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Türkiye Fines Nearly 200,000 Firms Over $1 Billion in 2025 Market Inspections

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Türkiye’s Ministry of Trade announced a sweeping market inspection campaign for the January–April 2025 period, targeting over 200,000 businesses and 11.7 million products nationwide. The results: 198,357 firms were found in violation of market regulations and fined a total of 1.025 billion Turkish Lira (approx. $31.6 million USD), marking one of the largest enforcement waves in recent years.

Key Figures – 2025 Trade Inspections (Jan–Apr):

  • Firms inspected: 198,357

  • Products examined: 11.7 million

  • Total administrative fines: ₺1,025,000,000

  • Firms penalized: 198,357

Fines by Sector: Record Penalties for Unfair Practices and False Advertising

The Ministry’s General Directorate of Domestic Trade conducted inspections in real estate, automotive, gold retail, stockpiling, unfair pricing, and contract violations:

  • Unfair commercial practices & late payments: ₺231.4 million

  • Price gouging: ₺126.7 million

  • Jewelry sector: ₺16.5 million

  • Real estate violations: ₺4.2 million

  • Automotive sector: ₺4.67 million

  • Total sector-specific fines: Over ₺395.5 million

Consumer Protection and Product Safety Violations Also Penalized

The General Directorate for Consumer Protection and Market Surveillance reported:

  • Consumers’ contract violations (e.g., pre-paid housing, subscriptions, tours): ₺104.1 million

  • False advertising & unfair business practices: ₺114.8 million

  • Product safety violations: ₺15 million

  • Total consumer protection-related fines: ₺233.9 million

Top Cities Fined – İstanbul Leads the List

In provincial inspections carried out through local Trade Directorates:

  • İstanbul: 94,425 product violations, ₺301.8 million in fines

  • Antalya: ₺1.78 million in fines

  • Ankara: ₺1.47 million in fines

  • Nationwide firm inspections (via local directorates): 146,456

  • Firms fined via local directorates: 33,169 firms

  • Fines via local directorates: ₺396.1 million

Competition Authority Steps In: Nearly ₺4.5 Billion in Sector Penalties

In a separate effort, the Turkish Competition Authority imposed a staggering ₺4.47 billion in fines on 58 companies from the food, insurance, finance, construction, and chemical sectors during the first four months of 2025 alone. In comparison, 223 companies were fined ₺7.73 billion throughout 2024.

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