ISTANBUL

Representatives of Türkiye’s business and industry groups called on the European Union to exempt the country from its plan to scrap the customs duty exemption for e-commerce orders valued under 150 euros ($174).

The EU’s proposal aims to curb small-scale shipments from China, which dominate low-value imports into the bloc. However, Turkish business leaders say the move could unintentionally harm Türkiye’s small-scale exporters and disrupt the country’s tightly integrated trade relationship with the EU through the Customs Union.

Türkiye’s Customs Union membership and deep supply-chain ties are among the reasons sector representatives argue that Türkiye should be excluded from the new scheme.

Sekib Avdagic, president of the Istanbul Chamber of Commerce (ITO), told Anadolu that the EU’s plan would impose customs duties on all low-value imports if the current threshold is removed.

“Some 91% of all e-commerce shipments under 150 euros 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.”

Avdagic said Türkiye poses no threat to EU economies and instead complements them as a close trading partner. He added that the Turkish Trade Ministry has been working actively to strengthen commercial ties with the bloc.

Türkiye’s e-commerce exports are expected to reach $8 billion this year, a large portion destined for EU markets. “If Türkiye is not exempted from this decision, it will affect our small- and medium-sized enterprise (SME) e-exports,” he said.

Mustafa Gultepe, president of the Turkish Exporters’ Assembly (TIM), told Anadolu that although the EU’s move is designed to curb Chinese shipments, Turkish exporters will also be affected if the regulation enters force in its current form, particularly in textiles and ready-to-wear goods.

Gultepe said e-commerce exports account for 2.5% of Türkiye’s total exports, amounting to $6.5 billion. “The EU makes up a significant portion of this volume,” he said.

He warned that ending the 150-euro exemption would increase the final prices of Turkish products in the bloc, a disadvantage given the recent downturn in Europe’s textile and ready-to-wear market. This, he said, would likely lead to declines in orders, turnover and employment, particularly among SMEs.

“It is key for Türkiye to request to be exempted from this due to our Customs Union partnerships, supply chain integration, and compliance with EU regulations,” he said.

“In failure to secure exemption, counterbalancing measures like strengthening the e-commerce export support for the EU and reducing logistics costs will be key for Turkish exports to maintain their competitiveness,” he added.