Turkmenistan: sanctions and trade risk

No elevated indicator

As of 7 November 2026, the screened UN, EU, UK, Swiss and US sanctions lists contain 4 companies, organisations, vessels and aircraft linked to Turkmenistan.Lists last checked 2026-11-07 21:01 UTC.

Logistics profile: ports, airports, customs, documents, holidays, news ↓

No elevated country indicator for Turkmenistan in the route rules Sanctioni uses. That is not a clearance: goods may still be export-controlled, and parties in Turkmenistan may still be on a list.

Check a shipment to Turkmenistan →

On the sanctions lists

4 entries on the official lists name Turkmenistan — as nationality, address, registration or flag. That links them to the country; it says nothing about other companies there. The same company can appear on several lists and is then counted once per list. Individuals are not included — Sanctioni does not process them.

List	Entries	Companies & organisations	Vessels	Aircraft
US OFAC — Specially Designated Nationals (SDN)	4	4	—	—

Latest changes

No new listings or removals naming Turkmenistan recorded yet.

All updates →

All sanctioned countries compared by regime

Logistics profile

Turkmenistan: logistics and trade

Transit country / energy exporter (natural gas)

Turkmenistan (ISO code: TM) is located in Central Asia and borders Kazakhstan, Uzbekistan, Afghanistan and Iran as well as the Caspian Sea. Politically it is a presidential republic with strong central leadership. The climate is continental and desert-like, with hot summers, cold winters and very low rainfall. Economically, Turkmenistan relies on natural gas and oil production, agriculture and services, with the energy sector by far the most important internationally. In foreign trade the country mainly exports natural gas, oil and cotton, while relying heavily on imports for consumer goods, machinery and industrial products. In logistics terms, Turkmenistan has road and rail networks, international airports and ports on the Caspian Sea that mainly enable regional transit between Central Asia and the Caspian region. The national currency is the Turkmen manat (TMT). Strategic investment focuses on infrastructure, transport, logistics and energy projects to raise competitiveness and improve integration into regional and global supply chains.

Capital: Achgabat
Population: 7,494,498
Area: 488,100 km²
Currency: Turkmen manat (TMT)
Continent: Asia
Region: Central Asia / Caspian region
Economic area: CIS association; WTO observer (not a member)
Religions: Islam
Access to the sea: Landlocked

Transport modes Road · Rail · Air · Pipeline

Current situation: Turkmenistan is expanding its transit role: transit volumes in 2025 exceeded 7 million tonnes (plus 28 percent); expansion of the Lapis Lazuli, North-South and TRACECA corridors and of the Ashgabat–Turkmenbashi railway.
Seasonal conditions: Desert climate with very hot summers above 40 degrees affects temperature-sensitive cargo; cold winters and storms on the Caspian Sea can delay ferry traffic.

Main cargo airports

Ashgabat International AirportASB
Ashgabat International Airport (ASB): Central Asia's most advanced cargo terminal, ~200,000 t/year, ETV handling, cold rooms and Caspian-port links.
Türkmenabat International AirportCRZ
Türkmenabat International Airport (CRZ): opened 2018, cargo terminal up to 200,000 t/year on the Amu Darya near Uzbekistan – modern eastern gateway.
Turkmenbashi International AirportKRW
Turkmenbashi International Airport (KRW): cargo terminal up to 200,000 t/year beside the Caspian seaport – a rare sea-air switch on Turkmenistan's coast.

Road corridors

Lapis Lazuli Corridor (AF–TM–AZ–GE–TR)
North-South Corridor (INSTC)
East-West / TRACECA

Rail corridors

Ashgabat–Turkmenbashi
North-South railway (Kazakhstan–Turkmenistan–Iran)
Lapis Lazuli rail route

Main trade lanes

Turkmenistan–China (natural gas pipeline)
Turkmenistan–Turkey
Turkmenistan–Russia
Turkmenistan–Iran
Turkmenistan–EU

Customs and import

Customs authority State Customs Service of TurkmenistanOfficial website ↗

Import customs system: Customs clearance under the Customs Code of Turkmenistan through the State Customs Service; electronic advance declaration, customs declaration and a customs fee of 0,2 percent of the contract value.
Export customs system: Export clearance through the State Customs Service under the Customs Code; export duties and licensing requirements apply to strategic goods and energy products.
Import VAT: 15 percent standard rate (VAT on CIF value); exports taxed at zero rate; reductions or exemptions for basic foodstuffs and medicines possible.
Proofs of origin and trade agreements: Preferential proof within CIS free trade via certificate of origin Form CT-1; no free trade agreements outside the CIS; proof of origin via the Chamber of Commerce and Industry.
Restricted and prohibited goods: Prohibited without license: weapons, explosives, narcotic drugs and radioactive substances. License or permit requirements apply, among others, to chemicals, pharmaceuticals and agricultural products.

Typical import documents

Commercial invoice
Packing list
Transport document (CMR/AWB/Bill of lading)
Customs declaration
Certificate of origin
Conformity and certification proof
Import license if applicable

Typical export documents

Commercial invoice
Packing list
Transport document
Export declaration
Certificate of origin (Form CT-1 for CIS trade)
Export license if applicable

Logistics conditions

Customs complexity: High
Customs delays: High
Dangerous goods relevance: High
Pharma and cold chain relevance: Medium
E-commerce relevance: Low

Trade

Top import partners

Türkiye China Russia Germany Iran

Top export partners

China Türkiye Italy Russia United Arab Emirates

Top import goods

Machinery
Plants
Vehicles
Chemicals
Foodstuffs

Top export goods

Natural gas
Petroleum products
Cotton

Typical cargo

Natural gas
Petroleum products
Cotton and textiles
Machinery and plants
Chemicals

Logistics questions

Which import tax applies in Turkmenistan?

Turkmenistan levies a value added tax with a standard rate of 15 percent on the CIF value of imports. Exports are taxed at zero rate; reductions or exemptions are possible for basic foodstuffs and medicines.

What are the import duty rates?

Most goods are subject to customs duty rates of 5 to 10 percent, with consumer goods sometimes higher. Machinery, industrial equipment and energy goods often fall within 0 to 5 percent. In addition, a customs fee of 0,2 percent of the contract value applies.

Which authority is responsible for customs clearance?

The State Customs Service of Turkmenistan (customs.gov.tm) is responsible. It handles imports and exports under the Customs Code and requires, among other things, an electronic advance declaration of the goods.

Which ports and transport routes are important for Turkmenistan?

The main seaport is Turkmenbashi on the Caspian Sea, with ferry and container terminals serving Baku, Aktau and Astrakhan. On the landward side, goods move via the Lapis Lazuli, North-South and TRACECA corridors as well as the national rail network.

Which documents are required for imports?

Commonly required are the commercial invoice, packing list, transport document (CMR, AWB or bill of lading), customs declaration, certificate of origin, and proof of conformity and certification. For certain goods, an import licence is also required.

Why is Turkmenistan considered logistically demanding?

The economy is heavily state-directed, with currency controls, an import-substitution policy and complex certification requirements. Customs procedures are bureaucratic and time-consuming, which requires careful planning and local partners.

Is Turkmenistan a landlocked country, even though it has ports?

Yes. Turkmenistan is considered landlocked, because the Caspian Sea is an inland sea with no natural connection to the world's oceans. Caspian ports such as Turkmenbashi serve regional transit via ferry links.

Full logistics profile on Freight Academy ↗