What legal structure should a foreign-owned logistics company in Turkey use?

Most foreign investors start with a Limited Şirket (LTD), which requires a minimum paid-in capital of 50,000 TRY, or an Anonim Şirket (AŞ) for larger fleets or when outside investors are involved, requiring 250,000 TRY (500,000 TRY under the registered-capital system). These minimums took effect January 1, 2024.

What licenses does a road freight company need in Turkey?

Road transport operators need an authorization document (yetki belgesi) from the Ministry of Transport and Infrastructure. Domestic freight generally falls under the K-series (e.g. K1 for own-account, K2 for for-hire carriers), while international commercial freight requires a C-series document (commonly C2). The exact category depends on fleet size, vehicle tonnage, and whether operations are domestic or international. Because categories and thresholds are updated periodically, confirm the correct license type with a licensed customs or transport consultant before purchasing vehicles.

Is a freight forwarder the same as a licensed carrier?

No. A freight forwarder arranges and coordinates shipping without owning trucks, while a licensed carrier operates its own vehicle fleet under a transport authorization document. Many logistics businesses start as forwarders and expand into carrier operations as their fleet grows.

Does a logistics company need a customs bonded warehouse license?

Only if it plans to store imported goods before customs clearance. A bonded warehouse (antrepo) license is a separate authorization from the transport license and involves its own facility and security requirements — it is not required for a forwarding or trucking-only operation.

Logistics Company Formation in Turkey: Transportation Sector 2026

Publicado: 2025-10-12 · Atualizado: 2026-09-03 · 5 min de leitura

Turkey's position as a land bridge between Europe, the Caucasus, and the Middle East makes the transportation and logistics sector one of the most active areas for new company formation — but it is also one of the most heavily regulated, with sector-specific licensing on top of standard company registration.

Choosing Your Legal Structure and Meeting Capital Requirements

Most foreign investors register either a Limited Şirket (LTD) or an Anonim Şirket (AŞ). Since January 1, 2024, the minimum paid-in capital is 50,000 TRY for an LTD and 250,000 TRY for an AŞ (500,000 TRY if the company adopts the registered-capital system, common for firms planning to raise outside investment). Existing logistics companies incorporated below these thresholds are expected to bring their capital into compliance by December 31, 2026, or face dissolution risk, so this is an important checkpoint even for companies formed years ago.

Transport Authorization Documents: The K and L License System

Beyond standard trade registry incorporation, road transport operators in Turkey must hold an authorization document (yetki belgesi) issued under the Ministry of Transport and Infrastructure's licensing framework. Domestic freight is generally covered by the K-series (e.g. K1 for own-account carriers, K2 for for-hire domestic carriers), while international commercial freight requires a separate C-series document (commonly C2). The exact category required depends on fleet size, vehicle tonnage, and whether the company operates domestically, internationally, or as a logistics coordinator rather than a vehicle operator. Because these categories and their vehicle-count thresholds are updated periodically and carry real compliance consequences, we recommend confirming the specific license class with a licensed customs and transport consultant before finalizing fleet purchases.

Freight Forwarder vs. Actual Carrier: Choosing Your Business Model

A critical early decision is whether to operate as a freight forwarder — coordinating shipments, customs documentation, and multimodal routing without owning trucks — or as an actual carrier holding a fleet under a transport authorization document. Forwarding requires lower upfront capital and no vehicle fleet, making it a common entry point, while carrier status offers more control and margin but requires vehicle registration, driver employment compliance, and the relevant K/L-category license.

Customs Bonded Warehouses and Fleet Registration

Companies planning to store imported goods before customs clearance typically need a separate bonded warehouse (antrepo) license, governed by its own facility, security, and insurance requirements distinct from the transport authorization document. Fleet vehicles must also be registered under the company name and meet Ministry of Transport technical and insurance standards before commercial operation begins.

Logistics vs. Manufacturing: Two Different Company-Formation Paths

If your logistics venture is meant to support an in-house production operation rather than third-party freight, it is worth comparing this guide with our companion article on manufacturing company setup in Turkey, which covers Organized Industrial Zone (OSB) siting, environmental permits, and machinery import — a different regulatory track from transport licensing.

Setting up a compliant logistics operation in Turkey means coordinating trade registry incorporation, capital requirements, and transport-sector licensing at the same time. Our team can help you plan the right structure from the start — contact us or explore our company formation consulting service.

Transport licensing categories, capital thresholds, and compliance deadlines are subject to regulatory change; confirm current requirements with the Ministry of Transport and Infrastructure and a licensed advisor before finalizing your company structure.

Perguntas Frequentes

What legal structure should a foreign-owned logistics company in Turkey use?: Most foreign investors start with a Limited Şirket (LTD), which requires a minimum paid-in capital of 50,000 TRY, or an Anonim Şirket (AŞ) for larger fleets or when outside investors are involved, requiring 250,000 TRY (500,000 TRY under the registered-capital system). These minimums took effect January 1, 2024.
What licenses does a road freight company need in Turkey?: Road transport operators need an authorization document (yetki belgesi) from the Ministry of Transport and Infrastructure. Domestic freight generally falls under the K-series (e.g. K1 for own-account, K2 for for-hire carriers), while international commercial freight requires a C-series document (commonly C2). The exact category depends on fleet size, vehicle tonnage, and whether operations are domestic or international. Because categories and thresholds are updated periodically, confirm the correct license type with a licensed customs or transport consultant before purchasing vehicles.
Is a freight forwarder the same as a licensed carrier?: No. A freight forwarder arranges and coordinates shipping without owning trucks, while a licensed carrier operates its own vehicle fleet under a transport authorization document. Many logistics businesses start as forwarders and expand into carrier operations as their fleet grows.
Does a logistics company need a customs bonded warehouse license?: Only if it plans to store imported goods before customs clearance. A bonded warehouse (antrepo) license is a separate authorization from the transport license and involves its own facility and security requirements — it is not required for a forwarding or trucking-only operation.

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