Mersin port shipping runs through Mersin International Port (MIP), the multi-purpose port on Turkey's south coast that serves Adana, Gaziantep, Kayseri, Konya and central Anatolia. It handles containers, breakbulk, project cargo, Ro-Ro, bulk and liquid cargo at 21 berths, and cargo is cleared by Turkish customs through the BILGE system. This guide covers the port's facilities, what each cargo type needs, customs and duty, and how we ship to Mersin from Dubai. We ship both ways: from Dubai to Mersin and from Mersin to Dubai.
Mersin port guide: key facts at a glance
| Item | Detail |
|---|---|
| Port operator | Mersin International Port Operations Inc. (MIP) |
| Shareholders | PSA International and Akfen Holding, with Australian fund IFM since 2017 |
| Owner | TCDD (Turkish State Railways), under a 36-year operating concession from 11 May 2007 |
| UN/LOCODE | TRMER |
| Berths | 8 container berths and 13 multi-purpose berths |
| Quay length | 4,013 m |
| Port area | 134.8 ha |
| Maximum depth | 17.6 m at chart datum |
| Cranes | 15 quay cranes and 5 mobile harbour cranes |
| Designed container capacity | 3.6 million TEU a year |
| Largest ships | Up to 400 m LOA and 24,000 TEU at the EMH2 terminal |
| Containers handled in the Mersin port area, 2025 | About 1.97 million TEU |
| Cargo types | Containers, dry and liquid bulk, general cargo, project cargo, Ro-Ro, live animals, passengers |
| Free zone | Direct connection to the Mersin Free Zone |
| Customs | Ministry of Trade, BILGE declaration system |
| Import VAT | 20% general rate |
| Shipping from Mersin to Dubai | Also handled: arrival at Jebel Ali, Khalifa Port or Sharjah, cleared by UAE customs with 5% duty on most goods and 5% VAT |
Where is Mersin port and which regions does it serve?
The port sits in the Akdeniz district of Mersin city, on Turkey's northeast Mediterranean coast. MIP describes it as the main gateway for southern Turkey. Its hinterland covers Cukurova, Central Anatolia and Southeast Anatolia, with industrial cities such as Adana, Gaziantep, Kayseri and Konya.
MIP is connected by rail and road to Ankara, Gaziantep, Kayseri, Kahramanmaras and Konya. Mersin railway station is just north of the harbour, and the port is linked to the Adana to Mersin railway. Cukurova airport is about 45 km away, which helps if you split urgent parts by air.
A simple rule: if your consignee is south of Ankara or east toward Gaziantep, Mersin is usually the closer port. For Istanbul and the Marmara region, compare Ambarli first.
Who runs Mersin port?
The port is owned by TCDD. In a privatisation tender, the operating rights went to a PSA International and Akfen joint venture for a bid of US$755 million. The contract to transfer operating rights for 36 years was signed on 11 May 2007, and MIP took over operations that year. In October 2017 the Australian fund IFM became a shareholder after buying part of Akfen's stake.
The port itself is much older. Construction started in 1954 and the first pier entered service in 1958. Today MIP calls it Türkiye's largest port by total cargo volume and area.
Berths, quay and equipment
MIP's 2026 fact sheet gives these figures for the whole port:
| Facility | Figure |
|---|---|
| Container berths | 8 |
| Multi-purpose berths | 13 |
| Quay length | 4,013 m |
| Area | 134.8 ha |
| Maximum depth at chart datum | 17.6 m |
| Quay cranes | 15 |
| Mobile harbour cranes | 5 |
| Designed capacity | 3,600,000 TEU a year |
| Crane outreach and lift height | 24 rows, 49.5 m |
Older figures still circulate online, such as 2.6 million TEU of capacity or a 15 m draft. These date from before the East Med Hub 2 (EMH2) expansion. Use the current numbers when you check whether a vessel or a piece of cargo fits.
The East Med Hub 2 terminal
EMH2 added a 368 m seaward extension to the existing quay and 17.6 ha of reclaimed land. The terminal spans 880 m. On 6 October 2025 MIP berthed its first 400 m vessel there, the 19,313 TEU MSC DITTE. MIP says it is the only terminal in the region able to handle ships up to 400 m LOA and 24,000 TEU.
For you as a shipper, this matters in one way: large mainline ships can call at Mersin directly. Whether your cargo from Dubai arrives on a direct service or a transshipment depends on the carrier.
Volumes
Port facilities in the Mersin port authority area handled about 1.97 million TEU of containers in 2025, according to the Ministry of Transport and Infrastructure. In 2023 the ministry reported 1.94 million TEU and 31.45 million tonnes of cargo for Mersin port, including 22% of Turkey's container exports.
