Turkey has become one of the important manufacturing hubs for complete elevator packages, elevator cabins, automatic doors, control panels, traction machines and spare parts. For contractors, distributors, hotel developers and building owners, buying an elevator from Turkey can offer a strong balance of technical quality, flexible production, competitive pricing and export experience.
However, importing an elevator is not the same as buying a standard commercial product. Every elevator is a project-specific vertical transportation system. Shaft dimensions, number of stops, travel height, pit depth, headroom, capacity, speed, door type, machine room availability and local safety regulations directly affect the design, quotation, production and delivery process.
1. Define the Elevator Type and Project Requirements
The first step is to identify the correct elevator type for your building. A residential apartment, hotel, hospital, shopping center, warehouse, villa or office building may require different technical solutions. Common options include passenger elevators, freight elevators, hospital elevators, panoramic elevators, home lifts, service elevators, machine roomless elevators, machine room elevators and hydraulic elevators.
Before requesting a quotation from a Turkish elevator manufacturer, prepare the main technical details:
- Elevator type: passenger, freight, hospital, home lift, panoramic or service elevator
- Capacity: 320 kg, 450 kg, 630 kg, 800 kg, 1000 kg or project-specific capacity
- Number of stops and openings: total floors, entrance sides and door arrangement
- Speed: commonly 0.63 m/s, 1.0 m/s, 1.6 m/s or higher for specific projects
- Shaft dimensions: shaft width, shaft depth, pit depth and headroom
- Travel height: vertical distance between the lowest and highest landing
- Machine room: machine room, machine roomless solution or hydraulic system
- Door type: automatic center-opening, telescopic, semi-automatic or manual doors
- Cabin design: stainless steel, laminate, glass, panoramic, luxury or vandal-resistant design
- Power supply: voltage, frequency and electrical infrastructure of the installation country
If shaft drawings are available, send them together with your request. If the building is still under construction, the manufacturer can help optimize the shaft, pit and headroom dimensions before the concrete work is finalized.
2. Check Standards, Certification and Manufacturer Reliability
Elevator safety is a critical factor in international trade. For European Union projects, lifts and lift safety components should be evaluated under the Lift Directive 2014/33/EU, not only under general machinery rules. Depending on the project, relevant standards may include EN 81-20, EN 81-50, EN 81-21, EN 81-70, EN 81-72 and EN 81-73.
For vertical platform lifts or accessibility-focused home lift applications, EN 81-41 may also be relevant. This should not be confused with a standard passenger elevator under EN 81-20/50; the correct standard depends on the product type, travel height, intended use and local approval procedure.
For Russia and Eurasian Economic Union markets, buyers should check whether TR CU 011/2011 on lift safety and EAC conformity are required. GOST-R may still appear in tenders or local documentation requests, but for many EAEU lift applications, EAC-related conformity assessment is the more critical import requirement.
For Saudi Arabia and some Gulf projects, buyers should verify SASO, SABER, GSO or local municipality approval requirements before placing an order. In MENA projects, the required document package can vary significantly by country, project owner and consultant.
A reliable supplier should provide clear information about the controller, traction machine, overspeed governor, safety gear, door operator, landing doors, buffers, ropes, guide rails, cabin frame and car operating panel. You should also request technical drawings, packing list, installation documents and component manuals before shipment.
Nazar Elevator is a Turkish elevator manufacturer and exporter offering complete elevator solutions, cabins, doors, control panels and elevator components. For international buyers, working with an ISO 9001-certified manufacturer that understands both technical elevator design and export documentation can reduce risk during procurement, shipment and installation.
3. Understand Quotation, Incoterms and Payment Terms
A professional elevator quotation should clearly indicate the elevator type, capacity, speed, number of stops, door dimensions, cabin design, drive system, controller specification, included components, excluded items, production time, warranty and delivery terms.
Common Incoterms in elevator exports include EXW, FCA, FOB, CIF and DAP. Under EXW, the buyer usually manages most logistics from the factory. Under FOB or CIF, sea freight responsibilities are defined around the departure port and destination port. Under DAP, the seller may arrange delivery to a named destination, while import customs duties and taxes are usually handled by the buyer unless otherwise agreed.
For standard passenger elevator packages, production is often planned within approximately 6–10 weeks after technical approval and payment confirmation. Panoramic elevators, hospital elevators, special cabin designs, large-capacity freight lifts or project-specific components may require longer lead times.
Typical export documents may include proforma invoice, commercial invoice, packing list, certificate of origin, bill of lading or airway bill, technical drawings, conformity documents, test documents, installation manuals and component documentation.
4. Packaging, Container Loading and Shipping
Elevator packages are heavy and consist of many separate components. Packaging and loading details should be confirmed before production is completed. Wooden cases, steel frames, palletized parts, component labels and packing references help the installation team identify materials easily on site.
As a practical estimate, a 20-foot container may carry approximately 1–2 standard passenger elevator sets, while a 40-foot or 40-foot high cube container may carry approximately 3–5 standard sets, depending on capacity, door quantity, cabin size, guide rail length, packing method and whether the shipment includes heavy machines or special cabins. Final container planning should always be confirmed after the packing list is prepared.
5. Installation, Local Approval and After-Sales Support
Importing the elevator is only one part of the project. Installation and local approval are equally important. In most countries, elevators must be installed by licensed or qualified local elevator companies. The local installer should review the technical drawing before shipment and confirm that the shaft, pit, headroom, landing doors, electrical supply and machine room conditions are suitable.
For modernization projects, Turkish manufacturers can also supply modernization kits such as new control panels, doors, cabin interiors, COP/LOP panels, machines, safety components and wiring systems. Modernization should be evaluated according to the existing shaft, current equipment condition and local inspection requirements.
Buyers should also plan spare parts and maintenance from the beginning. Door rollers, guide shoes, buttons, displays, contactors, sensors, ropes, lubrication parts and electronic components should be available when needed. For spare parts and replacement components, visit the elevator spare parts page.
Request an Elevator Quotation from Turkey
Send your shaft drawing, number of stops, capacity, speed, door type and cabin design preferences to Nazar Elevator. Our technical team can prepare a project-specific elevator quotation for your import process.
FAQ: Buying an Elevator from Turkey
Which information is required to get an elevator quotation?
You should provide shaft dimensions, pit depth, headroom, travel height, number of stops, capacity, speed, door type, machine room availability and preferred cabin design.
Which Incoterm is best for importing elevators?
FOB and CIF are commonly used for sea freight, while EXW may be suitable for buyers who already have their own forwarder. DAP can be considered when the seller arranges delivery to a named destination.
How long does elevator production in Turkey usually take?
Standard passenger elevator packages are often produced in approximately 6–10 weeks after technical approval. Special designs or large-capacity projects may take longer.
Can I buy only elevator components from Turkey?
Yes. Turkish manufacturers can supply complete elevator packages or individual components such as cabins, doors, control panels, machines and spare parts.
Can Turkey supply elevator modernization kits?
Yes. Modernization kits may include new controllers, doors, cabin interiors, buttons, displays, safety components and electrical systems depending on the existing elevator condition.
