August 18, 2026
Türkiye’s Ministry of Trade has prepared a draft regulation introducing a series of new rules aimed at strengthening competition and protecting the rights of consumers and sellers in the e-commerce sector. The proposed changes include mandatory compensation for shipment-related damage and a new right for sellers to transfer their data to other platforms.
Platforms to Be Required to Address Shipping Damage
The draft regulation introduces clearer responsibilities for losses, damage and similar problems occurring during delivery and returns.
E-commerce marketplaces that act as intermediaries between sellers and courier companies will be required to clearly define compensation mechanisms in their contracts. Platforms that fail to comply with these contractual requirements could have their practices classified as unfair commercial practices.
Sellers to Gain the Right to Transfer Their Data
Medium-sized, large and very large e-commerce marketplaces will be required to transfer sellers’ data to another platform free of charge upon request.
The data covered by the proposed regulation includes:
- Product descriptions
- Product images
- Sales and return data
- Customer reviews
- Customer questions and answers
The measure is designed to reduce small businesses’ dependence on a single marketplace by making it easier for them to move their operations to competing platforms.
Consumers would also benefit, as sellers could carry their historical performance and customer feedback to a new platform rather than starting from scratch.
Restrictions on Brand Use in Search Engine Advertising
The draft also introduces new restrictions aimed at preventing unfair competition in search engine advertising.
A business that does not have an economic relationship with another company would not be allowed to use that company’s registered trademark, which is registered in the Ministry’s system, in marketing and promotional activities without prior permission.
If an infringement continues following complaints, the Ministry of Trade could formally request that the relevant search engine remove the advertisement or restrict access to it.
Flexibility for Social and Public-Interest Campaigns
The proposed rules would also provide flexibility for advertising expenditures related to public-interest activities and social solidarity projects.
In exceptional circumstances such as earthquakes, fires and floods, as well as campaigns involving discounts or promotions targeting disadvantaged groups, up to 5% of certain expenditures could be exempted from advertising budget restrictions, subject to the Ministry’s approval.
The draft regulation is expected to reshape the relationship between e-commerce marketplaces, sellers, courier companies and consumers by increasing transparency, strengthening sellers’ ability to switch platforms and establishing clearer responsibilities for delivery-related problems.
Source: Patronlar Dünyası/ Prepared by: İlayda Gök