What cargo can you ship through Mersin port?
Akfen lists containers, dry and liquid bulk, general cargo, project cargo, Ro-Ro, passengers and live animals as cargo the port handles at one site. Here is how each type usually moves.
| Cargo type | How it moves | What to plan |
|---|---|---|
| General goods | FCL or LCL at the container berths | GTIP code, TAREKS if listed, free time |
| Chilled and frozen food | Reefer containers | Set temperature, health and control certificates |
| Steel, machinery, equipment | Breakbulk at multi-purpose berths, or flat racks | Lifting points, lashing, crane capacity |
| Oversized and heavy-lift pieces | Project cargo on breakbulk or heavy-lift vessels | Drawings, lift plan, road permits in Turkey |
| Vehicles | Ro-Ro or cars in containers | Letter of Conformity, permission if used, special consumption tax |
| Chemicals and other DG | IMDG containers | Carrier and terminal acceptance before booking |
| Bulk and liquid bulk | Bulk vessels at the multi-purpose berths | Discharge plan, receiving facility, surveys |
Container shipping to Mersin: FCL and LCL
Most cargo from the UAE to Mersin moves in containers. You have two choices.
- FCL (full container load). You book a whole 20ft, 40ft or 40ft high cube. It suits larger shipments and goods you do not want handled with other cargo.
- LCL (less than container load). Your cargo shares a box and is unpacked at a container freight station after arrival. Your release then also depends on the rest of the box being cleared.
With LCL, send documents early and make sure carton marks match the packing list. For reefer cargo, tell us the set temperature and ventilation at booking. Our guide to FCL vs LCL costs shows where the break-even usually sits, and our sea freight service page explains what we book.
[AMIR-FACT: the carriers or services we actually book from Jebel Ali to Mersin, direct or via transshipment, and our typical port-to-port days]
Breakbulk and project cargo at Mersin
With 13 multi-purpose berths, 5 mobile harbour cranes and a large open area, Mersin is a common choice for machinery, steel and project cargo bound for southern and central Turkey. Cargo that fits a container but is too tall or wide goes on flat racks or open tops. Cargo that does not fit any container moves as conventional breakbulk.
When you ship project cargo from the UAE to Mersin with us, we plan it in this order:
- Collect drawings, dimensions, weights and centre of gravity for each piece.
- Choose the vessel type: flat rack on a container service, or breakbulk or heavy-lift tonnage.
- Agree lifting, lashing and securing with the carrier, and check the discharge crane capacity at Mersin.
- Plan the UAE road move to the load port and the trailer at the quay.
- Send the consignee's broker the piece-by-piece packing list early, so clearance does not hold a heavy lift on the quay.
A decision rule: if a piece fits a 40ft flat rack by size and weight, a container service usually gives more sailings. If not, the breakbulk sailing date drives the plan. Our guide to flat rack, open top and breakbulk options compares them, and our break bulk and project cargo service covers what we arrange.
Vehicles, Ro-Ro and reefer cargo at Mersin
Vehicles and Ro-Ro
Mersin handles Ro-Ro cargo as well as cars shipped in containers. The port is the easy part. The Turkish import rules decide whether the vehicle can be cleared at all:
- Used vehicles need permission from the Ministry before import.
- Passenger cars fall under tariff heading 87.03 and commercial vehicles under 87.04. The subheading sets the taxes.
- A Letter of Conformity from the Ministry of Industry and Technology, or an authorised body, must be submitted when the declaration is registered.
- Special consumption tax applies to vehicles on top of duty and VAT, and the rate on cars can be very high.
Get the consignee to confirm permission and the full tax cost before we book space. A car that cannot be cleared still runs up storage charges.
Reefer and food cargo
Chilled and frozen food moves in reefer containers. Turkish rules put animal and plant products under the agriculture ministry's control. Some animal products are inspected at the border, and listed products need a Certificate of Conformity submitted with the customs declaration. Food and agricultural goods may also need control, health, phytosanitary or veterinary certificates, depending on the tariff code.
Ask the consignee which certificates the GTIP needs, and have the origin certificates issued before the box is loaded in the UAE. Tell us the set temperature and ventilation at booking.
Dangerous goods to Mersin
DG cargo to Mersin must be packed, marked, labelled and declared under the IMDG Code. Under Turkish maritime rules, a shore facility that handles dangerous cargo must hold a Dangerous Cargo Compliance Certificate, and each terminal sets which classes it accepts and how long they may stay. Some Turkish terminals refuse Class 1, 6.2 and 7 completely, so always check the discharge terminal's acceptance for your class before booking.
