New Amendments to Turkey’s Electronic Commerce Regulation: What You Need to Know

On 8 March 2025, the Turkish Ministry of Trade announced several important amendments to the regulation governing electronic commerce intermediary service providers (ETAHS) and electronic commerce service providers (ETHS). These changes, published in the Official Gazette (Issue No. 32835), aim to improve transparency, ensure fair competition, and protect both service providers and consumers in the fast-growing online marketplace.

A Closer Look at the Changes

Enhanced Transparency and Information Requirements

• Detailed Provider Information:
  The regulation now requires all ETHS operating on electronic marketplaces to display key identifiers on their designated pages. Depending on whether they are registered traders or not, providers must show either their trade name, registered trademark, or personal identification details. Additionally, tax numbers (for artisans) and MERSİS numbers (for traders) must be clearly indicated.

• Verification of Provider Data:
  The intermediary service providers (ETAHS) are tasked with verifying the accuracy of the information provided by ETHS. This includes checking data against accessible electronic systems or verifying documents submitted by the ETHS. Regular annual checks are now mandatory to ensure that all data remains current.

Adjustments in Contractual and Penalty Clauses

• Changes to Withdrawal Rights and Penalties:
  New amendments limit the extension of withdrawal rights beyond the statutory periods defined in consumer protection laws. Furthermore, if an ETHS fails to update their information within the set period, ETAHS can restrict the service to only manage existing orders until the data is updated. In cases where penalty clauses are involved, ETAHS may apply them without seeking additional explanations if supporting evidence is available.

Data Portability and Access

• Data Portability Provisions:
  ETHS are now required to facilitate free and effective data transfer during and after the duration of their contractual agreements. This includes sales data, product details, and customer interactions such as reviews and Q&A. These measures are designed to promote competition and ease the transition for providers wishing to change service platforms.

• Access to Promotional and Sales Data:
  For larger-scale operators, ETAHS must provide free access to certain aggregated sales data, including performance ratings and buyer demographics. This data can be crucial for ETHS looking to analyze trends and improve their service offerings.

Advertising, Discounts, and International Sales

• Regulated Advertising Budgets:
  Specific provisions now control how discounts, promotions, and other economic incentives are handled. For instance, a percentage of sponsorship expenses is excluded from the advertising budget. There are also clear rules to prevent ETAHS from exceeding set advertising limits without proper notification to the Ministry.

• New Rules for International Transactions:
  Amendments include detailed criteria on how international sales are calculated, especially those made via Turkish e-commerce platforms. Several integration conditions ensure that sales involving foreign buyers and sellers are appropriately reported and that only eligible transactions are counted towards international sales thresholds.

Licensing and Fee Adjustments

• Revised Licensing Procedures:
  The updated regulation introduces new thresholds based on net transaction volumes and the number of transactions processed over the past year. For ETAHS that exceed these thresholds, licensing fees will be calculated based on a percentage of their previous year’s net transaction volume, with special adjustments for international sales and other unique scenarios.

• Graduated Fee Reductions:
  For the years 2024 and 2025, special provisions offer fee reductions based on multiples of previously calculated figures. This is intended to support growth and development while maintaining strict regulatory oversight.

Why These Amendments Matter

These regulatory changes reflect the ongoing evolution of Turkey’s e-commerce landscape. By tightening requirements on information accuracy, ensuring that data portability is maintained, and regulating promotional practices, the Ministry of Trade is working to:

• Boost Consumer Confidence: With clearer and more reliable information about sellers.

• Foster Fair Competition: By ensuring that data and promotional advantages are not misused.

• Support Market Growth: Through transparent rules for both domestic and international sales, ultimately leading to a more dynamic online marketplace.

What’s Next for Stakeholders

Service providers (both ETAHS and ETHS) must review these amendments carefully. Providers need to update their systems to comply with new data verification, reporting, and information display requirements. Additionally, businesses should adjust their contractual terms to align with the new withdrawal and penalty clauses.

For consumers, these changes are expected to enhance the overall transparency and reliability of the online shopping experience, ensuring that both buyers and sellers operate on a level playing field.

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