Starting February 1, 2026, all individual purchases from foreign platforms like Temu and AliExpress will face standard import procedures, as the Trade Ministry cites severe product safety risks.
In a move that marks the end of an era for low-cost international online shopping, Türkiye has announced the complete revocation of simplified customs clearance for low-value items. According to a presidential decree published in the Official Gazette on January 7, 2026, the new regulations will take effect on February 1, 2026, effectively removing the duty-free “safe harbor” for individual consumers.
Previously, Turkish residents could benefit from a simplified customs process for goods with a CIF (Cost, Insurance, and Freight) value of up to €30. This system allowed small packages to enter the country with minimal documentation and lower fixed tax rates. However, under the new decree, this threshold is abolished, and all non-medical products will now be subject to standard customs clearance regardless of their price tag.
Crackdown on Product Safety and Toxic Substances The Turkish Trade Ministry emphasized that this decision was not merely fiscal but driven by urgent product safety concerns. Recent inspections conducted in October 2025 revealed that a staggering 81% of products entering through simplified channels were deemed “risky.”
“Widespread findings show that many items fail to meet European Union (EU) safety standards,” the Ministry stated. Investigations highlighted that high-volume categories—particularly toys, footwear, and leather goods—frequently contained dangerous levels of toxic or carcinogenic substances. By mandating regular import procedures, the government aims to ensure that every item undergoes rigorous technical inspection before reaching Turkish doorsteps.
Temu and AliExpress Under the Spotlight The regulation is expected to hit Chinese e-commerce giants, most notably Temu and AliExpress, the hardest. These platforms have seen explosive growth in the Turkish market due to ultra-low pricing strategies. With the removal of simplified clearance:
- Tax Hikes: Goods from non-EU countries will now face customs duties of up to 60%, while EU-origin products will be taxed at 30%.
- Operational Barriers: Every single order must now undergo a regular customs declaration, which involves additional service fees and longer wait times for consumers.
- The “Health Exception”: The only remaining simplified path is reserved for non-commercial medicines and dietary supplements valued up to €1,500, provided they are supported by a doctor’s prescription.
Domestic Industry Welcomes the Move The Union of Chambers and Commodity Exchanges of Türkiye (TOBB)has lauded the decision. TOBB President Rifat Hisarcıklıoğlu described the move as “proper and necessary,” stating that uncontrolled e-imports were creating unfair competition for Turkish Small and Medium Enterprises (SMEs) and posing significant health risks to the public.
As the February deadline approaches, international logistics providers and e-commerce platforms are scrambling to update their systems to comply with Türkiye’s stringent new import landscape, which mirrors a broader global trend of tightening controls on cross-border B2C trade.
