Cut-to-Size Marble Export: The Process Step by Step

Cut-to-size (CTS) means natural stone is produced to the exact dimensions specified in a client's project drawings or dimension schedule — then packaged, numbered and delivered ready for direct site installation without further on-site cutting.

The difference from standard slab supply: in a CTS order the client provides shop drawings (AutoCAD or PDF) or an itemised dimension list; the manufacturer produces each piece to those dimensions and delivers them numbered and sequenced for installation. On-site waste is eliminated; installation speed increases significantly.

This format is especially valued in large-scale hotel, hospital or shopping-centre projects where phased and sequenced installation is operationally critical — and in export projects where re-ordering after delivery is not feasible.

Documents required from the client: application plan (AutoCAD or PDF); dimension schedule (Excel); material specification (stone type, colour, surface finish, thickness); installation sequence and numbering requirements.

Sipahi Marble's technical team reviews all client documents before production begins, identifying dimensional discrepancies, axis conflicts or sequencing errors that would otherwise surface as costly on-site problems.

In a CTS project, stone selection and sample approval is one of the most critical steps. For large orders, samples cut from the same quarry lot should be sent to the client for colour and pattern approval before full production begins.

Sipahi Marble's 50+ quarry network allows clients to request non-catalogue colours or patterns. The sampling process provides both a digital colour reference card and a physical sample panel.

The approved dimension schedule is loaded into the CNC programme; each piece is produced via automated cutting. CNC dimensional tolerance is ±0.5 mm.

Quality control stages: dimensional verification (calliper measurement); surface finish check (gloss reading); visual defect inspection (chip, crack, colour deviation); lot homogeneity assessment.

Each piece receives a project-number, sequence-number and installation-position label.

In CTS export, packaging is critical to preventing transit damage. Sipahi Marble's packaging standard: wooden crates, foam interlayer protection, plastic film wrap and corner angle protection.

Weight distribution in container: large, heavy pieces at the container base; smaller pieces above. Steel strapping secures the load.

A 20-foot FCL container holds approximately 20 tonnes of product. Larger projects use 40-foot containers.

Required export documents: Commercial Invoice; Bill of Lading (sea) or CMR (road); Packing List; Certificate of Origin (Turkish origin); EUR.1 or Form A where applicable; customs export declaration.

Iraq export: Arabic-language commercial invoice and Iraq Ministry of Trade-endorsed origin certificate are required.

Gulf export: similar to Iraq; UAE may additionally require Chamber of Commerce legalisation.

Central Asia (Uzbekistan, Kazakhstan): road (TIR) or rail transport — TIR carnet document required.

Gulf countries: sea freight via Mersin or İskenderun port; transit to Jebel Ali (Dubai) or Hamad (Qatar) port.

Iraq: TIR truck via Gürbulak border crossing or sea freight via Basra/Aqaba.

Central Asia: TIR or container road freight (via Iran) or rail (Georgia–Azerbaijan–Kazakhstan corridor).

Insurance: All-Risk marine cargo insurance is a mandatory recommendation on all export consignments.

Minimum order quantity? Project-dependent; typical minimum is 50 m².

Production lead time? Including sample approval: 3–6 weeks depending on project scale.

Transit time? Gulf: 10–15 days; Iraq: 7–10 days (TIR); Central Asia: 20–35 days.

Payment terms? Letter of Credit (L/C) or bank transfer (T/T) for international projects.