What you need for a DG booking:
- UN number, proper shipping name, class and packing group.
- A safety data sheet for each product.
- A signed Dangerous Goods Declaration.
- UN-approved packaging, labels and container placards.
- Any Turkish permit the product needs, for example for certain chemicals.
Plan clearance before arrival, so DG boxes leave the port quickly. Our dangerous goods shipping team gets carrier acceptance before you commit to a sailing.
Customs clearance at Mersin: documents, duty and VAT
Turkish customs is part of the Ministry of Trade. The process at Mersin is the national one.
How clearance works
- A summary declaration for the cargo is lodged before the vessel arrives.
- The goods are discharged and held in temporary storage in an approved area of the port.
- A customs treatment must be assigned within 45 days of the summary declaration for sea cargo. Options include release for free circulation, entry into a free zone, re-export or transit.
- The release declaration is filed electronically in BILGE. Filing needs a BILGE username and password, so most importers use a licensed customs broker.
- Duty and taxes on the declaration are paid, and any permit or conformity certificate is attached.
- Customs checks documents or inspects the cargo and releases it.
Which documents does Turkish customs need?
| Cargo type | Core documents | Usually also needed |
|---|---|---|
| General cargo | Commercial invoice, packing list, bill of lading, certificate of origin | Importer's Turkish tax number; TAREKS approval if the GTIP is listed |
| UAE-origin goods claiming CEPA rates | Core set | Proof of origin under the UAE-Türkiye agreement |
| Food and agricultural products | Core set | Control, health, phytosanitary or veterinary certificates |
| Medicines and cosmetics | Core set | Ministry of Health certificates |
| Dangerous goods | Core set | DG declaration, SDS, terminal acceptance |
| Vehicles | Core set | Letter of Conformity; Ministry permission if used |
The importer needs a Turkish tax number. Goods are classified with a 12-digit GTIP code, where the first 6 digits are the HS code. Confirm the full code with the broker before shipping, because duty, VAT, TAREKS and permits follow it.
TAREKS product safety checks
Many industrial products need an application in TAREKS, the Ministry of Trade's risk-based import control system. Under the 2026 Product Safety and Inspection Communiqués, every GTIP listed in their annexes needs a TAREKS application, even products that are not subject to a safety inspection. Some applications are sent to physical inspection with sampling. Start the application before the vessel arrives.
How much duty and VAT will you pay?
Turkey's tariff follows the EU Common Customs Tariff for industrial goods, with rates set in the annual Import Regime Decision. Some products from some countries also carry additional customs duty.
Goods of UAE origin can use the UAE-Türkiye CEPA, in force since 1 September 2023, which covers 80% of tariff lines. Goods made elsewhere and re-exported from Dubai pay duty for their country of origin. Import VAT is 20% for most goods, with reduced rates of 10% and 1% for some. VAT is charged on the CIF value plus duty and other charges due before clearance. Special consumption tax applies on top for fuel, vehicles, tobacco and alcohol, and luxury goods.
Mersin Free Zone or free circulation?
MIP was the first port in Turkey with a direct connection to a free zone, and the Mersin Free Zone ranks among the country's largest. Entry into a free zone is one of the customs-approved treatments for goods in temporary storage. Use it if your consignee holds a free zone licence and plans to store, repack, assemble or re-export. If the goods will be sold in Turkey, declare them for free circulation and pay duty and VAT.
How to ship to Mersin port from Dubai: step by step
This is how we handle shipping from Dubai to Mersin. We book space with carriers, prepare the UAE documents and export clearance, and work with the consignee's customs broker in Turkey.
- Send us the cargo details. Commodity, HS code, weight, volume or dimensions, UAE pickup address, Turkish delivery city and Incoterm.
- Confirm the Turkish side. The consignee confirms its tax number, broker and full GTIP, and checks TAREKS and permits.
- Check origin. If you claim CEPA rates, prepare the proof of UAE origin before loading.
- Get a quote and book. We compare services from Jebel Ali to Mersin and confirm the vessel. For DG, reefer or out-of-gauge cargo we get acceptance first.
- Pickup and export clearance. We truck the cargo or the empty box, file the UAE export declaration and gate in before the cut-off at the Jebel Ali container terminals.
- Bill of lading. We check the draft against the invoice and packing list and release the final bill.
- Pre-arrival. The broker in Mersin receives all documents before the vessel arrives and prepares the BILGE declaration.
