Third largest air cargo carrier worldwide · Star Alliance member · 130+ countries · 350+ destinations
Turkish Cargo is the cargo brand of Turkish Airlines (Türk Hava Yolları). For Chinese shippers the core value is the Eurasian position of the Istanbul (IST) hub: cargo from Shenzhen, Guangzhou, Shanghai, Zhengzhou, Hong Kong and Beijing transfers through the SmartIST cargo facility and reaches Europe, the Middle East, Africa and the Americas efficiently. Turkish Cargo has annual cargo capacity above 2.2 million tonnes, ranks third worldwide by freight tonne-kilometres (FTK), and serves more than 130 countries and regions.
Hub: Istanbul Airport (IST) |Parent: Turkish Airlines |Brand founded 2000
The Turkish Airlines group began in 1933 and its passenger and cargo network now reaches 356 destinations in 132 countries. The Turkish Cargo brand was created in 2000 and took its first freighter, an A310-300F, in 2004, building a cargo system centered on Istanbul and reaching worldwide. For Chinese shippers this means cargo from China can use freighter and belly capacity and reach major world markets with one transfer at Istanbul.
At the end of 2025 Turkish Cargo operated 11 Boeing 777F and 10 Airbus A330F freighters, plus 6 wet-leased aircraft, 27 cargo aircraft in total. The Boeing 777F carries up to 102 tonnes with a range of about 9,200 km and is the core capacity on heavy routes from China to the Americas, Europe and Africa.
In 2017 Turkish Cargo took delivery of its first Boeing 777F, then one of the largest twin-engine long-haul freighters in the world, with payload up to 102 tonnes and range of 9,200 km. The 777F raised capacity on medium and long-haul routes, especially transcontinental cargo from China and Southeast Asia to the Americas and Europe. By the end of 2025 the airline had 11 B777F and 10 A330F freighters plus 6 wet-leased aircraft, 27 cargo aircraft in total.
In 2021 and 2022 Turkish Cargo brought the SmartIST cargo facility at Istanbul's new airport (IST) into service. One of the largest air cargo handling facilities in the world, it has annual capacity of 1.2 million tonnes and equipment including an automated pallet handling system (PCHS), temperature-controlled storage and active container charging stations. SmartIST lifted Turkish Cargo handling efficiency and service quality to a new level and strengthened its leading position.
According to IATA statistics, Turkish Cargo ranked third among air cargo carriers in 2024 with a 5.7 percent global market share by freight tonne-kilometres. As a Star Alliance member, Turkish Airlines has code-share agreements with 62 airlines worldwide, giving cargo from China smooth connections.
For Chinese companies in international trade and for US buyers, the distinctive advantage of Turkish Cargo is its location: Istanbul sits at the junction of Asia and Europe, an ideal transfer hub for cargo from China to the US, Europe, the Middle East, Africa and South America. From Shenzhen, Guangzhou, Shanghai, Zhengzhou, Hong Kong and Beijing, the freighter and belly network moves cargo efficiently through Istanbul to more than 350 destinations.
Turkish Cargo was also the first airline in the world to hold all three IATA CEIV (Center of Excellence for Independent Validators) certifications, covering cold chain logistics, pharmaceutical handling and lithium battery dangerous goods. These certifications reflect its specialist capability and safety standards for special cargo.
| Full company name | Turkish Cargo |
|---|---|
| Parent company | Turkish Airlines (Türk Hava Yolları) |
| IATA code | TK(shared with Turkish Airlines) |
| ICAO code | THY |
| AWB prefix | 235 |
| Head office location | Istanbul, Türkiye |
| Main hubs | Istanbul Airport (IST / LTFM) |
| Parent founded | 1933 |
| Turkish Cargo brand founded | 2000 |
| First freighter | A310-300F (2004) |
| Global ranking | Third worldwide by FTK in 2024 (5.7 percent market share) |
| Coverage | 130+ countries, 350+ destinations |
| Annual cargo capacity | 2.2 million tonnes |
| Airline alliance | Star Alliance |
| Commercial contact email | commercial@turkishcargo.com |
| Cargo service email | cargo@turkishairlines.com |
| IATA CEIV certification | Cold chain / pharma / lithium batteries (first in the world to hold all three) |
| Security certification | TAPA FSR A (SmartIST cargo facility) |
The Boeing 777F is currently the world's largest twin-engine long-haul freighter and the core of Turkish Cargo long-haul capacity. All 11 777Fs are deployed on medium and long-haul international routes carrying heavy bulk cargo from China to the Americas, Europe and Africa. Its long range and large payload make it the natural choice for transcontinental air freight.
