Switzerland Freight Specialist

FREIGHT
FROM
SWITZERLAND.

Air, road, rail and Rhine barge from Zurich, Basel and Geneva to Turkey, Europe, the Middle East and Asia. We manage your exports end-to-end — factory to final destination.

Air Freight
Road — FTL & LTL
Sea — FCL & LCL
Rail & Rhine Barge
Get a Free Quote
Departure
Switzerland
Zurich Airport
ZRH
Geneva Airport
GVA
Basel Rhine Ports
CHBSL
Limmattal — Rail
RAIL HUB
Air
1–2 days TR
Road
4–6 days TR
Sea
via Genoa / Rotterdam
FREIGHT FROM SWITZERLAND ZURICH · BASEL · GENEVA RHINE & RAIL SWITZERLAND TO TURKEY SWITZERLAND TO EUROPE AIR · ROAD · SEA · RAIL FREIGHT FROM SWITZERLAND ZURICH · BASEL · GENEVA RHINE & RAIL SWITZERLAND TO TURKEY SWITZERLAND TO EUROPE AIR · ROAD · SEA · RAIL
4–6
Days Road to Turkey
12+
Destinations
4+
Transport Modes
1hr
Quote Response

ZURICH, BASEL & THE RHINE — SWITZERLAND'S FREIGHT BACKBONE

Switzerland is a landlocked, high-value export economy sitting on Europe's main north–south corridors. Zurich (ZRH) and Geneva (GVA) are the main air-cargo gateways, the Basel Rhine ports are the country's only waterway connection — linking Swiss industry by barge to Rotterdam and Antwerp — and intermodal rail through the Gotthard and Lötschberg base tunnels ties Swiss terminals into both northern Europe and Italy. Ocean freight moves via Genoa, Rotterdam or Antwerp with rail or truck pre-carriage.

Switzerland is not an EU member, so every export crosses a customs border — but Swiss customs procedures are highly efficient, and with the right paperwork the border adds hours, not days. Shipments to Turkey move under the EFTA–Turkey free trade agreement, with preferential duty for qualifying goods documented by a EUR.1 certificate or origin declaration. From Switzerland, road freight reaches Turkey in 4–6 days via Austria and the Balkans, air cargo reaches Istanbul in 1–2 days, and ocean freight via Genoa or Rotterdam runs roughly 10–16 days including pre-carriage. Canxansa manages end-to-end shipments from Swiss factories — customs, freight and last-mile delivery under a single point of contact.

Where We Ship

DESTINATIONS
FROM SWITZERLAND.

Western Asia
Turkey
Istanbul · Mersin · Izmir
Air1–2 days
Road4–6 days
Sea via Genoa10–16 days
Europe
Germany
Munich · Frankfurt · Stuttgart
Road1–2 days
Rail2–3 days
Europe
UK
London · Immingham · Manchester
Road2–3 days
Europe
Austria
Vienna · Linz · Graz
Road1–2 days
Europe
France
Paris · Lyon · Marseille
Road1–2 days
Europe
Italy
Milan · Turin · Genoa
Road1–2 days
Rail via Gotthard1–3 days
Europe
Netherlands
Rotterdam · Amsterdam · Schiphol
Road1–2 days
Rhine barge3–5 days
Middle East
UAE
Dubai · Abu Dhabi · Jebel Ali
Air1–2 days
Sea via Genoa20–30 days
Asia
China
Shanghai · Shenzhen · Ningbo
Air1–3 days
Sea28–38 days
Shipping Options

HOW WE MOVE
YOUR CARGO.

01

Air Freight

Express and standard air cargo from Zurich (ZRH) and Geneva (GVA), Switzerland's main cargo airports, with additional uplift via Frankfurt or Milan when capacity or routing requires. Best for time-sensitive, high-value shipments such as pharmaceuticals, precision instruments and machinery parts. Door-to-door service including customs clearance at origin and destination.

Switzerland to Turkey1–2 days
Switzerland to Gulf1–2 days
Switzerland to Asia1–3 days
02

Road Freight

FTL (full truck load) and LTL (part load / groupage) across Europe and to Turkey. Door-to-door service from any Swiss loading point — ideal for the machinery, pharma and chemical sectors, with temperature-controlled options. Tilt, mega and refrigerated trailers available, with full export customs handling and EUR.1 documentation for the Turkey corridor.

Switzerland to Turkey4–6 days
Switzerland to W. Europe1–2 days
OptionsFTL & LTL
03

Sea Freight

FCL and LCL ocean freight for Swiss exporters via Genoa, Rotterdam and Antwerp, with rail or truck pre-carriage from your factory as Switzerland is landlocked. Direct and transhipment services to Turkey, the Mediterranean, the Gulf, Asia and the Americas. 20' and 40' ISO containers — the most cost-effective option for large-volume and heavy consignments.

