Other Relevant Information 

Standard Operating Procedures (SOPs) - UN Cross-border Operations from Türkiye to Syria can be found here  

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

Overview 

Cobanbey border crossing is located on the Türkiye-Syria border about 4.4 km south of the city of Elbeyli - Kilis, and north of the Syrian border crossing Al Ra’ee. 

Daily Capacity 

Customs Clearance 

As of July 2023, the current customs procedure for Humanitarian Cargo is processed as commercial practice and has no consideration for humanitarian cargo in Türkiye.  

1. When purchased in Türkiye, the seller declares the items as export. 

2. All transit cargo requires a commercial invoice for customs purposes, and this allows the clearing/forwarding agent to act as cargo owner (consignee not agent of the consignee). 

The implication of these processes is that no Customs declaration document exists in the name of the cargo owner (humanitarian actor). 

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

Other Relevant Information 

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

Overview 

Habur is a border crossing point between Türkiye and Iraq. It is also called (Khabur Gate). Before the control point and gate, there is a bridge crossing the Khabur River, which forms the natural border between Iraq and Türkiye. The crossing is located to the south of the town of Silopi. 

Daily Capacity 

Habur border crossing is among the busiest border checkpoints in the world and Türkiye’s largest gateway to the Middle East - the Habur border checkpoint, has a total of 2,200 entry-exit capacity per day. 

Customs Clearance 

• There is free passage for the Turkish/Iraqi trucks for entering/loading. 

• Customs clearance formalities can be done fully in Silopi customs point. For ‘In Transit’ cargo, it is recommended that the declaration to be conducted at the loading point and move to the border for inspection. 

•  The average stoppage time for trucks is from 48: 36 hours.  

• Habur border crossing is the only crossing border between the two countries for commercial & humanitarian trucks.  

• The parking area capacity -that is located before the crossing border to avoid any congestion -   is 2500 trucks.  

• The inspection inside Habur border crossing is done by X-Ray & physical inspection.  

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

Other Relevant Information 

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

Overview 

Gürbulak border crossing is located on the Türkiye-Iran border, known on the Iranian side of the border as Bazargan. Gürbulak border crossing is 35 km south-east of the city of Dogubayazit. Gürbulak is the busiest border crossing between the two countries and It’s open 24/7 

Daily Capacity 

3000 people and 400-500 trucks cross Gürbulak checkpoint daily 

Customs Clearance 

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

Other Relevant Information 

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

Overview 

Sarp Border Gate is the border gate between Türkiye and Georgia on the Black Sea coast. Sarp Border Gate, located 15 km east of Hopa district, is important not only as a gate to Georgia but also as a border gate on the highway that opens to all Caucasus and Central Asian countries. The Sarp Border Gate has a total area of ​​36,000 m2. Since 10 December 2011, Turkish and Georgian citizens can pass to Türkiye and Georgia with just their identity card, without the need for a passport. 

Daily Capacity 

Since 10 December 2011, Turkish and Georgian citizens can pass to Türkiye and Georgia with just their identity card, without the need for a passport therefore, the border services 25,000 people and 2700 Cars/trucks per day.  

Customs Clearance 

• Customs formalities must be done at the nearest city customs point (Hopa – 15 KM distance). 

• The stoppage time for trucks and cargo is from 1-2 days. 

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

Other Relevant Information 

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

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. 

 Overview 

Hamzabeyli: is the second busiest land border crossing point between Türkiye and Europe. It is located in Edirne Province, Türkiye, and connects to the Bulgarian border crossing point of Lesovo.  

When crossing the border between Türkiye and Europe, it is important to have the correct documentation. For citizens of most European countries, a valid passport or national identity card will be sufficient. However, some countries may require a visa, so it is always best to check with the Turkish embassy or consulate in your home country before traveling. 

The second busiest border crossing between Türkiye and Europe is the Hamzabeyli border crossing between Türkiye and Bulgaria, which handled an average of 1,500 trucks per day in 2021. The Hamzabeyli border crossing is located in the European part of Türkiye, near the city of Edirne. It is the second busiest land route for trade between Türkiye and Europe. 

Daily Capacity 

The Hamzabeyli Sınır Kapısı daily capacity of the border crossing is 2,000 vehicles. Private cars are provided a separate lane at the Hamzabeyli Sınır Kapısı. This lane is usually shorter than the lane for commercial vehicles, and it can help to speed up the crossing process. 

The level of traffic at the Hamzabeyli Sınır Kapısı varies depending on the time of year. During the summer months, when there is more tourism activity, the border crossing can be very busy. During the winter months, traffic is usually lighter. 

