Turkey is among the world’s largest producers and exporters of ceramic tiles, and the leading source of travertine. Factories cluster around Eskişehir, Bilecik, Kütahya and Çanakkale for ceramics, and around Denizli, Afyon and Burdur for natural stone. This guide explains how a distributor, contractor or retailer can import tiles from Turkey at factory prices without a local agent.
1. What Turkish tile factories produce
- Glazed porcelain and ceramic floor tiles – 60×60, 60×120, 80×80 cm; rectified, matt, polished and R10–R11 anti-slip finishes. See floor tiles from Turkey.
- Wall tiles – 30×60, 30×90, subway and decorative relief tiles for bathrooms and kitchens: wholesale wall tiles.
- Natural stone tiles – travertine, marble, limestone and basalt in 30×60, 40×60, 61×61 and French pattern sets: wholesale travertine, Turkish marble.
- Mosaics and specials – stone and glass mosaics, bullnose, skirting and pool copings.
2. Minimum order quantities
Ceramic factories sell by the pallet and price by the container. A typical porcelain pallet holds 50 to 80 m²; a 20-foot container carries around 1,000 to 1,300 m² of 60×60 porcelain, a 40-foot container about 2,000 m² (weight, not volume, is the limit). Mixed-colour containers are normal, but each colour usually has a pallet minimum. For natural stone the minimum on our platform starts from 30 m² per item and full containers hold 400–450 m² of 2 cm tiles.
3. How factory prices are built
Quotes are per square metre, EXW or FOB Izmir / Mersin, in USD or EUR. The price depends on size, finish (polished costs more than matt or honed), quality grade (first choice vs. commercial), and container volume. Expect first-choice porcelain from Turkish factories to sit well below Italian and Spanish equivalents for comparable specifications; natural stone is quoted per selection (standard, classic, premium) with a surcharge for vein-cut or wider slabs. Always ask for the quality grade and the shade batch in writing.
4. Certification: CE marking and test reports
Ceramic tiles sold in the EU and UK must carry CE marking under EN 14411 with a Declaration of Performance (DoP) covering breaking strength, water absorption, slip resistance and frost resistance. Natural stone tiles follow EN 12057 (modular tiles) and EN 12058 (floor slabs). Ask the factory for the DoP and, for floors in commercial projects, the slip test report (R-value or pendulum). For the USA there is no CE requirement, but ANSI A137.1 test data and a DCOF result help with specifiers.
5. Samples and quality control
Order samples of the exact size and finish before committing. For a first container we recommend a pre-shipment inspection: shade consistency across boxes, calibre, flatness, and packaging (pallets ISPM-15 heat-treated, shrink-wrapped, corner-protected). OrderFromTurkey can arrange samples and inspect loading on your behalf.
6. Payment and Incoterms
Standard terms are 30% deposit on order and 70% against copy of the bill of lading (T/T); letters of credit are accepted for larger orders. FOB is the default Incoterm; CIF to your port or DAP to your warehouse can be quoted. Details in the how to order from Turkey guide.
7. Shipping and duties
Ceramic tiles from Turkey enter the EU duty-free under the Customs Union with an A.TR certificate, and the UK at preferential (mostly zero) duty under the UK–Turkey trade agreement with proof of origin. The USA applies the MFN rate for HTS 6907. Port-to-port transit is typically 10–20 days to Northern Europe and the UK, 20–30 days to the US East Coast; see our shipping from Turkey guide for pallet vs. container options and documents.
Frequently asked questions
What is the minimum order for tiles from Turkey?
Ceramic and porcelain: usually one pallet per colour and a full container per order for factory pricing. Natural stone tiles on our platform start from 30 m² per item.
Are Turkish tiles CE certified?
Yes – export-oriented factories CE mark their tiles under EN 14411 and issue a Declaration of Performance. Always request the DoP with your quote.
How much cheaper are tiles from Turkey?
Factory-direct prices are typically well below Western European brands for comparable first-choice porcelain, mainly because of energy, labour and proximity to raw materials. The exact saving depends on size, finish and volume – request a quote for your specification.
Can I mix sizes and colours in one container?
Yes, within pallet minimums per item. Mixed containers are standard for distributors.
How long does it take from order to delivery?
Stock items ship in 1–2 weeks; made-to-order production takes 3–5 weeks; add transit of 1–4 weeks depending on destination.