Turkish customs authorities have announced a significant regulatory change that will impact all incoming shipments to Turkey, including low-value parcels.
📅 Effective date: 6 February 2026
While no operational or system changes are required from shippers or carriers, this change will have a direct impact on Turkish end customers, particularly at the point of delivery.
🔎 Previous Customs Practice
Shipments below EUR 30 (incl. postage):
Duties are automatically calculated by customs and collected at delivery.
No action required from the consignee under simplified procedures.
Shipments above EUR 30 (incl. postage):
Parcels are held at customs until the consignee submits an application and a formal customs declaration is lodged.
Declarations must be submitted by a licensed customs broker.
⚠️ What Changed on 6 February 2026
The EUR 30 de minimis threshold will be abolished entirely.
Every shipment, regardless of value, will require customs clearance via a licensed customs broker.
📦 Expected Impact on End Customers
Brokerage fees may exceed the value of low-value goods
Delivery delays and higher refusal rates are expected initially, until local processes stabilise
🤝 What This Means for Shippers
✅ No technical or operational changes to shipping flows
⚠️ Potential increase in returns, delays, and customer complaints
📢 Strongly recommended to proactively inform Turkish customers about the new requirements and possible brokerage charges
We are currently awaiting further clarification from Turkish customs authorities regarding implementation details. However, with the regulation now effective, we wanted to share this now to support your planning and customer communications.
If Turkey is a key destination in your cross-border strategy, now is the time to prepare.
📩 For guidance, impact assessments, or customer messaging support, speak to the UKP Worldwide team.