Turkey Removes 30 Euro Customs Exemption: What You Need to Know About Overseas Shopping

As of February 6, 2026, the 30 Euro customs exemption on overseas purchases in Turkey has been abolished. This regulation directly affects millions of consumers and e-commerce sellers ordering from platforms like Temu, AliExpress, and Amazon. In this guide, we cover the new customs rules, tax calculation methods, and practical information for consumers and sellers.

What Was the 30 Euro Customs Exemption?

In Turkey, goods arriving from abroad via cargo and postal services below a certain value were exempt from customs duty. This threshold was set at 22 Euros for a long time and was later raised to 30 Euros.

Thanks to this exemption:

Orders of 30 Euros or less were exempt from customs duties
Consumers could make small purchases without additional costs
Low-priced products from platforms like AliExpress and Temu could be imported tax-free

However, with the removal of this exemption, all overseas orders are now subject to customs duty regardless of their value.

Why Was the Exemption Removed?

There are multiple reasons behind the removal of the exemption:

Protecting Domestic Producers

Low-priced products from abroad created unfair competition for domestic producers and sellers. Due to the tax exemption, imported products became more advantageous compared to domestic ones.

Tax Fairness

While domestic e-commerce sellers paid VAT and other taxes, low-value products from abroad remained tax-exempt. This disrupted tax fairness.

Increasing E-commerce Volume

The rapid growth of users on platforms like Temu and AliExpress in Turkey magnified the fiscal impact of the exemption. Hundreds of thousands of packages were entering the country duty-free every day.

International Alignment

The European Union also removed a similar exemption in 2021. Turkey's move is an approach parallel to international practices.

New Customs Regulation: After February 6, 2026

According to the new regulation effective from February 6, 2026:

All overseas orders are now subject to customs duty
Tax will be calculated on every shipment regardless of value
Customs declaration requirements have been expanded
Cargo companies will act as intermediaries in tax collection

Who Is Affected?

All individuals shopping online from abroad
Users ordering from platforms like Temu, AliExpress, Amazon, and Shein
Small businesses sourcing raw materials or products from abroad
E-commerce sellers doing dropshipping

How Will Overseas Orders Be Taxed Now?

With the new regulation, the following taxes will be applied to every product coming from abroad:

Customs Duty

Customs duty is calculated at rates varying by product category. The general rate is between 18-20%, but may vary depending on the product type.

Value Added Tax (VAT)

In addition to customs duty, a 20% VAT is applied. VAT is calculated on the sum of the product price and customs duty.

Special Consumption Tax (SCT)

SCT may also apply to electronic devices, cosmetics, and certain luxury products.

How to Calculate Customs Duty: Step-by-Step Example

You can use our VAT Calculator to calculate the total cost of products you order from abroad. This tool allows you to learn VAT rates in different countries and easily calculate net/gross amounts.

Let's clarify the topic with a concrete calculation example:

Example: A Phone Case Worth 25 Euros

Product price: 25 Euros (approximately 950 TL, assuming 1 Euro = 38 TL)
Shipping cost: 5 Euros (190 TL)
Customs base: 25 + 5 = 30 Euros (1,140 TL)
Customs duty (20%): 228 TL
VAT base: 1,140 + 228 = 1,368 TL
VAT (20%): 273.60 TL
Total additional cost: 228 + 273.60 = 501.60 TL
Total amount paid: 1,140 + 501.60 = 1,641.60 TL

In this example, approximately 500 TL in additional tax would need to be paid for a product worth 950 TL.

Before and After Comparison

Situation	Previous Practice	New Practice (After February 6, 2026)
Orders under 30 Euros	No customs duty	Customs duty applies
Customs declaration	Not required	Mandatory
VAT application	Exempt	Applied
Shipping process	Direct delivery	Delivery after customs inspection
Estimated additional cost	0 TL	40-50% of product value

How Will Temu, AliExpress, and Amazon Orders Be Affected?

Temu

Temu generally sells low-priced products. With the new regulation, customs duty will be applied to all Temu orders. The total cost of even low-priced products will increase significantly. Delivery times may be extended due to customs inspections.

AliExpress

For purchases made through AliExpress, tax will be calculated even on orders under 30 Euros. For very low-priced products, the tax rate may exceed the product price. Sellers may be expected to implement Turkey-specific pricing.

Amazon (International)

For orders from Amazon's overseas warehouses, customs duty and VAT can be calculated automatically. Amazon already implements this system in some countries. The delivery process may remain relatively orderly.

When shopping from international e-commerce platforms, it is important to verify your business partners and sellers. You can use our SIRET/SIREN Validator tool to check business information of European-based sellers.

Customs Declaration Requirement

The customs declaration process has also changed with the new regulation:

Declaration is now mandatory for all overseas shipments
Cargo companies will generally handle the declaration process on behalf of the buyer
Some cargo companies may charge additional service fees
Product value, type, and origin must be declared during the process

What Will Change in Shipping and Delivery?

