Shipping from Türkiye (Turkey) in September 2026 means record exports meeting new Gulf charges and slower gates. From 15 September Maersk adds USD 500 per container on contract cargo to the UAE. Hauliers at Mersin announced a stand-down from that date, and drivers protested at the Kapıkule border crossing on 14 September.
Short answer: as of 15 September 2026, Türkiye's exports are growing, but not to the Upper Gulf. The Ministry of Trade put August exports at USD 23.5 billion, up 8.1% and the highest August on record. Maersk's USD 500 emergency operational cost recovery surcharge (OCR) applies to contract cargo to the UAE from 15 September and to Bahrain, Qatar, Kuwait and Iraq from 17 September. The EU Packaging and Packaging Waste Regulation (PPWR) has applied since 12 August 2026, and the EU Deforestation Regulation (EUDR) applies to large and medium operators from 30 December.
Shipping from Türkiye in September 2026 at a glance
- On TİM figures, August exports rose 13.8% to the UK and 39.1% to the US, while the EU slipped 1.5%. Confirm Q4 space by 30 September.
- Maersk adds the USD 500 OCR to contract cargo for the UAE from 15 September and for Bahrain, Qatar, Kuwait and Iraq from 17 September, on top of emergency freight of USD 1,800 to USD 3,800 per box. Gulf quotes need repricing line by line.
- UND data showed export queues of 11 km at Hamzabeyli and 1 km at Kapıkule on 3 September. Queues move within hours, so check on the morning of dispatch.
- An İzmir firm got a Mersin discharge slot 24 days after asking on 1 September, Deniz Haber reported. Book the appointment before the box arrives.
- The Tarvisio rail exit from the Trieste area towards Austria is closed until 20 September, so Ro-Ro trailers arriving earlier need a rail slot or a road fallback.
- PPWR applies now, EU parcel product identifiers are mandatory from 1 November and EUDR reaches wood, furniture and paper on 30 December 2026.
How are Turkish exports doing in 2026?
Türkiye had its best August for exports on record: USD 23.5 billion, up 8.1% year on year, the Ministry of Trade said on 3 September. Imports rose faster, by 10.5% to USD 28.7 billion, and January to August exports reached a record USD 185 billion. The İstanbul Chamber of Industry (İSO) export markets climate index for manufacturers rose to 52.7 in August, a 27-month high.
For the split by market, the Turkish Exporters Assembly (TİM) counts on its own basis and puts August at USD 20.20 billion. Germany took USD 1,581.3 million (down 0.5%), the United States USD 1,387.4 million (up 39.1%) and the UK USD 1,144.9 million (up 13.8%). The EU slipped 1.5% in August but is up 3.6% for January to August, when it took 44.5% of exports. Africa grew 11.8% over the eight months, with Nigeria up 50.9% and Egypt 27.1%.
The Gulf went the other way. Exports to the UAE fell 45.2% in January to August, and in August Kuwait dropped 72.2% and Bahrain 70.6%, while Saudi Arabia rose 23.5% and Iraq 6.6%. Markets reached by sea only through the Strait of Hormuz fell; those on the Red Sea side or within reach by road grew. Trade Minister Ömer Bolat said on 3 September that the sharp fall in exports to about 11 Gulf countries dates from March and stopped deepening from April.
Where are shipments from Türkiye being held up?
On the Bulgarian border, data from the International Transporters' Association (UND), reported by Kamyonum, showed an 11 km export queue at Hamzabeyli on 3 September, down from 26 km on 29 August, and 1 km at Kapıkule. On 14 September drivers protested at the Kapıkule truck park over the Schengen 90/180-day limit and customs waits, which they put at 24 to 100 hours at some gates, Dünya reported.
The EU's Entry/Exit System (EES) has counted stays automatically since 10 April 2026. The Commission says it changes enforcement only, so plan drivers' Schengen days for November and December tours now. ICS2 entry summary declarations for road have been mandatory in Bulgaria and Greece since 1 January and in Romania since 1 June, according to IRU. For Ro-Ro via Trieste, the Carnia–Tarvisio line, a key rail exit towards Austria, is closed for works until 20 September.
