Ministry issues statement on duty-free shopping

The Ministry of Trade has implemented significant regulations regarding products entering Turkey via cross-border e-commerce. While additional taxes have begun to be applied to purchases made from the European Union (EU) and relevant e-commerce platforms during a transition period, it was announced that simplified customs applications will be completely terminated within 2026.

PUBLISHED IN THE OFFICIAL GAZETTE

With a regulation enacted in August 2024, the customs exemption limit applied to individual purchases from abroad had been reduced from 150 Euros to 30 Euros. With the latest regulation published in the Official Gazette, this exemption limit has been completely abolished.

PRODUCT SAFETY CONCERNS ACCELERATED THE REGULATION

In the statement made by the Ministry, it was emphasized that serious doubts have recently emerged regarding the safety of products purchased from cross-border e-commerce platforms. In this context, it was recalled that the European Union and the USA have introduced new practices in the field of product safety.

STRIKING RESULTS IN TESTS

The statement, which also included product safety tests conducted by the European Consumer Organization, noted that the majority of products purchased from these platforms do not meet European Union product safety standards. It was stated that high levels of toxic and carcinogenic substances were found in some products.

TO BE COMPLETELY ABOLISHED IN 2026

In line with these developments, it was reported that the EU has begun applying additional taxes for the transition period for products obtained from relevant e-commerce platforms. The statement also announced that it is planned to completely abolish simplified customs applications within 2026.

Press Release Regarding the New Regulation on Changing the Scope of the “Simplified Customs Declaration” in E-Imports

(07.01.2026) pic.twitter.com/seD2pv2Nt0

— T.C. Ticaret Bakanlığı (@ticaret) January 7, 2026

STATEMENT FROM THE MINISTRY

The statement similarly pointed out that the simplified customs procedures for orders under 800 dollars applied in the USA have also been ended, and used the following expressions:

"In recent months, the inspections and laboratory analyses conducted by our Ministry of Trade on products obtained from relevant shopping platforms have yielded results confirming the findings published by the European Consumer Organization and international organizations. In this context, a total of 182 products obtained in different categories from cross-border e-commerce platforms were examined; the non-compliant product rate was determined to be 81 percent. Within the framework of the analysis results, in the first stage, toys, shoes, and leather goods, which have a very high non-compliance rate and pose a serious threat to public health, were removed from the scope of the 'Simplified Customs Declaration' in accordance with the Circular dated October 20, 2025, regardless of the value of the ordered goods.

Examinations regarding the compliance of products entering our country through the aforementioned e-commerce platforms with Turkey's product safety criteria and necessary technical regulations have continued, and it has been evaluated that there is a need to take additional measures to ensure our citizens' access to safe and healthy products.

In this context, in line with international developments and to eliminate risks arising regarding product safety, in accordance with the amendment made to the section regarding exemptions of the 'Decision on the Implementation of Certain Articles of the Customs Law', the import of goods not of a commercial quantity and nature arriving on behalf of natural persons with a value of up to 30 Euros via Simplified Customs Declaration has been terminated, and it has been made possible for these products to be imported henceforth within the framework of normal import procedures according to the general provisions of the legislation."

"EFFECTIVE AS OF FEBRUARY 1, 2026..."

"In other words, the regulation, which was previously limited to three product groups, has been expanded, and effective as of February 1, 2026, the 'Simplified Customs Declaration' application has been ended for all products sold through foreign e-commerce platforms, regardless of the value of the ordered goods. However, this measure policy is only directed at cross-border e-commerce platforms and does not impose a restriction on the import of the mentioned product groups, provided that they are subject to normal inspections.

On the other hand, within the scope of the decision, in order to prevent the obstruction of our citizens' access to medicines and food supplements that they need to use for treatment and health reasons based on a health institution report or doctor's prescription, it has been made possible for the said goods to be brought in under exemption provisions via postal and express cargo transportation and be subject to simplified customs procedures, provided that their value does not exceed 1,500 Euros.

Furthermore, it has continued to be possible to import goods such as inspection, test, and analysis goods, sample goods and models needed by our manufacturing and exporting firms, books and similar printed publications, diplomatic goods, passenger goods, and education, science, and analysis goods via Simplified Customs Declaration.

As the Ministry of Trade, we will continue to resolutely take all necessary measures to ensure that all our citizens, especially our children, have access to safe and healthy products and to protect our consumers. On the other hand, efforts are also underway to establish a mutual preferential arrangement for our trading partners within the Customs Union, with whom we are in product safety compliance, especially the European Union. Respectfully announced to the public."