With the expansion of customs control processes, delivery times may be extended by 3-7 days. Waiting time at customs may increase and cargo companies may collect taxes at the time of delivery. Some products may be subject to additional document checks.

How Much Could Consumer Costs Increase?

The impact of the new regulation on consumer costs varies by product category:

Product Category	Estimated Additional Cost Rate
Textiles and Clothing	40-50%
Electronic Accessories	40-45%
Cosmetic Products	50-60%
Toys and Hobbies	35-45%
Home and Living Products	35-45%

These rates are approximate and may vary depending on the customs tariff position of the product.

Impact on E-commerce Sellers

The new customs regulation also directly affects e-commerce sellers:

Dropshipping Sellers

The cost of direct shipping from abroad to customers will increase. Customer satisfaction may be negatively affected by customs processes. Alternative supply models should be evaluated.

Those Sourcing Stock from Abroad

Wholesale purchase costs will rise due to taxes. Profit margins may decrease and price updates may be inevitable.

Opportunities

Domestic production and sourcing will become advantageous. Competition will be leveled for local sellers and producers. Domestic e-commerce platforms in Turkey may become more attractive.

In overseas supplier verification processes, the SIRET/SIREN Validator tool can help you check the reliability of France-based business partners.

What to Know Before Placing an Order

Key points to consider before ordering from abroad:

Calculate the total cost: Add customs duty and VAT to the product price
Include shipping costs: Shipping costs are also included in the customs base
Consider delivery time: Customs inspections may extend the timeline
Learn the cargo company's policy: Some companies may charge additional service fees
Research domestic alternatives: You may find the same product at a better price in Turkey
Keep invoices and documents: They may be needed for potential dispute processes

VAT Refund Opportunity When Traveling Abroad

While the new customs regulation affects online orders from abroad, you can get VAT refunds on purchases made when traveling abroad. In most European countries, you can get back a portion of the VAT you paid on purchases made as a tourist.

If you have travel plans, you can use our VAT Refund Calculator to calculate in advance how much refund you can get in which country. This tool shows minimum purchase amounts, refund rates, and estimated refund amounts.

Tips for More Affordable International Shopping

Despite the new regulation, there are ways to optimize your overseas purchases:

Domestic Alternatives in Turkey

International product variety is increasing on domestic platforms like Trendyol and Hepsiburada. The quality and price balance of domestic producers is improving. Shipping times and return processes are easier.

Bulk Purchasing

You can reduce shipping costs by combining multiple products in a single order. However, customs duty will be calculated on the total value.

Price Comparison

Compare with domestic alternatives by calculating the total cost after tax. Sometimes better prices can be found on domestic platforms.

Customs Tariff Information

Research the customs tariff of the product you plan to order in advance. Different tax rates apply to different product categories.

Using verification tools in international trade processes is also beneficial. For purchases from Europe, you can verify that the seller is a registered business using our SIRET/SIREN Validator.

Frequently Asked Questions

When was the 30 Euro customs exemption removed?

The 30 Euro customs exemption was removed as of February 6, 2026. All overseas orders placed after this date are subject to customs duty.

Will we now pay customs duty on all overseas orders?

Yes, from February 6, 2026, customs duty and VAT will be applied to all overseas shipments regardless of value.

How is customs duty paid?

Customs duty is generally collected through the cargo company. You may be asked to make payment online during or before package delivery.

How much more expensive will shopping from Temu and AliExpress be?

Depending on the product value and category, total costs may increase by 35-60%. Products that appeared cheap before tax may become more expensive than domestic alternatives after tax.

Can customs duty be refunded in case of return?

Refund of customs duty may be possible when a product is returned, but this process requires additional procedures. You may need to contact your cargo company and customs office.

Are gift shipments also subject to tax?

Yes, with the new regulation, products sent as gifts are also subject to customs duty. The gift exemption has also been removed.

Are there products exempt from customs duty?

Different tax rates may apply to certain product groups such as books. However, as a general rule, tax applies to all products. Follow Ministry of Trade announcements for details.

How can I verify the reliability of an overseas seller?

When shopping from Europe, you can check the registered business numbers of sellers. For France-based sellers, you can verify the business number using our SIRET/SIREN Validator tool.

Conclusion

The removal of the 30 Euro customs exemption is a regulation that will fundamentally change overseas shopping habits in Turkey. It has become even more important for consumers to calculate total costs before ordering, research domestic alternatives, and shop consciously.

For e-commerce sellers, shifting to domestic supply sources and adapting business models to new conditions has become critical.

The information in this guide is for general informational purposes. For exact results in tax calculations, we recommend consulting the Ministry of Trade and relevant official sources.

Useful Tools

VAT Calculator - Calculate VAT rates in different countries
VAT Refund Calculator - Find out how much VAT refund you can get on your overseas travels
SIRET/SIREN Validator - Verify the reliability of your overseas business partners