Importing from China to Turkey still holds serious opportunities as we enter 2026; however, it is no longer as easy as “pulling in bulk goods from AliExpress.” The small package e-commerce model has come under strict scrutiny, postal/courier routes for risky products like toys, shoes, and leather have nearly closed, and additional taxes in the automotive sector have rewritten the rules of the game.
In this guide, we will examine step by step the current regulations, risky sectors, tax burdens, and practical roadmaps for companies wishing to import from China to Turkey in 2026. At the end of the article, we will summarize why professional planning is critical in this complex landscape and how Corpenza makes a difference here.
The 2026 Picture of Turkey-China Trade: Large Volume, Large Imbalance
China continues to be one of Turkey’s largest import suppliers. As of 2024, Turkey’s trade deficit with China is approximately 44-45 billion USD, and this gap is described as a “structural” problem in official reports.
Turkey’s main import items from China:
- Electronics and electrical devices
- Textiles, ready-to-wear, home textiles
- Machinery and equipment
- Toys
- Shoes, bags, leather products
- Automotive and spare parts
This picture carries two important messages for companies wishing to import from China to Turkey in 2026:
- Categories like electronics, textiles, and machinery have high volume and competitiveness; supply and price advantages continue.
- In areas like toys, shoes, leather, and automotive, regulations are tightening, and scrutiny is increasing; firms entering with the wrong model face serious risks.
General Trend: The Small Package E-commerce and “Dropshipping” Model is Shrinking
Turkey has tightened its border against cheap e-commerce products originating from China, paralleling the EU and the US. The regulations of 2024-2025 will show their full effect in 2026:
- The limit for foreign rapid cargo/post shopping has been reduced from €150 to €30.
- For shipments in the range of €30-1500, full customs processing is now mandatory.
- The simplified regime used for low-value shipments has been significantly narrowed.
- The EU has decided to abolish the tax exemption for shipments under €150 starting from 2026, particularly targeting platforms like Temu, Shein, AliExpress.
What does this mean?
- The model of “I will do dropshipping, I will send small packages from China every day” will be subject to high taxes and intense scrutiny in 2026.
- Building your stock based on the logic of “gift – small package – fast shipping” is now both costly and risky.
- Importing through the company, via classic import regime + full customs clearance, is becoming a strategic necessity.
Tightening Regulations on Toys, Shoes, and Leather Products
Why were these products declared “high risk”?
The Ministry of Trade has included toys, shoes, and leather products in the high-risk consumer product groups. Laboratory tests reveal a striking picture:
- Out of 182 products examined, 81% failed to meet national security standards.
- Harmful chemicals like phthalates, lead, cadmium, and PAHs (polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons) were found at levels above the limits.
As a result, the following obligations have been imposed on these product groups:
- Import cannot be done through postal and rapid cargo with simplified declaration regime.
- For these products, full customs clearance and product safety inspection through TAREKS are mandatory.
What should those wishing to import toys, shoes, leather bags, etc. in 2026 do?
If you plan to bring products in these categories from China:
- Use the classic import regime instead of ETGB / simplified declaration.
- Make a TAREKS application for each batch; prepare CE marking, chemical compliance tests for toys, and relevant safety and chemical limit reports for shoes and leather products.
- From the manufacturer in China, be sure to request:
- Accredited laboratory test reports,
- MSDS (Material Safety Data Sheet),
- Declarations showing compliance with EU REACH and relevant Turkish legislation
.
- Non-compliant products may be subject to confiscation, return, or destruction; all costs will be borne by you.
Assessments regarding the measures taken by Turkey in this area have also been reflected in international industry news, particularly in the context of toy and shoe safety.
Taxes, Limits, and New Realities for E-commerce Related Imports
For those wishing to pull goods from China via postal and rapid cargo, the 2026 picture is summarized as follows:
- Shipments under €30: Although there seems to be a limited exemption:
- Restrictions imposed on product groups,
- Full inspections that can be conducted in case of suspicion of “commercial quantity”,
- Full bans or TAREKS obligations in high-risk categories,
make this area risky for commercial imports.
