Temu Stops Selling International Products to Turkey
Temu Halts Overseas Sales to Turkey Following Antitrust Inspection
Turkish media reported on January 26, 2026, that the major Chinese online marketplace Temu has ceased selling products to Turkish customers from international warehouses. This move represents a significant shift in the country's e-commerce landscape.
Immediate Impact on Turkish Consumers
According to published information, users accessing the Temu platform in Turkey now encounter a drastically reduced catalog. They can only view and purchase products stored and shipped from local Turkish manufacturers and warehouses. The option to order items directly from overseas, particularly from China, has been removed.
Important: Orders from international warehouses are currently unavailable to Turkish customers. The company has not specified if this change is temporary or permanent.
The Trigger: Competition Authority Inspection
The policy change comes directly after an intervention by Turkey’s Competition Authority (Rekabet Kurumu). The regulator conducted a surprise inspection at Temu’s local Turkish office on January 21.
- Authority officials seized company computers and digital records.
- A comprehensive review of the platform's internal algorithms, pricing mechanisms, and business processes was undertaken.
Reports indicate that it was following the preliminary findings of this regulatory review that Temu's management made the decision to halt all direct sales from overseas to the Turkish market.
Temu's Meteoric Rise in Turkey
Since opening its official branch in Turkey last year, Temu experienced rapid growth, quickly becoming one of the most popular online shopping destinations. Its success was built on a familiar formula:
- Extremely low prices.
- A vast selection of goods, especially from Chinese sellers.
- Aggressive marketing and advertising campaigns.
Key Driver: Products shipped directly from China via international logistics channels were particularly in high demand among Turkish consumers.
Broader Regulatory Context
This situation unfolds against the backdrop of a major recent change in Turkey's customs policy. In January 2026, authorities removed the €30 duty-free threshold for purchases from abroad shipped via post or cargo.
Note: The elimination of this limit has sparked significant public and economic debate, affecting online retailers, foreign marketplaces, and local producers alike.
What Happens Next?
For now, the Temu experience for Turkish users is limited to domestically sourced products. Market experts and analysts agree that the future of Temu's operations in Turkey is uncertain and hinges on two key factors:
- The final conclusions and potential penalties from the ongoing Competition Authority inspection.
- New regulatory decisions or clarifications regarding cross-border e-commerce and customs enforcement.
Status: Awaiting regulatory outcome. Platform functionality altered. The coming weeks will be critical in determining whether this is a temporary setback or a permanent restructuring of Temu's business model in Turkey.
