Exporting from Turkey to Senegal: Container Freight to Dakar, Transit Time and Customs Documents (2026)

How Do You Ship from Turkey to Senegal?

The main way to ship from Turkey to Senegal is ocean container freight to the Port of Dakar (FCL or LCL), while urgent, small or high-value shipments move by air cargo from Istanbul to Dakar Blaise Diagne International Airport (DSS). Freight cost depends on cargo type, weight and volume, container type, port of loading, Incoterm, season and carrier capacity. Transit time mainly depends on whether a direct service or a transshipment routing is used. This guide covers the options, what makes up the price, Senegal-specific customs documents (the COSEC Cargo Tracking Note and Cotecna inspection) and how to get a current quote.

Last Updated: October 15, 2026

Which Shipping Options Work on the Turkey–Senegal Route?

FCL Container Shipping (20' / 40' / 40' HC)

The most economical option for full-container cargo such as steel products, construction materials, machinery, furniture and food (pasta, vegetable oil, flour). Cargo is collected from your factory, loaded at Mersin, Aliağa (Izmir), Ambarlı or Gemlik, and discharged at the Dakar container terminal (TCD), operated by DP World.

LCL Groupage Shipping

For a few pallets, you share a container with other exporters and pay by volume (cbm) or weight. Because devanning and warehouse handling are added in Dakar, LCL delivery can take somewhat longer than FCL.

Air Freight

Suitable for spare parts, samples, textile collections, pharmaceuticals and medical devices. Turkish Airlines operates Istanbul–Dakar (DSS) passenger flights, and their belly capacity can be used for cargo. Charges are based on the greater of actual and volumetric weight (typically 1 cbm = 167 kg).

Door-to-Door, DAP and DDP

Pickup in Turkey, export customs, freight, discharge in Dakar and inland delivery to the consignee's warehouse can be combined into one quote. DDP into Senegal requires a local customs broker and importer arrangements, so it is assessed case by case; for most commercial shipments, DAP or CIF Dakar is more common.

Not sure whether FCL, LCL or air freight suits your cargo? Send us dimensions and weight for a quick recommendation: https://www.dexpell.com/en/quote

What Determines the Cost of Shipping from Turkey to Senegal?

There is no fixed "Senegal freight rate" — ocean rates change regularly with carrier capacity, season and fuel costs. The main components of a quote are:

• Container type and cargo weight: 20' containers for heavy cargo (steel, marble, ceramics), 40' HC for bulky cargo (furniture, textiles).

• Port of loading and inland haulage: the distance from your factory to Mersin, Izmir or Marmara ports affects the total.

• Routing: a direct service versus transshipment via Tanger Med or another Mediterranean hub can differ in both price and time.

• Incoterm: EXW, FOB, CFR/CIF Dakar or DAP defines who pays which costs.

• Surcharges: BAF (bunker), THC, B/L fees, peak-season surcharges (PSS) and Dakar port/terminal charges.

• Senegal duties and taxes: on the buyer's side, customs duty, VAT and community levies (below) drive total landed cost.

How Long Does Shipping from Turkey to Dakar Take?

Port-to-port transit depends on the service. In October 2025 Arkas Line announced its Med Africa Service (MAS), a weekly service linking Mersin and Aliağa directly to Dakar without transshipment; direct services like this are generally faster than routings that transship via a hub in Morocco. Rotations can change, so we confirm current sailings at the time of booking.

Door-to-door timing is driven by pickup and export clearance in Turkey, the vessel cut-off and sailing schedule, ocean transit, discharge in Dakar, readiness of the BSC and import declaration, possible physical inspection, and road delivery within Dakar or inland. Airport-to-airport air cargo takes only a few days, but customs formalities can extend the total. Preparing documents completely before loading removes the most common cause of delay.

To get a current rate and the next available sailing for your cargo: https://www.dexpell.com/en/quote

What Are the Main Trade Gateways in Senegal?

• Port of Dakar (Port Autonome de Dakar): its container terminal has been operated by DP World since 2008 and handles the large majority of Senegal's container traffic. Dakar is also an important gateway for transit cargo to landlocked Mali.

• Ndayane deep-water port (under development): DP World is developing a new deep-water port about 50 km south of Dakar, near the airport. Until it opens, container cargo continues to move through Dakar.

• Blaise Diagne International Airport (DSS): located at Diass, Senegal's main air cargo gateway.

• Inland markets: Thiès, Touba, Kaolack and Saint-Louis are served by road from Dakar.

What Does Turkey Export to Senegal?

According to UN COMTRADE data, Turkey's exports to Senegal were about USD 379 million in 2024. Leading categories include electrical machinery and equipment, machinery, iron and steel, vegetable oils, plastics, cereal products such as pasta and flour, articles of iron or steel, and furniture.

