Turkey Cracks Down on Unsafe Imports from Foreign E-Commerce Sites

The Turkish Ministry of Trade has launched a nationwide initiative to tighten safety checks on products ordered from international e-commerce platforms, following alarming lab results from the EU, South Korea, and Scandinavian countries.

Recent laboratory tests in these regions found that a range of online goods—including clothing, footwear, leather items, and children’s products—contained hazardous levels of toxic and carcinogenic substances, raising public health concerns globally and in Türkiye.

Imported Online Goods Under Scrutiny

In response to growing fears that such products are reaching Türkiye with minimal oversight, the Ministry of Trade, in coordination with relevant product safety authorities, has begun targeted inspections of imported items sold through foreign online retailers.

Initial inspections will concentrate on high-risk categories such as:

• Toys

• Baby products

• Textiles and leather goods

• Shoes and apparel

This move mirrors European Union regulatory practices, which require technical documentation and safety certifications for products entering the market.

Protecting Consumers from Toxic Imports

The ministry emphasized that the primary goal is to ensure all goods available to Turkish consumers are free of harmful chemicals, comply with national technical standards, and pose no health risks, especially to vulnerable groups such as children and infants.

The enhanced controls aim to prevent unsafe, uncertified products from entering the domestic market through international sellers, a growing concern in an era of rapidly expanding cross-border e-commerce.

What Consumers Should Know

Authorities recommend that consumers:

• Purchase from verified sellers with transparent safety certifications

• Check product labels and documentation for compliance information

• Report suspicious or potentially hazardous products to consumer safety hotlines

The Ministry is also evaluating stricter import regulations, including the possibility of blocking entry for non-compliant goods or imposing penalties on sellers who fail to meet safety standards.