- Clearance and delivery. The consignee pays duty and VAT, collects the cargo and returns the empty container within free time.
How to ship from Mersin port to Dubai
We also handle the other direction: shipping from Mersin to Dubai, with arrival at Jebel Ali, Khalifa Port or Sharjah port. We book the space with the carrier and run the UAE side. The Turkish export papers stay with the shipper or its Turkish agent.
The Turkish export side
- Who can export. The Ministry of Trade says an exporter needs a Turkish tax ID number and membership of the exporters' association for its product.
- Export declaration. The exporter or its customs broker fills the declaration in the BILGE system. The exporters' association approves it before customs processes it.
- Invoice. The invoice must be attached to the declaration. E-invoice users can declare the invoice code instead of attaching paper.
- Licences. If the product needs an export licence, permit or letter of conformity, get it before the customs procedure starts. Most are processed through the Single Window System.
The UAE import side
For cargo cleared in Dubai, the import declaration goes to Dubai Customs with the commercial invoice, packing list, certificate of origin and any permit from the authority that controls restricted goods. The bill of lading is what releases the cargo from the shipping line. Customs duty in Dubai is 5% of the CIF value for most goods, with 50% on alcohol and 100% on cigarettes. Import VAT is 5%, charged on the customs value including freight and insurance. A VAT-registered importer that has registered its customs number with the Federal Tax Authority pays no VAT at the border and accounts for it on its next VAT return.
- Send us the shipper's details in Mersin, the cargo, the HS code and the UAE delivery address.
- We book space with the carrier from Mersin to Jebel Ali, Khalifa Port or Sharjah and send the booking and cut-offs to the shipper.
- The shipper or its trucker picks up the cargo and delivers the container to Mersin International Port before the cut-off.
- The shipper or its Turkish agent files the export declaration in BILGE and gets it approved by its exporters' association.
- We check the draft bill of lading against the invoice and packing list before the line issues it.
- We file the UAE import declaration before the vessel arrives.
- We arrange payment of the duty and VAT and collect the delivery order from the shipping line.
- We truck the container to your site in the UAE.
- We return the empty container to the line's depot within free time.
[AMIR-FACT: the carriers we actually use from Mersin to Jebel Ali, Khalifa Port or Sharjah and our real port-to-port transit days in this direction]
Mersin or another Turkish port: which fits your cargo?
Turkey has several large container gateways. The Ministry of Transport and Infrastructure's 2025 figures show where volume moves:
| Port area | Containers handled in 2025 | Choose it when |
|---|---|---|
| Mersin | About 1.97 million TEU | The consignee is in southern, central or southeast Turkey, or the cargo is project or breakbulk |
| Ambarli (Istanbul) | 3.43 million TEU | The consignee is in Istanbul or the western Marmara region |
| Kocaeli | About 2.50 million TEU | The consignee is in the eastern Marmara industrial belt |
| Aliaga (Izmir) | About 1.70 million TEU | The consignee is in the Aegean region |
The right port depends on the final delivery address, the carriers on the lane and the cargo type. We can price more than one Turkish port so you can compare the total cost to the door.
Free time, storage and demurrage at Mersin
Carriers give free days on their containers at Mersin. After that, demurrage runs while the full box stays in the port and detention while you keep it outside. Port storage charges are separate and follow the terminal's tariff. Free days and rates differ by carrier and container type, so read them on the quote and arrival notice.
Customs time limits are longer than most carrier free time. The 45-day temporary storage limit is the legal maximum, not a target. Our article on demurrage and detention shows how the charges build up.
Checklist before you ship to Mersin
- Consignee's Turkish tax number and broker confirmed.
- Full 12-digit GTIP confirmed for every line.
- TAREKS application or permit started, if needed.
- Proof of UAE origin ready, if claiming CEPA rates.
- Invoice, packing list and bill of lading match on weights, pieces and names.
- Delivery choice made: free circulation or Mersin Free Zone.
- For DG: terminal acceptance for the class confirmed.
- For project cargo: drawings, weights and lift plan sent to the carrier.
- Free time on the container agreed.
- Cargo insurance arranged.
Common mistakes
- Using old port figures. Pre-expansion depth and capacity numbers can lead you to rule out a service that now works.
- Only using the 6-digit HS code. Turkish duty and controls follow the 12-digit GTIP.
- Claiming CEPA rates on re-exported goods. Only goods of UAE origin qualify.
- Starting TAREKS after arrival. The box waits in storage while the application runs.
- Booking DG without terminal acceptance. The carrier may roll or reroute the container.