In addition to private cars and commercial vehicles, the Hamzabeyli Sınır Kapısı also handles the crossing of buses and trucks. 

Customs Clearance 

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

The customs clearance process at Hamzabeyli Sınır Kapısı can be delayed for a number of reasons, including: 

• The volume of traffic at the border crossing 

• The type of goods being imported or exported 

• The need for additional documentation 

• The need for inspection of the goods 

In some cases, the customs clearance process can be further delayed if the goods are subject to import or export restrictions. For example, some goods, such as weapons and drugs, are prohibited from import or export. Other goods may be subject to quotas or other restrictions. 

The following documentation is required to obtain customs clearance at Hamzabeyli Sınır Kapısı: 

• Commercial invoice 

• Packing list 

• Certificate of origin 

• Import license (if required) 

• Export license (if required) 

• Health certificate (if required) 

• Phytosanitary certificate (if required) 

The regulatory authority that has established these requirements is the Turkish Customs and Trade Ministry. 

The customs clearance fees at Hamzabeyli Sınır Kapısı vary depending on the type of goods being imported or exported. For trucks, the fees are typically around USD 50 per truck. 

In addition to the documentation and fees listed above, trucks will be subject to inspection upon entering the country.  

Other Relevant Information 

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

The approximate waiting time at the Hamzabeyli Border varies depending on the time of day, the volume of traffic, and the type of goods being transported. During peak hours, it is not uncommon to wait for several hours to cross the border. 

Overview 

Kapıkule: is the busiest land border crossing point in Europe, with over 4 million people and 400,000 vehicles crossing each year. It is located in Edirne Province, Türkiye, and connects to the Bulgarian border crossing point of Kapitan Andreevo. Kapıkule is open 24 hours a day, 7 days a week. 

The Kapıkule border crossing between Türkiye and Bulgaria has more truck movement than any other border crossing between Türkiye and Europe. In 2021, the Kapıkule border crossing handled an average of 1,800 trucks per day. The next busiest border crossing between Türkiye and Europe is the Hamzabeyli border crossing between Türkiye and Bulgaria, which handled an average of 1,500 trucks per day in 2021. 

The Kapıkule border crossing is located in the European part of Türkiye, near the city of Edirne. It is the main land route for trade between Türkiye and Europe. The increased truck movement at the Kapıkule border crossing is due to several factors. First, the Turkish government has been investing in infrastructure improvements at the crossing in recent years. This has made it easier and faster for trucks to cross the border. Second, the European Union has been working to improve security in the region. This has made it more attractive for businesses to trade between Türkiye and Europe. 

Daily Capacity 

• The Kapıkule Border is a major border crossing between Türkiye and Bulgaria. It is the busiest border crossing in Türkiye, with an average of 1,250 trucks and 10,000 cars crossing each day. 

• Private cars are not provided a separate lane at the Kapıkule Border. All vehicles must use the same lanes. 

• The level of traffic leaving the country is higher than the level of traffic entering the country. In 2021, an average of 7,500 trucks left Türkiye through the Kapıkule Border each day, while an average of 5,000 trucks entered Türkiye. 

The level of traffic at the Kapıkule Border varies depending on the time of year. Traffic is typically heavier in the summer months, when there is more tourism and trade. The level of traffic at the Kapıkule Border is relatively consistent throughout the month of January. However, there is a slight increase in traffic on the 3rd and 4th of January. This may be due to the fact that the 3rd of January is New Year's Day, and the 4th of January is a public holiday in Türkiye. 

Customs Clearance 

Potential delays or restrictions: Customs clearance at the Kapıkule Border can be delayed due to a number of factors, including: 

• Heavy traffic 

• Customs inspections 

• Lack of documentation 

• Commodities that are subject to import restrictions 

Documentation required: The following documentation is required to clear goods at the Kapıkule Border: 

• Commercial invoice 

• Bill of lading 

• Certificate of origin 

• Import license (if required) 

• Phytosanitary certificate (if required) 

• Certificate of analysis (if required) 

• Other documentation as required by the Turkish Customs Authority 

Regulatory authority: The Turkish Customs Authority is the regulatory authority that has established the requirements for customs clearance at the Kapıkule Border. 

Fees: The customs fees at the Kapıkule Border are USD 100. 

Trucks will be subject to inspection upon entering the country. The inspection may include a physical inspection of the goods, as well as a review of the documentation. Main challenges related to food items which needs to be taken to Sofia, Bulgaria for laboratory testing before crossing the border, which may result on a 3-4 days wait at a border for clearance to be completed. 

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

Other Relevant Information 

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