- Shipments between €30-1500:
- No more easy entry under the logic of “gift / personal use / low-value small package”.
- Full customs clearance and high rates of single and fixed taxes are coming into play.
- Different rates are applied for EU and non-EU origins; products originating from China generally face heavier burdens.
Why is it so strict?
- To protect local producers and employment in Turkey.
- To reduce consumer health risks caused by low-quality products from China.
- To take steps parallel to the EU’s tendency to abolish exemptions for low-value shipments within the framework of Customs Union compliance.
Therefore, the era of “stockpiling based on AliExpress logic” effectively ends in 2026. For every brand that will enter the Turkish market in significant volume, corporatization, official import, regular logistics, and tax planning become mandatory.
New Tax Regime for Cars and Automotive Products
In the autumn of 2025, Turkey made decisions that radically changed the motor vehicle import regime. The previous system’s additional 60% tax on vehicles from the US and China was removed; instead, “blanket” taxes applied equally to all countries were introduced.
- For conventional and hybrid vehicles: 25% additional tax (minimum $6000)
- For plug-in hybrid and fully electric vehicles: 30% additional tax (minimum $7000–8500)
This new structure has also been the subject of international tax bulletins. Key points include:
- Although the old additional 60% tax applied to the US and China has been removed, minimum consistent new rates keep the import costs quite high.
- Brands like BYD from China plan to establish factories in Turkey and produce domestically by the end of 2026; the aim is to shift from imported CBU to local production sales.
Implications for those wishing to import vehicles or automotive products from China in 2026:
- In CBU (complete vehicle) imports, customs duty + special consumption tax + VAT + new additional tax combine to create a very high total tax burden.
- For sub-products like spare parts and accessories, additional controls and possible additional taxes may arise based on origin, GTIP, and risky part classification.
- In this area, instead of the approach of “high price advantage, let’s import immediately”; tax simulation, cash flow planning, and medium-long term localization strategy are required.
Product Safety, TAREKS, and Chemical Regulations: The Era of “Only Price Matters” is Over
Turkey operates a product safety and market surveillance system similar to the EU. The process is quite technical, especially for consumer products containing chemicals (toys, shoes, leather, textiles):
- Through TAREKS (Risk-based Trade Control System), the importer applies for compliance in advance.
- The system anticipates batch-based inspections and laboratory tests for risky products.
- Limits close to EU levels are applied for chemicals like phthalates, lead, cadmium, and PAHs.
Therefore, when bringing goods from China, now:
- Choosing suppliers focused solely on “finding the cheapest” is no longer sufficient.
- From your manufacturer, you must request:
- Current laboratory test reports
- Technical file (product composition, usage instructions, labeling)
- If necessary, CE marking, declaration of conformity
.
- All these documents must be filed in a manner that can be presented at customs.
Otherwise, a non-compliance at customs may lead to seizure of goods, additional testing costs, delay penalties, and even destruction as consequences.
The Import Process from China to Turkey: Step by Step 2026 Roadmap
1. Product and Legislation Analysis
- Clarify the GTIP (HS Code) of your product.
- According to this code:
- Analyze the customs duty rate,
- If any, the burden of additional customs duty / special consumption tax / anti-dumping,
- Whether TAREKS, CE, health, veterinary, plant health special permits are required
.
2. Supplier Selection and Contract
- Besides price:
- Quality certificates,
- Laboratory reports,
- Production capacity and continuity,
- Previous export experience to Turkey and/or the EU
are criteria to consider.
- In the contract:
- Incoterms (FOB, CIF, DAP, DDP),
- Delay penalties,
- Conditions for refund or re-production in case of quality disputes
should be clear.
