Export Packaging for Turkish B2B Orders: Cartons, Pallets and Crates
Super Admin2 min read
Good products arrive damaged surprisingly often, and the cause is usually packaging that was designed for the domestic market rather than for an export journey. A carton that survives a truck ride across Istanbul may not survive transhipment, stacking in a container for weeks and handling at a hot port.
Packaging also decides how much you pay for freight. Here is what to agree with your Turkish supplier before production ends.
Start from the route
Tell the supplier how the goods will travel: full container, shared container (LCL), road truck, or air freight. Shared and air shipments are handled more often and need stronger individual packages. Long sea routes and hot destinations need extra protection against moisture and heat.
Choose the right packaging level
Unit packaging: the box or bag each product comes in, often printed for retail.
Cartons: specify double or triple-wall corrugated board for heavy or fragile items, and a maximum gross weight per carton so they can be handled safely.
Pallets: agree pallet size, maximum height and stacking, stretch wrap and corner boards. Wooden pallets for export must be heat-treated and stamped to the ISPM 15 standard.
Crates: for machinery, glass and stone, use wooden crates or skids with the item fixed inside, plus lifting points marked.
Record weights and dimensions
Ask for the dimensions and gross weight of each carton or pallet before shipping. Your forwarder needs this to quote and book space accurately. For LCL and air freight, charges are based on volume or "chargeable weight", so oversized boxes mean you pay to ship air.
Mark every package
Each package should show:
Your order or PO number
Item code, description and quantity inside
Package number, for example 12 of 40
Gross and net weight
Handling symbols such as "this way up", "fragile" or "keep dry"
Any destination-specific marks, such as country of origin or importer details
Match the packing list
The packing list should match the carton marks and the commercial invoice exactly. A clear packing list speeds up customs inspection and makes it easy to check the delivery on arrival.
Check before loading
Ask for photos of packed goods, pallets and the container during loading. If you use a pre-shipment inspection, include packaging and marking in the inspection checklist.
Ship with fewer surprises
TurkLink helps buyers agree packaging, marking and documents with Turkish suppliers, so goods arrive in the condition they left the factory.
Cover photo: Modern warehouse with pallet rack storage system by Axisadman, CC BY-SA 3.0, via Wikimedia Commons.
