Al Mellah International Shipping (0580402747) ships cars from Riyadh to Turkey on a hydraulic flatbed or enclosed carrier to Jeddah Islamic Port, then by sea, RoRo to Derince or Iskenderun or in a container to Mersin or Istanbul, in 3 to 5 weeks. But we start with something many companies won’t tell you: shipping a used car to Turkey isn’t the best-value option in most cases, and we’ll help you find out whether yours is one of them.
Many Riyadh residents own flats in Turkey and ask about taking their cars for the summer, while others think of selling their cars there. Turkey levies a very high special consumption tax on imported cars and restricts permanent import of used ones. So the right question may not be “what does shipping cost?” but “is shipping the solution at all?”. This guide answers frankly, then explains shipping for those whose situation suits it.
🤔 Is shipping your car to Turkey worth it?
| Your goal | The reality | Our advice |
|---|---|---|
| Using it in summer | Limited temporary entry during the year, no sale or rental, with insurance covering Turkey | Compare round-trip shipping with renting a car there |
| Selling it in Turkey | Usually impractical; restrictions and taxes make it dearer than the Turkish market | Sell it in Riyadh |
| Turkish citizen returning for good | Possible with conditions: 24 months abroad, a car in their name for 6 months, 3 years old or less | Calculate the set taxes before shipping |
| Foreigner moving to reside | Usually temporary entry tied to residence; permanent import is restricted and costly | Check with the Turkish embassy in Riyadh |
☀️ A car for the summer: round-trip shipping or renting?
| Item | Shipping your car | Renting in Turkey |
|---|---|---|
| Cost | Round-trip shipping plus insurance and procedures | Monthly rent by category and city |
| Time | 3–5 weeks each way | Immediate on arrival |
| Procedures | Temporary entry, Turkish insurance and keeping to the period | A rental contract only |
| Risk | Penalties for overstaying the permitted period | Minimal |
| Best for | Those spending long months who need their particular car | Most summer-flat owners |
For most summer-flat owners in Istanbul, Bursa and Trabzon, renting is cheaper and simpler. Those who spend most of the year there or own a special car with no substitute may find shipping justified.
🚢 If you decide to ship: RoRo or container?
| Method | Arrival port | Best for |
|---|---|---|
| RoRo | Derince (Kocaeli) or Iskenderun | One empty car, for eastern Marmara or the south |
| 20 ft container | Mersin or Istanbul Ambarli | Full protection for a new or luxury car |
| 40 ft with furniture | Mersin or Istanbul | A returning Turk with car and home |
We give a figure after reviewing your case, method and port, because shipping may not be the best-value option for you.
How to get the lowest total cost
🛣️ The car’s journey from Riyadh to Turkey
| Stage | Where | Approx. duration |
|---|---|---|
| Reviewing your case | With us and the Turkish embassy | Before any step |
| Fines and lien release | Absher and the bank | Depends on the case |
| Export plates | Riyadh traffic | One to two days |
| Transport to Jeddah | Hydraulic flatbed or enclosed carrier | Two to three days |
| Sailing | Jeddah → Mersin, Derince or Iskenderun | Two to three weeks |
| Clearance and delivery | The Turkish port | Days, depending on the file |
⚓ The arrival port for your city
| Your destination | Best port |
|---|---|
| Istanbul | Ambarli (containers) or Derince (RoRo) |
| Bursa, Sapanca, Izmit and Yalova | Derince |
| Mersin, Adana and Antalya | Mersin |
| Gaziantep and Antakya | Iskenderun |
| Trabzon and the Black Sea | Istanbul, then by road |
🔑 Preparing the car in Riyadh
🇹🇷 For a returning Turk: the steps
A Turkish citizen who has lived abroad for 24 months or more can bring in a car registered in their name for at least 6 months and 3 years old or less, paying the set taxes. It can ship with their furniture in a 40 ft container, so used furniture comes under the returnee exemption and the car with its taxes in the same file.
🛡️ Marine insurance
We issue marine insurance on the declared value from loading in Riyadh to delivery in Turkey, and photograph the car before sealing or boarding. For temporary entry you also need motor insurance covering Turkey for the whole stay.
🔄 Returning with the car after summer
Anyone shipping a car to Turkey on temporary entry needs a plan to return it before the permitted period ends. We book the return sailing in advance from the same port, collect the car from your address in Turkey or the port, and bring it back to Jeddah and then your home in Riyadh. We remind you weeks ahead so you don’t overstay.
🔋 Electric and hybrid cars
If your car is electric or hybrid, tell us the battery type for the sea declaration, charge it to 30–50%, and put the charger and cables with your belongings. Check its tax treatment in Turkey for your case.
📄 Documents
| Document | Returning Turk | Summer temporary entry |
|---|---|---|
| Registration in your name | ✔ for 6 months | ✔ |
| Export plates and certificate | ✔ | Depending on arrangement |
| Passport | ✔ Turkish | ✔ |
| Proof of 24 months abroad | ✔ | — |
| Insurance covering Turkey | ✔ Turkish | ✔ |
| Fasah authorisation and bill of lading | ✔ | ✔ |
🚫 Prohibitions
🏁 Delivery and tracking
We send the sailing or container number and notices at sailing, arrival and clearance, then the car is delivered at the port or to your address, and we compare its condition with the loading photos.
⚠️ Common mistakes
⚖️ How to choose a car shipping company from Riyadh to Turkey
🔁 From Turkey to Riyadh
We also ship cars from Turkey to Riyadh, including temporary-entry cars returning after summer, taking into account the Kingdom’s used-car import rules, SABER platform requirements and 15% VAT.
❓ FAQ: car shipping from Riyadh to Turkey
❓ How much does it cost to ship a car from Riyadh to Turkey?
By quote depending on the method and port after reviewing your case, including transport to Jeddah.
❓ How long does shipping to Turkey take?
3 to 5 weeks.
❓ Should I ship my car for the summer or rent?
Renting is cheaper for most summer-flat owners; shipping suits those spending long months.
❓ Can I sell my car in Turkey?
Usually impractical because of restrictions and taxes; better to sell it in Riyadh.
❓ What are the conditions for a returning Turk?
24 months abroad, a car in their name for 6 months, 3 years old or less, with the set taxes.
❓ Which port for Bursa?
Usually Derince.
Send your goal, the car type, year and your city in Turkey, and we’ll tell you frankly whether shipping makes sense and send a quote.
🏷️ Tags: car shipping from Riyadh to Turkey • ship a car to Turkey • temporary car entry to Turkey • car tax in Turkey • RoRo car shipping to Derince • car shipping to Mersin • returning Turk and car • car shipping prices to Turkey