Buying Cut-to-Size Marble Slabs in Turkey – Complete Process Explained

Turkey is one of the world’s leading producers of natural stone, especially marble. With hundreds of active quarries and advanced processing facilities, the country offers a seamless experience for international buyers who want custom-sized slabs for residential or commercial projects. Whether you’re sourcing for a hotel lobby, a luxury villa, or a retail showroom, understanding the step-by-step process of buying cut-to-size marble slabs in Turkey will help you make informed and profitable decisions.

Selecting the Right Quarry and Material

The process begins with choosing the desired stone type — for example, Mugla White, Afyon Sugar, Burdur Beige, or Aegean Gray.

Buyers can explore quarries or stone galleries across Afyon, Denizli, and Isparta regions to evaluate color consistency, veining, and block size.

Most Turkish suppliers will provide samples and photos of live stock before production. Once the buyer confirms a material, a block reservation is made at the quarry or factory.

Defining Dimensions and Finishes

Cut-to-size means that slabs or tiles are produced exactly according to your project’s dimensions.
You’ll need to specify:

• Thickness (usually 2 cm or 3 cm)
• Dimensions (slabs, tiles, stairs, countertops, wall panels)
• Surface finish (polished, honed, brushed, tumbled, sandblasted, etc.)

Turkish factories are equipped with modern CNC and bridge-cutting machines that can produce precision cuts with millimeter accuracy. This flexibility is one of the key reasons buyers choose Turkey over other sourcing countries.

Quotation and Proforma Invoice

Once the dimensions and finishes are confirmed, the supplier issues a quotation or proforma invoice (PI).
This includes:

• Stone type and quantity
• Price per square meter or per piece
• Finishing type
• Lead time
• Shipping terms (FOB, EXW, or CIF)

Prices in Turkey are typically more competitive — often 30–40% lower than Italian or Spanish equivalents of similar quality.

Production and Quality Control

After the proforma is approved and the deposit (usually 30–50%) is received, the factory starts cutting and surface treatment.

Most reputable Turkish suppliers follow international quality inspection standards and share production updates with photos and videos.

Before shipment, each slab is cleaned, labeled, and packed in wooden crates suitable for export.

Buyers can also hire third-party inspectors (like SGS or Bureau Veritas) to perform on-site quality checks before loading.

Packaging and Export Documentation

Marble slabs are packed in strong fumigated wooden crates, reinforced with metal straps.
Export documents typically include:

• Commercial Invoice
• Packing List
• Certificate of Origin
• Bill of Lading (B/L)
• Insurance Certificate (if applicable)

Turkish suppliers are well-versed in international export procedures and can assist with all paperwork for customs clearance.

Shipping and Logistics

Most marble exports from Turkey are shipped through major ports such as Izmir, Mersin, or Istanbul.

For buyers in the U.S. or Europe, shipping times usually range between 15 to 35 days, depending on destination and shipping terms.

Buyers can choose:

• FOB (Free on Board) – the seller delivers goods to the port.
• EXW (Ex Works) – the buyer arranges pickup from the factory.
• CIF (Cost, Insurance, Freight) – the supplier handles freight and insurance.

Customs and Delivery at Destination

Once the shipment arrives, your customs broker will handle import clearance, duties, and taxes.

After clearance, the crates are transported to your warehouse, jobsite, or stone yard.

A careful inspection upon arrival is recommended — check for damages, slab count, and finish consistency.

Why Turkey Is the Best Choice for Cut-to-Size Projects

• Precision technology and fast production timelines
• Affordable pricing with premium aesthetics
• Strong export infrastructure and reliable logistics
• Custom finishing and flexibility for any project scale
• Experienced suppliers who understand international trade standards

Whether you’re an architect, importer, or contractor, buying cut-to-size marble slabs from Turkey gives you high quality, design versatility, and significant cost advantages — all in one place.