For the UAE, Bahrain, Qatar, Kuwait and Iraq, Maersk's advisories of 9 and 11 September apply the OCR to contract bookings from every origin except Far East Asia, Türkiye included. It comes on top of Maersk's emergency freight of USD 1,800 per 20ft dry, USD 3,000 per 40ft dry and USD 3,800 per reefer, special or dangerous goods box, plus USD 1,000 for any Hormuz transit. Maersk's 11 September update keeps Dammam, Jubail and Iraq closed to bookings and sends Saudi cargo through Jeddah. Our Red Sea and Hormuz shipping update covers the Gulf ports one by one.
By road, Habur, the crossing into Iraq, set a 2026 daily record of 2,454 truck exits on 7 August, Trade Minister Bolat said. İskender Kaplan, chair of TİM's Carpet Sector Board, put Gulf truck freight at USD 8,000 to 9,000 per load on 14 August, with trucks scarce. Between Asia and Türkiye, ask for the routing on each voyage: most Asia–Europe services still sail via the Cape, although Maersk and Hapag-Lloyd moved four more Gemini services to Suez on 14 September, with the first westbound sailings scheduled from 19 September. Our September 2026 freight market update tracks the returns.
Which EU and Turkish rules apply to goods from Türkiye?
PPWR has applied since 12 August 2026 with no postponement. Each packaging type needs an EU declaration of conformity and technical documentation, a type, batch or serial number with the manufacturer's name and postal address, and heavy metals of no more than 100 mg/kg. The sorting label is not required yet. Germany's packaging register ZSVR said on 12 August, citing the Commission's updated FAQ, that a retailer selling under its own brand is the producer, so private-label suppliers in Türkiye should expect data requests.
EUDR applies from 30 December 2026 to large and medium operators and to small ones already under the EU Timber Regulation; other micro and small operators follow on 30 June 2027. Wood furniture and paper are in scope, hazelnuts are not. A delegated act adopted on 13 July removes cattle hides, skins and leather, but as of 15 September 2026 it awaits Official Journal publication, according to eudr.today, so leather stays covered for now. TİM puts January to August leather exports at USD 970.6 million.
Since 1 July 2026 the EU has charged a temporary €3 customs duty per distinct tariff line on e-commerce consignments worth up to €150 (Access2Markets). In Baker McKenzie's example, five T-shirts pay €3 and a T-shirt with a watch €6. Product identifiers become mandatory on 1 November. A new customs handling fee is due once member states' IT systems work, and no later than 1 November, but as of 15 September 2026 no amount has been set and the reform still awaits a European Parliament plenary vote.
For steel, aluminium and cement, the Carbon Border Adjustment Mechanism (CBAM) has been in its definitive period since 1 January 2026. EU importers above 50 tonnes a year need authorisation, certificate sales start on 1 February 2027 and the first declaration is due by 30 September 2027. The Q3 certificate price is due on 5 October, after EUR 75.28 in Q2. The Commission's CBAM guidance of 14 August is in English for now, with a Turkish version announced. TİM puts January to August steel exports at USD 11,271.5 million; the EU steel quota is covered in our Europe market update.
At home, Türkiye's Emissions Trading System Regulation took effect on publication in the Official Gazette of 27 August 2026. First monitoring methodology plans are due within two months, around 27 October, extendable by up to six months, and the Carbon Market Board sets the scope and length of the pilot phase.
How do axle limits change a truck load from Türkiye?
Trucks leaving Türkiye this autumn run under a rewritten overload regime. Law No. 7574 (Official Gazette, 27 February 2026) sets fines from TRY 10,000 for up to 10% over the limit to TRY 40,000 at 25%, and TRY 60,000 for evading a weighbridge. Foreign-plated vehicles cannot leave the country until the fine is collected. Our guide to Türkiye's truck overload fines has the detail, and axle limits apply on EU roads too.
