Cargo from Russia to Turkey may be routed through Iran under customs transit because of congestion at the Caucasus gates, seasonal conditions, the location of the loading city or the delivery point in Turkey. In this model the cargo is not cleared in Iran: it crosses the country in a sealed truck and enters import clearance at the customs office of destination in Turkey, for example in Mersin. As Russia, Iran and Turkey are all parties to the TIR Convention, the journey can run under a single carnet.
What is the Russia–Iran–Turkey transit lane?
The Russia–Iran–Turkey transit lane is the route on which goods loaded in Russia cross Iranian territory under customs transit and are delivered to Turkey by road. Customs transit means that the goods pass through a country without being imported there, without paying duties and under customs seal. The cargo is not cleared in Iran; import clearance takes place at the customs office of destination in Turkey. Because Russia, Iran and Turkey are all parties to the TIR Convention, the journey can be carried out under a single TIR carnet. The general concept is explained in carriage under customs control.
Which routes are used from Russia to Turkey?
| Route | Main crossing points | When is it preferred? |
|---|---|---|
| Verkhniy Lars – Georgia – Sarp | Verkhniy Lars (Upper Lars), Sarpi–Sarp | When the Caucasus pass is open and traffic flows; deliveries to northern and eastern Turkey |
| Tuapse–Taşucu RoRo | Port of Tuapse, Port of Taşucu | Deliveries to Mersin and the Akkuyu area; cargo for which a land border crossing is not wanted |
| Customs transit via Iran | The Russia–Iran crossing is set in the trip plan; the main entry gate into Turkey is Gürbulak–Bazargan | When the Caucasus pass is closed or congested; deliveries to eastern and southern Turkey and to Mersin |
A comparison specific to Akkuyu cargo is given in freight routes from Russia to Akkuyu, and the sea leg is explained in the Tuapse–Taşucu RoRo line.
What determines the choice of route?
- Loading city: a warehouse in Moscow and a plant in the Urals or Siberia do not lead to the same exit point; the first leg inside Russia changes the whole plan.
- Delivery point: cargo for Mersin and the Eastern Mediterranean heads for different entry points than cargo for the Black Sea coast.
- Type of cargo: for oversized and heavy loads, bridge, ramp and permit conditions are decisive; for dangerous goods, the acceptance conditions of each transit country.
- Border congestion: the electronic queue and weather-related restrictions at Lars, and trade-driven congestion at Gürbulak, change from period to period.
- Flexibility of the delivery date: for project deliveries with a fixed date, a back-up route is planned from the start so as not to depend on a single gate.
- Season: in winter, the risk of closures on the Georgian Military Road brings alternative routes to the fore.
Which documents are used for transit through Iran?
The basic document set consists of the commercial invoice, the packing list, the CMR consignment note, the Russian export declaration and the TIR carnet. According to the IRU, the guaranteeing associations for the carnet are ASMAP in Russia, ICCIMA in Iran and TOBB in Turkey; in the event of an irregularity they guarantee the duties and taxes due in their country. The carnet is opened in Russia, processed on entry into and exit from Iran and discharged at the customs office of destination in Turkey. The Turkish Ministry of Trade points out that a carnet is valid for a single journey only. The final stage in Turkey follows the steps of the import customs clearance process.
Is this lane actively used today?
Yes. Between 19 August and 30 September 2026, Voltim Global completed 25 trips from Russia via Iran to Mersin. The loading cities include more than 15 locations, among them Moscow, St Petersburg, Yekaterinburg, Voronezh, Nizhny Novgorod, Omsk, Obninsk, Vladimir, Izhevsk, Rybinsk, Sosnovy Bor, Volgodonsk, Novovoronezh, Zheleznogorsk and Morshansk. Loading in Russia is coordinated from the Moscow office; no office or agent in Iran is used, and the transit documents, border crossings, vehicle tracking and delivery in Mersin are managed by the Voltim Global team. Details of the lane are on the Russia–Iran–Turkey transit freight page. To get a quote for your cargo, send the loading city, the delivery address in Turkey, the type of goods, dimensions and weight and the dates via the contact page.