The Airbus A330F is Turkish Cargo's main freighter on medium-haul international routes, used mainly on scheduled freighter services from China to Istanbul, the Middle East and Europe. The 10 A330Fs give steady medium-haul capacity and are especially important in day-to-day freighter operations at Chinese cities such as Shenzhen and Zhengzhou.
Besides the 27 freighters, Turkish Cargo uses belly space on the large Turkish Airlines passenger fleet. Turkish Airlines has516 aircraft, including 347 narrowbodies and 142 widebodies, many with belly cargo capability. In practice, routes without freighter service can still carry cargo in passenger bellies, extending the reachable destinations.
Passenger types able to carry cargo include Airbus A350-900, A330-300, A330-200, Boeing 777-300ER, Boeing 787-9, Airbus A321, A320, Boeing 737-800, Boeing 737-8 MAX and Boeing 737-9 MAX. Widebody bellies on A350, A330, B777 and B787 aircraft take standard ULD containers and carry several tonnes per flight, suited to small and medium lots with tight transit requirements.
Turkish Cargo also has6 wet-leased aircraftas a capacity supplement, providing flexible extra capacity in peak season or for special requirements. This three-layer structure of freighters, belly capacity and wet lease lets Turkish Cargo offer solutions from a few kilograms to over a hundred tonnes, from daily scheduled flights to custom charters.
The SmartIST facility at Istanbul's new airport (IST) is one of the largest air cargo handling facilities in the world and entered service in 2021-2022. It covers a large area with annual capacity of1.2 million tonnes, making it the core hub of the Turkish Cargo global network.
SmartIST combines advanced automation with efficient manual management to run receiving, sorting, storage and loading as one intelligent process. General cargo, temperature-controlled pharmaceuticals, dangerous goods and oversize pieces can all be handled there.
The Pallet Container Handling System identifies, sorts and moves cargo automatically, greatly improving throughput and accuracy.
Temperature-controlled space for more than 200 ULDs and 17,000 pallet positions, supporting cold chain pharmaceuticals, perishable food and chemicals.
Charging stations for active temperature-controlled containers such as Envirotainer and CSafe keep units running through the transfer so the temperature chain is not broken.
Holds the highest TAPA FSR A certification, keeping high-value cargo secure in storage and transfer.
Commercial cooperation email:
commercial@turkishcargo.com
Cargo service email:
cargo@turkishairlines.com
Use the emails above to reach the Turkish Cargo China commercial team for current rates and capacity.
Turkish Cargo has a regional operations team in China managing day-to-day cargo from Shenzhen, Guangzhou, Shanghai, Zhengzhou, Hong Kong and Beijing. TK deploys a mix of freighter and belly capacity in China:
Booking through Goodhope Freight gives better rates and professional end-to-end logistics.
Shenzhen to Istanbul nonstop freighter daily, with a flight time of about 9 hours. The A330F carries up to 62 tonnes and suits electronics, apparel and consumer goods exported from South China. The Istanbul hub connects quickly to destinations in Europe, the Middle East and Africa.
Guangzhou to Istanbul nonstop freighter daily, flown by B777F with payload up to 102 tonnes. This is the strongest TK service in South China, suited to large and heavy shipments and widely used by South China exporters.
Shanghai Pudong is the most important international cargo gateway in eastern China. TK offers both freighter and belly capacity here for steady daily space, suited to high-value exports from East China such as electronics, machinery and chemicals.
Zhengzhou is an important air cargo hub in central China and a major cross-border e-commerce origin. TK operates 4 A330F freighter flights a week, giving central China exporters freighter service.
Hong Kong International Airport is one of the busiest cargo airports in the world. TK operates daily Hong Kong to Istanbul flights, another efficient corridor for international cargo from the Pearl River Delta and South China. Hong Kong's free port status also makes it an important node for transit cargo.
Beijing Capital relies mainly on passenger belly capacity, with daily flights carrying cargo to Istanbul in TK widebody bellies, suited to small and medium lots from North China with tight transit requirements.
These are Goodhope Freight market reference prices on TK routes; actual prices are subject to confirmation on enquiry.
* Prices are reference ranges; actual rates depend on cargo type, weight, volume, season and market supply and demand. Contact Goodhope Freight for an exact quote.
Through the Istanbul hub, TK reaches more than 40 countries and cities in Europe quickly, with direct or convenient connecting flights to major commercial cities including London, Frankfurt, Paris, Amsterdam, Milan, Madrid, Stockholm and Warsaw. From Shenzhen and Guangzhou, freighters arrive at Istanbul and connect to major European cities within 2-6 hours.
Istanbul sits at the junction of Europe and Asia, only 2-4 hours' flying time from major Middle East cities. Dubai, Riyadh, Jeddah, Doha, Kuwait, Bahrain and Oman can all be reached same day or next day. Middle East demand for oil equipment, building materials and consumer goods is strong, and TK provides high-frequency, high-capacity service.