3. Determine the Shipping and Customs Model
- Instead of small batches and frequent shipments; fewer but higher volume shipments with container-based logistics are generally more advantageous.
- With postal and rapid cargo model:
- Do not engage in commercial imports for risky products like toys, shoes, leather, etc.
- Even for products like electronics and textiles, adopt a perspective of full customs clearance for shipments with commercial characteristics.
4. Customs Declaration and TAREKS Procedures
- You must have a company and tax number in Turkey (if not, depending on your market strategy, corporatization and EOR/payroll model may come into play in Turkey or another European country).
- Work with a licensed customs consultant.
- For risky products:
- Make your TAREKS application before shipment,
- Obtain all testing and compliance documents from the Chinese side.
5. Tax and Cost Planning
- In the total cost calculation:
- Cost of goods (FOB / EXW),
- Freight and insurance (CIF),
- Customs duty + additional taxes,
- VAT and any special consumption tax,
- Customs clearance, storage, internal transport, possible testing and sampling costs
should be included.
- Profitability projections made without considering these items, such as “I can bring it from China 50% cheaper,” will mostly be unrealistic in 2026.
Geopolitical Background: Middle Corridor, EU Pressure, and China’s Moves
Turkey is seeking cooperation with China in logistics, infrastructure, and green technology within the framework of the Middle Corridor strategy; on the other hand, it is trying to limit unfair competition from imported consumer goods and e-commerce.
- Steps taken by the EU against China-centered platforms (such as the abolition of the €150 exemption) are also affecting Turkey.
- Due to the Customs Union, Turkey is under pressure to comply with EU legislation in many areas.
- China can use export controls on critical raw materials and technologies as a geopolitical tool; this makes supply chains more unpredictable.
In this environment, the import strategy from China to Turkey should be structured not just through “cheap products” but through supply security, regulatory compliance, and tax optimization.
Corpenza Perspective: Thinking of Importing in Conjunction with Corporatization, Tax Optimization, and Mobility
When importing from China to Turkey in 2026, a one-dimensional “logistics-customs” perspective will not be sufficient for most companies. Especially for medium and large players, the following questions become critical:
- Is it more advantageous to corporatize in Turkey, the EU, or another jurisdiction?
- How should residency permits, work permits, payroll, and EOR solutions be designed for your supply, sales, and service teams?
- How can tax and customs optimization be achieved by utilizing company and warehouse structures in different countries?
- If you are planning for residency or citizenship through investment, how can you integrate this with your business operations?
At Corpenza, we work precisely at this intersection:
- We design company establishment, tax planning, and accounting structures in Europe and globally.
- When sending personnel abroad, we manage payroll and tax risks with payroll, EOR, and posted worker models.
- We position residency and citizenship programs based on investment according to the scale of your business and target markets.
When you treat importing from China to Turkey as part of your international growth strategy rather than a one-time operation; designing corporatization, tax, human resources, and mobility together creates a long-term competitive advantage.
Conclusion: What Should Be Focused on When Importing from China to Turkey in 2026?
- The dropshipping and small package model is no longer as profitable and risk-free as before.
- In areas like toys, shoes, leather, and automotive, scrutiny and tax burden have significantly increased.
- Product safety, TAREKS, chemical limits, and technical files have become central to the import strategy.
- Companies that cannot manage the dimensions of corporatization, customs, logistics, tax, and human resources integratively will open space for more agile and prepared competitors in the field.
For a solid 2026 strategy, obtaining professional support that evaluates technical and legal analyses, tax scenarios, and international structuring on a product basis is no longer a luxury but a strategic necessity.
Important Warning / Disclaimer
This article has been prepared for general informational purposes. No statement here should be interpreted as legal, tax, or financial advice. Regulations, customs rates, and practices may change over time; always check current official sources (Ministry of Trade, Customs Administration, relevant legislation) and seek one-on-one advice from professionals in the field before making decisions. Corpenza or the author accepts no responsibility for the consequences of transactions made based on this text.
