Life in Turkey
13.02.2026
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Temu Returns to Türkiye Through Its Own Importer: What Buyers Need to Know

Temu Returns to Türkiye Through Its Own Importer: What Buyers Need to Know

Temu returns to Türkiye through its own importer

Chinese e‑commerce platform Temu has officially returned to the Turkish market by registering a local legal entity, WhaleCo, and obtaining official importer status. This move follows the implementation of new customs regulations that changed the rules for bringing goods into the country.

Since 6 February 2026, Türkiye has abolished the simplified procedure for goods valued under €30. As a result, the platform temporarily paused shipments to the country to adapt its business model to the updated legal requirements.

What changed in customs regulations

With the removal of the preferential regime, importing parcels now requires full customs processing. This change affected foreign marketplaces that sell directly to Turkish consumers.

Temu now handles customs clearance independently through its registered Turkish company, WhaleCo, ensuring full compliance with the new regulations.

ℹ️ WhaleCo is Temu’s officially registered importer in Türkiye – all parcels now clear customs under this entity.

What this means for buyers

  • Taxes are paid at the time of purchase on the platform.
  • The importer company completes all customs procedures.
  • Delivery is made directly to the buyer’s address without additional steps.
  • A minimum order threshold of 580 TL has been set; smaller orders are not processed.

⚠️ Important: Orders below 580 TL are not accepted. Ensure your cart meets the minimum threshold to avoid cancellation.

Temu’s new operating model in Türkiye

By registering its own importer, Temu can centrally manage customs and tax obligations. This reduces the risk of delays at customs and makes the purchasing process more transparent for consumers.

With these adjustments, Temu has officially resumed sales in Türkiye. Its return may increase competition in the Turkish e‑commerce market, particularly in the affordable international goods segment.

✅ Temu is fully operational again – orders are now processed under the new importer model.

▸ regulation snapshot
abolished: €30 simplified procedure · effective: 6 feb 2026 · min. order: 580 TL · importer: WhaleCo

⚠️ Orders under 580 TL will be automatically rejected – no exceptions.

Temu’s return through a local importer marks a significant shift in cross‑border e‑commerce compliance, setting a precedent for other international platforms operating in Türkiye.

* information based on official customs announcement and Temu’s Turkish entity registration – valid as of february 2026.

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