, halving the previous 60 percent rate to 30 percent, aligning it with tariffs imposed on European Union imports, Turkish media reported on Tuesday.){kind=link}
The Turkish government on Tuesday reduced import taxes on goods from the Turkish Republic of Northern Cyprus (KKTC), halving the previous 60 percent rate to 30 percent, aligning it with tariffs imposed on European Union imports, Turkish media reported on Tuesday.
The new tax applies to goods valued up to 1,500 euros ($1,574), including items brought by travelers, postal deliveries and cargo shipments, according to a decision published in the Official Gazette. The regulation took effect immediately.
Turkey’s move follows a similar policy change in August, when the country increased import taxes on goods from the EU from 18 percent to 30 percent. At the same time, Turkey lowered its tax-free threshold for online overseas purchases from 150 euros to 30 euros. The regulations primarily targeted inexpensive products ordered from platforms such as Temu and other online retailers.
In August, Trade Minister Ömer Bolat hinted at stricter controls on cross-border online shopping, citing concerns about low-cost imports. The updated regulation now extends this approach to goods from the KKTC, which Turkey is the only nation to recognize.
Under the new rules, individual imports from the KKTC — whether brought by travelers, mail or cargo — must not exceed 30 kilograms (66 pounds). Goods exceeding this weight will be subject to commercial customs procedures, including an additional 48 percent customs tax.
The reduction in tariffs is part of Turkey’s broader trade strategy aimed at strengthening economic ties with the KKTC. Goods meeting the specified criteria will now be taxed at the same rate as EU imports, marking a shift in policy and easing the burden on trade from the northern part of the divided island.
The Turkish Republic of Northern Cyprus declared independence in 1983, but it remains internationally unrecognized except by Turkey. The island has been divided since 1974, following a Turkish military intervention triggered by a Greek-backed coup.