ISTANBUL — Türkiye’s Ombudsman Institution (KDK) has recommended that the government review the country’s customs regulations for cross-border e-commerce purchases, arguing that the current rules place an excessive burden on consumers shopping through international platforms such as Temu and AliExpress.
The recommendation came after the KDK examined complaints from consumers regarding the sharp reduction in the duty-free import threshold and the stricter customs procedures introduced for overseas online shopping.
According to the Ombudsman, the existing regulations have significantly increased the cost of purchases from foreign e-commerce platforms, limiting consumers’ access to competitively priced products. The institution recommended that the relevant ministries reassess the customs framework and consider raising the current import limit, which many consumers argue is no longer practical under current market conditions.
The KDK emphasized that customs policies should strike a balance between protecting domestic manufacturers and safeguarding consumers’ rights. It noted that regulations should be fair, proportionate, and aligned with the principles of good governance.
Türkiye has progressively tightened its rules on cross-border online shopping in recent years. The duty-free threshold for individual imports was reduced from €150 to €30 in 2024, while additional customs duties and fees were imposed on goods arriving from non-EU countries. In 2026, the government also ended simplified customs clearance procedures for many low-value e-commerce imports, citing concerns over product safety and unfair competition for domestic producers.
The Ombudsman’s recommendation is advisory rather than binding. However, it calls on the Ministry of Trade and other relevant authorities to re-evaluate the current customs regime in light of consumer complaints and the rapid growth of international e-commerce platforms.
The proposal is expected to fuel debate over whether Türkiye should ease import restrictions to benefit consumers or maintain its current policies aimed at protecting local industry and ensuring product safety.
Source: Patronlar Dünyası/ Prepared by: İlayda Gök