Turkish Cargo is one of the international airlines flying to the most African destinations, covering more than 50 cities in over 30 African countries. Lagos, Nairobi, Dar es Salaam, Johannesburg, Cairo and Addis Ababa are all served. The TK network in Central, East and West Africa is a distinctive strength other carriers find hard to match.
With the long-haul capability of the B777F and its 9,200 km range, TK moves cargo from China through Istanbul to major cities in North and South America. New York, Chicago, Los Angeles, Miami and Houston are all inside the TK network. For US buyers importing from China, TK offers a competitive air corridor.
In Asia, TK covers many destinations in South, Central and Southeast Asia, with flights to Delhi, Mumbai, Karachi, Dhaka, Bangkok, Jakarta, Kuala Lumpur, Tokyo and Seoul. TK intra-Asia pricing from China is highly competitive, making it an important option for South and Central Asian markets.
Turkey's position makes it a natural bridge to Central Asia and the CIS. Almaty, Tashkent, Tbilisi, Baku, Minsk and Moscow are all inside the TK network. TK has deep route experience in these regions and comparatively complete coverage of the Central Asian and CIS markets.
Istanbul sits at the junction of Europe and Asia, a prime transfer point for global air freight. Cargo from China can connect at Istanbul to more than 350 destinations in Europe, the Middle East, Africa and the Americas within 2-8 hours. That one-transfer, worldwide-reach advantage is hard for other carriers to replicate.
The Turkish Airlines group flies to 356 destinations in 132 countries, the widest country coverage of any airline, and code-share agreements with 62 airlines extend reach further. Star Alliance membership supports smooth interlining and high service standards.
27 freighters, B777F and A330F, plus belly capacity on 516 passenger aircraft create a flexible structure where freighters carry bulk and bellies cover smaller lots. Volumes from 100 kg to 100 tonnes can be matched to an aircraft type.
Turkish Cargo was the first airline to hold all three IATA CEIV certifications for cold chain, pharmaceutical and lithium battery handling, meeting the industry's highest standards for temperature-sensitive cargo, pharmaceutical cold chain and dangerous goods and giving special cargo the highest level of assurance.
SmartIST, with annual capacity of 1.2 million tonnes, has leading automation and TAPA FSR A security certification. From PCHS automated handling to temperature-controlled storage and active charging stations, every detail reflects the pursuit of efficiency and safety.
Because of the efficient Istanbul transfer model, TK rates from China compare well with carriers of similar service quality: about CNY 26 per kg to the US, about CNY 26 per kg to Europe and about CNY 28 per kg to the Middle East, as market reference rates. Contract rates apply for bookings through Goodhope Freight.
Turkish Cargo PharmaCool is built for pharmaceuticals, biologics, vaccines and temperature-sensitive products. SmartIST has temperature-controlled storage for more than 200 ULDs and 17,000 pallet positions, and active charging stations keep containers running without a break in the chain. Dual IATA CEIV pharmaceutical and cold chain certification makes TK a benchmark carrier in pharmaceutical air freight. Temperature ranges cover +15°C to +25°C ambient, +2°C to +8°C chilled and below -20°C frozen. Pharmaceutical ingredients, vaccines and biologics exported from China connect to the global temperature-controlled network through Istanbul, and Goodhope Freight can handle temperature-controlled booking and document confirmation.
With IATA CEIV lithium battery certification, Turkish Cargo has broad experience and specialist capability in dangerous goods. From lithium batteries and electronics to chemicals, flammable liquids and corrosive substances, TK works strictly to IATA DGR standards so every dangerous goods shipment moves safely. SmartIST has dedicated dangerous goods storage and emergency response equipment. Lithium battery electronics, chemicals and coatings exported from China can be declared by Goodhope Freight under IATA DGR rules before shipment.
With cross-border e-commerce growing, Turkish Cargo offers a dedicated e-commerce solution. For cargo with many small shipments, low unit weight and tight deadlines, TK provides fast clearance, priority loading and expedited transfer. Freighter flights from e-commerce hubs such as Shenzhen and Zhengzhou get cargo to Istanbul within 24-72 hours and on to destinations worldwide.
The Boeing 777F main deck has 27 pallet positions and can carry long, wide or tall pieces. Maximum payload per shipment is up to 102 tonnes for the whole main deck, suited to heavy industrial equipment, construction machinery parts, wind turbine components and aerospace hardware. The TK loading team plans the optimal arrangement by size and weight. Large industrial equipment and construction machinery exported from China can move on pallets by freighter from major gateways to Istanbul and on to worldwide destinations.
