Türkiye Eyes New Customs Limit for Online Shopping
shopping
The Turkish Ministry of Trade is reportedly preparing to lower the duty-free threshold for international online purchases from €30 to €22, a move likely to impact millions of e-commerce customers in Türkiye.
Mustafa Gültepe, President of the Turkish Exporters Assembly (TİM), confirmed that a new regulation is in development to revise the existing customs exemption limit, currently set at €30 (approx. 1,300 TL) to €22 (approx. 954 TL).
What Does This Mean for Shoppers?
This would mark another sharp cut to duty-free privileges for overseas shopping, following the August 2024 decision to lower the exemption from €150 to €30. The updated rule would mean any purchase above €22, including shipping, would be subject to taxes and customs duties.
CNBC-e reported that the proposal, once enacted, could significantly affect product prices—especially for electronics, cosmetics, fashion, and accessories.
Domestic Industry Comes First
The rationale? Protecting Türkiye’s local manufacturers. Gültepe stated that imported low-cost goods, especially from Europe and China, pose a growing threat to domestic businesses. By tightening the tax-free limit, the aim is to level the playing field for Turkish producers.
Consumer Backlash Rising
However, the measure has sparked fierce criticism from consumers, especially on social media. Many argue that with soaring exchange rates, €22 is an unrealistic threshold, even for low-value personal items.
“The new rule will make even the smallest e-commerce orders taxable,” wrote one user on X.