Shipping Steel and Construction Materials from Turkey to Senegal

Rebar, profiles and wire are usually shipped in 20' containers, planned around weight limits. Load plans and VGM should be prepared in advance so containers stay within road and vessel limits.

Shipping Machinery from Turkey to Senegal

Food-processing lines, generators and industrial equipment that do not fit a standard container need open top, flat rack or project cargo solutions. Discharge in Dakar and delivery to site are planned together based on dimensions and weight.

Exporting Food and Furniture to Senegal

For pasta, flour and vegetable oil, origin and health certificates matter; for furniture, volume loading (40' HC) and protective packing are key.

Which Documents Are Required for Senegal Customs?

Senegal applies the ECOWAS Common External Tariff. According to PwC's tax summary, customs duty rates are 0%, 5%, 10%, 20% or 35% depending on the goods, plus 18% VAT, a 1% statistical levy, a 0.8% community solidarity levy, a 0.5% ECOWAS levy on non-ECOWAS-origin goods, a 0.4% COSEC levy on sea imports and a 1.5% customs modernisation levy. The exact rate depends on the HS code and should be confirmed with the consignee's customs broker.

• Commercial invoice and packing list – in French or English, with clear descriptions and HS codes.

• Bill of Lading (B/L) or Air Waybill (AWB)

• Certificate of origin

• BSC / Cargo Tracking Note (Bordereau de Suivi de Cargaison): an electronic tracking document issued through COSEC (Conseil Sénégalais des Chargeurs) for sea imports into Senegal. It should be arranged before loading; a missing BSC can cause penalties and delays in Dakar.

• Cotecna pre-shipment inspection: according to the U.S. Commerce Department's Senegal guide, imports above a value threshold (3 million FCFA) are subject to Cotecna inspection, and the approved value is used for customs valuation. Exemption lists can change, so confirm before shipping.

• Product-specific documents: such as health/phytosanitary certificates for food or conformity documents for electrical goods.

Customs declarations in Senegal are filed electronically through the GAINDE/ORBUS single-window system by licensed customs brokers, so the consignee needs an authorised broker in Dakar. Dexpell coordinates this through its destination agent.

What Does Dexpell Handle for Your Senegal Shipment?

• Pickup anywhere in Turkey and haulage to port or airport

• Export customs declaration and certificate of origin coordination

• FCL and LCL bookings on direct or transshipment ocean services

• Istanbul–Dakar air cargo bookings as an IATA cargo agent

• Planning BSC and Cotecna steps with the consignee before loading

• Destination agent, customs broker and delivery coordination in Dakar

• Cargo insurance, project and heavy-lift planning, shipment tracking

Get Your Turkey–Senegal Freight Quote

Request current Turkey–Senegal freight rates and the next sailing date through our quote form: https://www.dexpell.com/en/quote

You can also send your freight request to info@dexpell.com.

For a faster, accurate quote, include: origin city, destination (Dakar or inland), product description and HS code, gross weight, dimensions/volume, container type (20', 40', 40' HC or LCL) and preferred Incoterm (EXW, FOB, CIF, DAP).

Frequently Asked Questions

How much does it cost to ship a container from Turkey to Senegal?

The price depends on container type, port of loading, routing (direct or transshipment), season and surcharges. Ocean rates are updated frequently, so a fixed figure would be misleading; the best approach is a current quote based on your cargo details.

How long does sea freight from Turkey to Dakar take?

It depends on whether a direct service or a transshipment service via a Mediterranean hub is used. Direct services are generally faster; door-to-door time also includes customs and inland delivery.

Which Turkish ports are used for Senegal shipments?

The most common ports of loading are Mersin, Aliağa (Izmir), Ambarlı and Gemlik. The port is chosen based on the factory location and the service rotation.

What is the BSC (Cargo Tracking Note) and is it mandatory?

The BSC is an electronic cargo tracking document issued through COSEC for sea imports into Senegal and is required for sea shipments. If it is not arranged before loading, penalties and delays can occur on arrival.

What is the import VAT rate in Senegal?

Senegal's standard VAT rate is 18%, applied in addition to customs duty and other levies. We recommend confirming the total tax burden for your product with the consignee's customs broker.

Is air freight available from Turkey to Senegal?

Yes. Cargo capacity on Turkish Airlines' Istanbul–Dakar flights can be used for urgent and small-volume shipments. Charges are based on the greater of actual and volumetric weight.

Can Dexpell deliver door-to-door in Dakar?

Yes, delivery to Dakar and inland locations can be arranged through our destination agent. Customs clearance is handled by a licensed Senegalese broker acting for the consignee.

Can I ship machinery or project cargo to Senegal?

Yes. Equipment that does not fit a standard container is planned on open top, flat rack or breakbulk depending on dimensions and weight.

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Photo: Port of Dakar, Rémi Jouan / Wikimedia Commons, CC BY 3.0.