Take a Bursa exporter sending a mixed load to Birmingham on the back of August's 13.8% rise in exports to the UK. The 13.6 m tautliner has a 25,240 kg payload, an 11,500 kg drive axle limit and a 24,000 kg limit on the trailer's tri-axle group. The order is 14 pallets of towels and bath linen (120 × 80 × 170 cm, 310 kg each) and 18 pallets of porcelain floor tiles (120 × 80 × 90 cm, 1,150 kg each), 32 pallets and 25,040 kg in all. On the payload plate, it fits.
Without the axle check, all 32 pallets load and the trailer is only 41.54% full by volume, yet the tri-axle group carries 24,848 kg, or 103.5% of its limit. Tiles weigh out long before the deck fills. With the check on, the loading algorithm places 30 of 32 pallets, 22,740 kg, which brings the trailer group to 23,935 kg (99.7%) and the drive axle to 7,941 kg (69.1%). Two tile pallets, 2,300 kg, wait for the next truck.
The payload plate said yes; the axle group said no. The check moves two pallets at the planning desk instead of at a weighbridge, and you can run it on your own packing list in CargoDuo's load planner.
What does this mean for your shipments?
| Corridor or node | Condition | Impact window | Action |
|---|---|---|---|
| Türkiye to the UAE, Kuwait, Qatar, Bahrain, Iraq (Maersk contract cargo) | USD 500 OCR from 15 Sep (UAE) and 17 Sep, plus emergency freight (Maersk, 11 Sep) | From 15 Sep | Reprice Q4 quotes line by line; Saudi cargo via Jeddah |
| Türkiye to the Gulf by road (Habur) | Record 2,454 exits on 7 Aug; USD 8,000–9,000 per load (TİM carpet board, 14 Aug) | Q3–Q4 2026 | Trucks against confirmed orders; axle-legal loads |
| Mersin port | One firm's slot 24 days after a 1 Sep request; stand-down announced from 15 Sep | Second half of Sep | Appointment date and free time in writing |
| Kapıkule and Hamzabeyli | Queues 1 km and 11 km (UND, 3 Sep); drivers' protest 14 Sep | Q4 peak | UND data on dispatch morning; drivers' Schengen days |
| Trieste Ro-Ro, rail to Austria | Carnia–Tarvisio closed 22 Aug–20 Sep | Arrivals before 21 Sep | Rail slot or road fallback |
| EU-bound e-commerce parcels | €3 per tariff line since 1 Jul; identifiers and handling fee by 1 Nov | From 1 Nov | Confirm A.TR and H1 treatment; identifiers by 31 Oct |
- By 30 September, share Q4 forecasts with carriers and hauliers and confirm space for October and November.
- By 30 September, get your EU platform or courier to confirm in writing how A.TR goods are declared, and add product identifiers to your declaration data by 31 October.
- Before Q4 shipments to the EU, collect packaging declarations of conformity, technical files and batch marking from suppliers. Start EUDR geolocation and due diligence for wood, furniture and paper now, because sea cargo shipped in late November or December can arrive after 30 December.
- Plan every truck against its axle limits before loading. Law 7574 holds foreign-plated trucks until fines are paid.
What should you watch in the next 60 days?
- 19, 21 and 24 September: first scheduled westbound Suez sailings of Gemini AE11, AE5 and ME2, which Maersk says “remain dependent on the ongoing stability in the Red Sea area”.
- After 20 September: whether Carnia–Tarvisio reopens as planned, and whether the announced Mersin stand-down goes ahead or is extended.
- 5 October: the CBAM Q3 certificate price. Early October: September trade figures replace August's, Gulf markets included.
- Around 27 October: first Türkiye ETS monitoring plans due, just before the Republic Day holiday (half day on 28 October, 29 October off).