Turkish Cargo provides live animal transport under the IATA Live Animals Regulations. From pets and breeding stock to ornamental and aquatic species, TK has dedicated rest areas, ventilation and temperature-controlled environments, and SmartIST has a dedicated animal transit rest area run by an experienced animal care team. Breeding stock and ornamental animals exported from China can move through the TK network once Goodhope Freight prepares the quarantine and transport documents.
The TAPA FSR A certification at SmartIST gives top-level protection for jewelry, precious metals, high-end electronics and fine art. TK provides dedicated secure storage, monitored tracking throughout and a separate handover process, so every step from acceptance to delivery sits under the highest security. High-value electronic components, precision instruments and luxury goods exported from China can book through Goodhope Freight with full security tracking.
Goodhope Freight (Goodhope Logistics (China) Limited) is an authorized cargo agent partner of Turkish Cargo, with deep experience on TK routes and a specialist air cargo team. Booking through Goodhope Freight gives access to contract rates, priority capacity protection and end-to-end logistics from origin to destination.
Provide cargo details such as commodity, weight, dimensions, origin and destination, and Goodhope Freight matches the best TK routing.
Receive a detailed quotation covering freight, fuel surcharge and handling fees, then confirm capacity and flight times and sign the transport contract.
Deliver to the nominated warehouse or arrange pickup. Goodhope Freight handles declaration, documentation, palletizing and handover.
Track status in real time by AWB number, starting with 235. On arrival, Goodhope Freight helps with clearance and last-mile delivery.
For Turkish Cargo flight quotes contact Goodhope Freight: goodhopefreight.com | goodhope86.com
Third largest air cargo carrier worldwide · 350+ destinations · daily flights from six Chinese cities
Goodhope Freight provides professional TK booking and end-to-end logistics
The Turkish Cargo AWB prefix is235. All TK waybill numbers start with 235 followed by 8 digits, in the form 235-XXXXXXXX. Customers can enter the number on the cargo tracking page of the TK website to see status and location in real time, or ask the Goodhope Freight customer service team to check. The waybill number is the unique identifier for the whole journey and is needed for declaration, collection and enquiries.
Total transit from China to the US on TK is usually3-7 days, depending on origin city, destination city and flight connections. Freighters from Shenzhen and Guangzhou reach Istanbul the same day and, after transfer at IST, usually reach major US cities such as New York, Chicago and Los Angeles within 1-2 days. Including origin pickup, declaration and destination clearance, door-to-door service usually completes within 5-8 working days. That may be 1-2 days longer than a pure nonstop, but TK rates are usually more competitive.
Turkish Cargo carries almost every type of air cargo, including general cargo such as electronics, apparel, machinery parts and household goods; temperature-controlled cargo such as food, medicines and biologics; dangerous goods such as lithium batteries and chemicals, subject to IATA DGR compliant packing and declaration; heavy and oversize cargo such as industrial equipment and engineering parts; live animals; high-value cargo such as jewelry and fine art; and e-commerce parcels. TK holds IATA CEIV cold chain, pharmaceutical and lithium battery certifications, a clear advantage for special cargo. Limits follow the IATA Dangerous Goods Regulations and the rules of national civil aviation authorities, and some high-risk dangerous goods may not be accepted.
The Turkish Cargo reference rate from China to the US is aboutCNY 26 per kg, with actual prices varying by cargo type, weight, volume, season and market supply and demand. Unit rates are higher below 100 kg, and shipments above 1 tonne usually get better pricing. Fuel surcharge (FSC), security surcharge (SSC), handling and declaration fees also apply. Contact Goodhope Freight for the latest exact quote, and Goodhope Freight will propose the most competitive TK routing against the specific cargo.
Istanbul is the core of the Turkish Cargo global network, and SmartIST transfer efficiency ranks among the best cargo hubs worldwide. With the PCHS automated pallet and container handling system, cargo can go from arrival at IST to transfer loading in as little as2-4 hours. The facility handles 1.2 million tonnes a year and TAPA FSR A certification keeps cargo secure. TK has a dense flight network at IST with many daily departures worldwide, so waiting time for a transfer is usually short. Extreme weather or special circumstances can cause brief delays, but the TK operations team arranges alternative flights at the first opportunity to limit the impact.
Prepared and published by Goodhope Logistics (China) Limited (Goodhope Freight). The Turkish Cargo name and brand marks belong to their owners; Goodhope Freight works with Turkish Cargo as a business partner and is not a subsidiary or branch of it.
Content is general information and does not constitute an offer of carriage or a commitment; information comes from public sources for reference only and the latest official Turkish Cargo publication prevails.
Actual rates follow the Goodhope Freight quotation, with enquiries at goodhopefreight.com and goodhope86.com, and carriage liability follows the relevant international air transport conventions and the terms of the transport contract.