Switzerland to Turkey10–16 days
Switzerland to Gulf20–30 days
OptionsFCL (20'/40') & LCL
04

Rail & Rhine Barge

Intermodal rail through the Gotthard and Lötschberg corridors links Swiss terminals with North Sea and Mediterranean ports and onward European networks, while Rhine barges from the Basel ports reach Rotterdam and Antwerp in a few days. Slower than road but very economical for bulk, chemicals and heavy project cargo. We confirm scheduling and equipment availability before booking.

Rail corridorsGotthard · Lötschberg
Rhine portsBasel
Best forBulk & heavy cargo
Departure Points

SWITZERLAND
DEPARTURE HUBS.

Zurich
ZRH
Main air-cargo gateway · industrial heartland
Basel
CHBSL
Rhine ports · barge to Rotterdam & Antwerp · pharma cluster
Geneva
GVA
Air cargo · watch & high-value industry
Limmattal
RAIL HUB
Switzerland's largest marshalling yard · intermodal
Chiasso
BORDER TERMINAL
Rail & road customs gateway to Italy
Cargo We Handle

WHAT WE SHIP
FROM SWITZERLAND.

Machinery & Industrial Equipment
Industrial machinery, production lines and equipment — palletised, crated and out-of-gauge
Pharmaceuticals & Healthcare
Temperature-controlled and time-critical pharma shipments — air and reefer road handling
Precision Instruments & Watches
Watches, optics and precision instruments — secure, high-value air and road transport
Chemicals & Specialty Materials
Specialty chemicals and polymers — packaged, IBC and temperature-controlled handling
Food & Confectionery
Chocolate, coffee and packaged food — temperature-controlled and ambient transport
Common Questions

FREIGHT FROM
SWITZERLAND — FAQ.

What is the fastest way to ship from Switzerland to Turkey?

Air freight from Zurich (ZRH) to Istanbul is the fastest option — around 3 hours' flying time, typically 1–2 days door-to-door for express cargo. For full and part loads, road freight takes 4–6 days via Austria and the Balkans to the Kapıkule border. Sea freight via Genoa or Rotterdam runs roughly 10–16 days including pre-carriage. Transit times are indicative and depend on routing and border conditions.

How long does road freight from Switzerland to Turkey take?

Road freight (FTL and LTL groupage) from Switzerland to Turkey typically takes 4–6 days, routed via Austria and the Balkan corridor to the Kapıkule–Kapitan Andreevo border. Times are indicative and depend on the loading region in Switzerland, the Turkish destination and border waiting times. Air freight is 1–2 days for urgent cargo; sea via Genoa or Rotterdam runs roughly 10–16 days.

How does customs work for shipments from Switzerland?

Switzerland is not an EU member — it is part of EFTA, so every export crosses a customs border. Shipments to Turkey move under the EFTA–Turkey free trade agreement, which gives preferential duty rates for qualifying goods documented by a EUR.1 movement certificate or an origin declaration. Exports to the EU clear through well-established Swiss–EU procedures, handled electronically before departure. We manage the customs documentation on both sides so the border adds hours, not days.

Which ports, airports and terminals do you work with in Switzerland?

Air: Zurich (ZRH) and Geneva (GVA), with additional uplift via Frankfurt or Milan when routing requires. Waterway: the Basel Rhine ports — Switzerland's only cargo waterway — with barge links to Rotterdam and Antwerp. Rail: the Gotthard and Lötschberg corridors and terminals such as Limmattal and Chiasso. As Switzerland is landlocked, ocean freight moves via Genoa, Rotterdam or Antwerp — we arrange the pre-carriage. Pickup is available from any region, including the Mittelland, the Basel area and Ticino.

Can I ship from Switzerland by rail or Rhine barge?

Yes. Intermodal rail links Swiss terminals with North Sea and Mediterranean ports through the Gotthard and Lötschberg corridors, and Rhine barges from Basel reach Rotterdam and Antwerp in a few days. Rail and barge are slower than road but very economical for bulk, chemicals and heavy project cargo. We confirm scheduling and equipment availability for your shipment before booking.

What export documents does an Swiss exporter need?

Standard export documents: commercial invoice, packing list, HS classification, the Swiss electronic export declaration, and the transport document — CMR (road), bill of lading (sea) or airway bill (air). For Turkey, qualifying goods move under the EFTA–Turkey free trade agreement with a EUR.1 movement certificate or origin declaration. We advise on documentation and certificates before shipment.

What goods are commonly exported from Switzerland?

Switzerland's leading exports include pharmaceuticals, industrial machinery, precision instruments and watches, and specialty chemicals. High-value or urgent cargo moves by air, full loads within Europe and to Turkey move by road, large-volume consignments move by sea via Genoa or Rotterdam, and bulk and chemical cargo can move by rail or Rhine barge.

How quickly can I get a freight quote?

Fill in the form below with your origin city in Switzerland, destination, cargo type and approximate weight or volume. We respond within 1 hour with options across air, road, sea, rail and Rhine barge — including transit time comparisons and indicative rates.

FREIGHT FROM
SWITZERLAND QUOTE.

Tell us your origin city in Switzerland, destination, cargo type and volume. We respond within 1 hour with options across air, road, sea FCL, LCL and rail.

Response Time
Within 1 hour