- 1 November: product identifiers become mandatory, and the handling fee must be collected by then at the latest. As of 15 September 2026, the EUDR delegated act still awaits Official Journal publication and the customs reform a European Parliament plenary vote.
- 27 November: Black Friday. 30 December: EUDR applies.
Frequently asked questions
How are Turkish exports doing in 2026, and which markets are growing?
Growing overall. The Ministry of Trade put August 2026 exports at USD 23.5 billion, up 8.1% and a record for the month. On TİM's figures, August exports rose 39.1% to the US and 13.8% to the UK, and Nigeria and Egypt are up 50.9% and 27.1% for January to August. Exports to the UAE fell 45.2% over the same eight months.
Are there long truck queues at the Bulgarian border right now?
They change within hours, so check live UND data on the morning of dispatch. On 3 September UND data reported by Kamyonum showed an 11 km export queue at Hamzabeyli and 1 km at Kapıkule. Drivers who protested at Kapıkule on 14 September said waits reach 24 to 100 hours at some gates. Light commercial vehicles up to 3.5 tonnes have been able to cross at Dereköy since 1 August.
Is Mersin port congested in September 2026?
There's no port-wide figure, but two reports point to delays. An İzmir firm told Deniz Haber it was given a discharge slot at Mersin International Port 24 days after asking on 1 September, and local hauliers announced a three-day stand-down from 15 September. Get your appointment date and free time in writing, and keep Alsancak or Aliağa as a fallback.
What's the best way to ship from Türkiye to Saudi Arabia or the UAE at the moment?
For Saudi Arabia, Maersk's 11 September update routes cargo through Jeddah; Dammam and Jubail are closed to its bookings, and out-of-gauge cargo is suspended to all Saudi ports. For the UAE, Maersk takes cargo only via Khor Fakkan for imports or by land bridge into Jebel Ali, and adds a USD 500 OCR on contract cargo from 15 September. By road, TİM's carpet board put Gulf truck freight at USD 8,000 to 9,000 per load on 14 August.
Does the EU's €3 parcel duty apply to goods sent from Türkiye?
Possibly not, if the goods travel with an A.TR. The duty has applied since 1 July 2026 at €3 per distinct tariff line on e-commerce consignments up to €150. Trade Minister Ömer Bolat said on 2 July that Turkish goods keep their preference when declared under H1 with an A.TR, and a fix for H7 is still being worked on. The EU hasn't confirmed this, so ask your platform or courier in writing.
Is Turkish leather still covered by the EU deforestation regulation?
Yes, for now. A delegated act adopted on 13 July 2026 removes cattle hides, skins and leather from EUDR, but as of 15 September 2026 it's awaiting Official Journal publication, according to eudr.today, and the current product list still applies. EUDR itself applies from 30 December 2026 to large and medium operators. Wood furniture and paper stay in scope, and hazelnuts aren't covered.
Sources: Türkiye's Ministry of Trade (5 August and 3 September 2026); Turkish Exporters Assembly (TİM) export files (31 August) and its Carpet Sector Board chair via İHA (14 August); İstanbul Chamber of Industry (8 September); Anadolu Ajansı (2 July, 9 August); UND data via Kamyonum (3 September); TRT Haber (2 August); Dünya (14 September); Deniz Haber (7 September); Mersin Governorship via Evrensel (4 September); Mersin Hakimiyet (6 September); Maersk (9, 11 and 14 September); IRU (16 December 2025); RaiNews (22 August); European Commission, including the EUDR delegated act (13 July), Access2Markets (30 June), the CBAM Q&A (27 May) and the CBAM guidance (14 August); eudr.today (14 September); European Parliament (26 March); ZSVR (12 August); Baker McKenzie (2 July); Resmî Gazete (27 February and 27 August 2026). Year-on-year changes by market on TİM figures are CargoDuo calculations from TİM's files. Updated: 15 September 2026. Changelog: 15 September 2026, first edition. If a date or figure here has moved, tell us and we will correct it.