Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan has signed a decree introducing new tariffs on products ordered from abroad, imposing additional duty on goods purchased through e-commerce platforms.
This move will significantly impact international online shopping for Turkish consumers.
According to the decree, products priced at less than 30 euros ordered from the European Union will now be subject to 30 percent duty, while products from non-EU countries will be subject to 60 percent duty. This comes amid a growing trend among Turkish consumers to shop internationally, driven by the country’s high inflation rates.
The decree, which amends certain provisions of Customs Law No. 4458, also stipulates that non-commercial quantities of goods valued at up to 1,500 euros, including pharmaceutical products, will be taxed at the new rates.
This change, which is due to come into effect in 15 days, is aimed at curbing the influx of international goods via postal and express freight services, a market that has seen significant growth through platforms such as Temu, Amazon and AliExpress. These platforms have grown in popularity as consumers find it cheaper to order various products from abroad, including food.
The decree has already sparked discussions on social media. Users are complaining about the additional financial burden and the possible decline in purchasing power.
Critics argue that while these tariffs could reduce dependence on imports, they also risk increasing the cost of living for consumers who turn to international markets in search of more affordable options.
The Turkish Statistical Institute (TurkStat) reports that the country’s annual inflation rate remains high at 61.8 percent, affecting the affordability of essential goods and services.