- Mismatched documents. A different weight on the invoice and the bill of lading can hold clearance.
Frequently asked questions
Who operates Mersin port?
Mersin International Port Operations Inc. (MIP) operates the port under a 36-year concession signed on 11 May 2007. Its shareholders are PSA International, Akfen Holding and the Australian fund IFM, and the port is owned by TCDD.
How deep is Mersin port?
MIP's 2026 fact sheet gives a maximum depth of 17.6 m at chart datum. The EMH2 terminal can take ships up to 400 m long and 24,000 TEU.
How do I ship from Dubai to Mersin?
Your consignee confirms its tax number, customs broker and tariff code, and checks TAREKS and any permit. We book space from Jebel Ali, file the UAE export declaration and send the documents to the broker in Mersin before the vessel arrives, so the BILGE declaration is ready.
Can I ship breakbulk and project cargo to Mersin?
Yes. The port handles general and project cargo at its multi-purpose berths, with 5 mobile harbour cranes. Check crane capacity and the lift plan with the carrier for heavy pieces.
What documents do I need to clear cargo at Mersin?
The core set is a commercial invoice, packing list, bill of lading and certificate of origin, filed by the importer or its broker in BILGE. Some goods also need TAREKS approval, health certificates or a permit.
What is the import VAT in Turkey?
Most imported goods pay 20% VAT, charged on the CIF value plus duty and other charges. Some goods pay reduced rates of 10% or 1%.
Is there a free zone at Mersin port?
Yes. MIP has a direct connection to the Mersin Free Zone. Goods can enter the free zone instead of being released for free circulation, which suits storage, assembly and re-export.
Can I ship a used car from Dubai to Mersin?
Only with permission. Turkey requires Ministry permission to import used vehicles, a Letter of Conformity at declaration, and payment of duty, VAT and special consumption tax. Confirm all three before you book.
Which regions of Turkey is Mersin port best for?
Mersin serves southern, central and southeast Turkey, including Adana, Gaziantep, Kayseri, Konya and Kahramanmaras, with rail and road links to Ankara. For Istanbul, compare Ambarli first.
How do I ship from Mersin to Dubai?
The Turkish shipper or its customs broker files the export declaration in BILGE, approved by the shipper's exporters' association. We book the space to Jebel Ali, Khalifa Port or Sharjah, file the UAE import declaration and arrange payment of the 5% duty (on the CIF value of most goods) and the 5% import VAT.
Get a quote for Mersin port shipping
Send us your cargo details and the delivery city in Turkey, and we will come back with a routing and price to Mersin. Use our freight rate inquiry form, or contact our team to plan a breakbulk, project or DG shipment first. You can also read more about our Dubai freight forwarding team.
Sources
- PSA International: Mersin International Port fact sheet, 2026 (berths, quay, depth, cranes, capacity, EMH2, free zone)
- Mersin International Port: Press release, 6 October 2025 (EMH2, MSC DITTE, shareholders, rail and road links)
- Akfen Holding: Mersin International Port (concession, tender, cargo types)
- Ministry of Transport and Infrastructure: Maritime statistics bulletin 2025
- Daily Sabah: Minister on Mersin port 2023 volumes and expansion (January 2025)
- Wikipedia: Port of Mersin (location, history, rail, UN/LOCODE)
- Ministry of Trade: Import regime FAQ (summary declaration, 45 days, treatments, tax number)
- Ministry of Trade: Tariff FAQ (12-digit GTIP)
- Ministry of Trade: Digital customs FAQ (BILGE access)
- Ministry of Trade: UAE CEPA
- Investment Office of the Presidency of Türkiye: Tax guide (VAT, special consumption tax)
- US International Trade Administration: Türkiye import tariffs
- US International Trade Administration: Türkiye import requirements and documentation
- EY: Türkiye 2026 product safety and inspection changes (TAREKS)
- Marport: Dangerous cargo handling guide, 2025 (compliance certificate, class limits at a Turkish terminal)
- Ministry of Trade (Turkey): Export regime FAQ (who can be an exporter)
- Ministry of Trade (Turkey): Export information sheet (BILGE, exporters' association approval, invoice)
- Dubai Customs: Submit customs declaration (invoice, packing list, certificate of origin, permits)
- UAE Government portal: Clearing customs and paying customs duty (5% of CIF, alcohol 50%, cigarettes 100%)
- Federal Tax Authority: VAT (5% rate)
- Federal Tax Authority: VAT guide, section 3.5 on VAT on imports (5%, deferral for VAT-registered importers)
Reviewed: 10 November 2026