Post Deri, Istanbul, since 1980 · Updated: 2026-09-27

Buying Shoe Leather from Turkey: A Wholesale Guide for Footwear Manufacturers

A practical guide for shoe factories and workshops: what you can buy in Istanbul, how an order works from first message to shipment, and what to check before choosing a supplier.

Why shoemakers source leather in Turkey

Turkey is a long-established exporter of leather and leather goods. According to the sector's exporters, exports reached about USD 2.06 billion in 2022 and USD 1.53 billion in 2024 ^[1]. Russia was for years the main market for Turkish leather, with USD 137 million in 2021 ^[2].

For a shoemaker the practical advantage is different: upper, lining and bottom leathers from many tanneries are available in one market in Istanbul, so you can source a full set of materials from one supplier and ship it together.

What leather you can buy

Post Deri's catalogue has 27 shoe leathers and a 33-colour chart with codes PD-01 to PD-33. Upper and lining leathers are 0.8–1.6 mm, sole leather 3.5–5.5 mm and insole leather 1.8–3.0 mm. See our guide "Types of shoe leather" for the differences.

• Upper leather: nappa, aniline and semi-aniline, box calf, patent, suede, split suede, nubuck, crazy horse, floater, printed and embossed, metallic, waxed work-boot leather, vegetable-tanned and chrome-free.
• Lining leather: cow, goat, sheep and vegetable-tanned lining.
• Bottom and specialty: sole leather, insole leather, shearling.

How an order works

1. Enquiry. Send us on WhatsApp the leather type, PD colour code, thickness and quantity. If you are not sure yet, describe the shoe model and we will suggest suitable leather.
2. Samples and colour cards. Screen colours are approximate, so it is best to receive a physical colour card or sample before the first order.
3. Price and terms. We quote once the leather, colour and volume are clear. Delivery terms follow Incoterms 2020 (for example FCA Istanbul or delivered to your warehouse).
4. Shipment. Stock items ship within the week; other items are made to order in 15–25 days.

Minimum order

We accept orders from a single roll. This suits small workshops, and it lets larger factories run a trial batch in production before committing to a season's volume.

Shipping and documents

Leather from Istanbul usually travels by truck. Forwarders quote about 7–14 days by road from Turkey to Russia and 2–5 days by air ^[3]; Istanbul to Almaty by road takes about 7–12 days ^[4]. The exact time depends on the route.

The standard document set is a commercial invoice, packing list and certificate of origin ^[3]. Check the requirements of your destination country with your customs broker in advance.

Checklist: choosing a leather supplier

• Do they send samples and a physical colour card?
• Is colour and thickness consistent from batch to batch?
• Is thickness, tannage and grade stated for every item?
• Can they combine upper, lining and bottom leather in one shipment?
• Do they reply quickly, in a language you understand?
• Will they start with a small trial order?

Frequently asked questions

Can I order several leather types in one shipment? Yes, upper, lining and bottom leathers can be combined.

How do I get a price? Send the leather type, colour code and quantity on WhatsApp; we reply the same working day.

Do you work with small workshops? Yes, the minimum order is one roll.

Related leathers

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