Oversized or project cargo is carried to Iran under a plan that starts with dimension and weight data: a route survey is carried out, a special KGM permit is obtained in Turkey, permits and escorts are arranged in the transit countries, and the crossing is coordinated at the border gate. Permit, escort and unloading conditions on the Iranian side are confirmed in advance with the consignee and the competent authorities.
What does carrying project cargo to Iran involve?
Project transport is the delivery of the heavy, oversized or multi-piece equipment needed to build a facility to the site through a planned series of shipments. For such cargo going from or through Turkey to Iran, a single permit is not enough: the dimension limits, permit authority and escort rules of every country the cargo passes through are dealt with one by one. The concept of oversized cargo and the legal limits are explained in legal road dimension limits.
How does the process work step by step?
- Technical data: packed dimensions, gross weight, centre of gravity and a drawing showing lifting and lashing points are collected.
- Vehicle selection: a lowbed, extendable trailer or modular trailer is chosen according to the dimensions; the axle load calculation is made at this stage.
- Route survey: bridge and culvert capacity, the height of overpasses and power lines, tight bends and space, platform and weighbridge restrictions at the border gate are examined. The method is described in the route survey.
- Permit in Turkey: for cargo exceeding the legal limits, a special load transport permit is obtained from the General Directorate of Highways (KGM). Applications are made via e-Devlet, and there is a separate application channel for foreign companies. Under KGM's 2026 fee schedule, a fee of TRY 18,813.80 is charged for each permit. Details are in the KGM special permit.
- Transit country permits: for cargo coming from Europe or Russia, a separate permit is obtained in every country crossed; the logic is explained in international permits for oversized transport.
- Escort and timing: depending on the permit conditions, escort vehicles, police escort where needed and night or weekend bans are planned.
- Border gate coordination: the inspection area, parking space and crossing order at Gürbulak–Bazargan are agreed in advance.
- Iranian section: road permits, escort and route conditions in Iran are confirmed with the consignee and the competent Iranian authorities.
- Unloading: crane capacity, ground bearing capacity and a lifting plan are prepared on site.
Which questions are asked on each section?
| Topic | Turkish section | Transit countries | Iranian section |
|---|---|---|---|
| Permit authority | KGM | The road authority of each country | Competent authority confirmed via the consignee |
| Escort | As set out in the permit | According to national rules | According to Iranian rules |
| Customs | Export or transit procedure | Transit | Import procedure |
| Physical constraints | Bridges, tunnels, bends | Mountain passes, border areas | Border area and inland road network |
What is known about the rules on the Iranian side?
Iran's practice on dimensions and escorts may differ from Turkey's. Among the demands of the International Transporters' Association (UND) reported by the Turkish business daily Dünya in July 2026, was an end to treating container-carrying trucks in Iran as oversized loads subject to escorts and restricted hours. This example shows that additional conditions can arise on the Iranian side even for loads that might be considered standard. The permit process for the Iranian section is therefore planned on the basis of written information from the consignee and the competent authority, not on estimates. All the steps in Turkey are described in how oversized cargo transport works.
How does Voltim Global plan project cargo to Iran?
Voltim Global's project cargo experience is built on the Akkuyu supply line, which began in March 2024 and combines the Tuapse–Taşucu RoRo service with the Verkhniy Lars road route; more than 450 shipments have been completed on this line. The same approach is followed for project cargo to Iran: dimension data, route survey, permits, escorts and border coordination are brought together in a single plan. For a quote, simply send the loading point, the delivery point, packed dimensions and weight, a drawing and the ready date. Service details are on the oversized and heavy cargo transport and Turkey–Iran road freight pages.