Türkiye’s business and industry associations urged the European Union to exclude the country from its proposal to abolish the customs duty exemption on e-commerce shipments worth less than €150.
The EU’s plan primarily targets small parcels from China, which make up the majority of low-value imports into the bloc. However, Turkish business representatives warn that the measure could inadvertently hurt Türkiye’s small exporters and strain its closely linked trade ties with the EU under the Customs Union.
Sector representatives contend that Türkiye should be exempt from the new scheme due to its Customs Union membership and strong, interconnected supply-chain relationships with the EU.
Sekib Avdagic, president of the Istanbul Chamber of Commerce (ITO), told Anadolu news agency that if the current threshold is abolished, the EU’s plan would subject all low-value imports to customs duties.
“Some 91% of all e-commerce shipments under €150 to the EU came from China last year,” he said, noting that the bloc’s decision is primarily targeting Chinese-origin goods. “It is not clear which countries this new scheme will cover, so this may affect Turkish entrepreneurs, and it needs to be resolved as soon as possible,” he said.
Avdagic emphasized that Türkiye does not pose a threat to EU economies and instead serves as a complementary trading partner. He also mentioned that the Turkish Trade Ministry has been actively working to enhance commercial relations with the bloc.
Türkiye’s e-commerce exports are projected to hit $8 billion this year, with a substantial share headed to EU markets.
Mustafa Gultepe, president of the Turkish Exporters’ Assembly (TIM), told Anadolu that while the EU’s measure is aimed at limiting Chinese shipments, Turkish exporters—especially in textiles and ready-to-wear—would also be impacted if the regulation is implemented.
He cautioned that removing the €150 shipments exemption would raise the final prices of Turkish products in the bloc, posing a challenge amid the recent slowdown in Europe’s textile sector. Such a move could result in reduced orders, lower turnover, and job losses, especially among SMEs.
If the exemption is not granted, measures such as enhancing e-commerce export support for the EU and lowering logistics costs will be essential for Turkish exports to remain competitive, he added.
The European Commission has not specified whether Türkiye will be included in the proposed measure. Meanwhile, discussions and technical consultations are anticipated to continue through 2025, ahead of the regulation’s planned rollout in 2026.
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