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Sources at Turkey’s finance and trade ministries have denied reports that the government is preparing to scrap a €30 ($32) duty-free ceiling for cross-border online shopping.
Ending the exemption would mean that even the cheapest online purchases — currently subject only to a simplified charge — would instead face regular import duties and domestic taxes. Officials told broadcaster CNBC-e that no such step is under consideration.
The clarification came after Turkish business daily Ekonomim reported that Ankara was planning to abolish the limit, citing unnamed sources who argued that the rapid growth of Chinese e-commerce platforms such as Temu and Shein had triggered pressure for tighter regulations.
The newspaper noted that the European Union is moving ahead with a customs reform proposal that would eliminate its own €150 ($160) exemption in 2028. EU officials are also considering extra measures, such as a €2 ($2.15) handling fee per direct-to-consumer parcel and €0.50 ($0.54) for shipments routed through EU warehouses. These are still only proposals and require further approval.
According to Ekonomim the reported Turkish plan would have subjected all online purchases to the standard import regime, meaning they would be taxed like any other imported goods, with customs duties and domestic taxes applied depending on the product type. One industry source told the paper that the issue was also on the agenda of the Turkish Union of Chambers and Commodity Exchanges (TOBB), citing Chinese platforms’ monthly sales to Turkey of more than $300 million.
Officials from the trade ministry denied the claim, saying: “The sector has long been working in this direction. However, the Ministry of Trade has no work regarding lowering or abolishing the limits. No step has been taken in this direction.”
Rapid growth of Chinese platforms
Chinese e-commerce giants have expanded quickly in Turkey, reshaping the market. Temu, which had around 7 million visitors in July 2024, reached 29 million in July 2025, surpassing Amazon Turkey and approaching half the traffic of local rival Hepsiburada, according to research firm Gemius.
Figures from the Interbank Card Center (BKM) showed that cross-border e-commerce purchases in the first half of 2025 rose 65 percent year-on-year to 155.4 billion lira ($4.7 billion), a record high. By contrast, online sales abroad made with foreign cards — so-called e-exports — increased only 7.4 percent to 83 billion lira ($2.5 billion). The widening gap highlights how imports are outpacing exports in Turkey’s digital trade.
Beyond trade balances, Temu has attracted criticism inside Turkey for fostering compulsive shopping habits, particularly among younger users, and for putting pressure on sectors ranging from electronics and apparel to household goods.
Elsewhere, governments are also tightening rules on low-value imports. Indonesia recently restricted Temu to protect local retailers, while France has pushed the EU to accelerate its reform plan. Analysts note that such steps reflect wider global concerns over the dominance of Chinese platforms.
Current system and past changes
Under Turkey’s simplified scheme for low-value parcels, shipments below the threshold incur a single, fixed customs charge — 30 percent for items shipped from the EU and 60 percent for those from non-EU countries — with additional special consumption taxes applied where relevant.
The ceiling itself has been repeatedly lowered. In August 2024 the allowance was cut from €150 to €30. A further amendment in December reduced the limit to €27 when shipping costs are included, while also allowing an additional €3 ($3.20) delivery fee per order when shipping costs are not included in the purchase.
Under the regular tariff system, many imported goods face duties ranging from 30 to more than 200 percent, with higher rates on products such as clothing, electronics and food, in addition to Turkey’s 20 percent value added tax.
Despite speculation, officials said the current exemption remains in force. Analysts, however, warn that the debate is unlikely to fade. With Chinese platforms continuing to expand and EU reforms on the horizon, pressure may mount on Ankara to revisit the policy in the coming years.