Chinese e-commerce giant Temu shut down the overseas shipping option in Türkiye. Sales are continuing only from the Türkiye warehouse. Last week, a raid was conducted at Temu’s office in Istanbul, and digital data were seized.

The Ministry of Trade of Türkiye had taken the decision to “abolish the customs procedure for products under 30 euros.” The decision will enter into force on February 1, 2026. Following this decision, Chinese e-commerce giant Temu shut down the overseas shipping option in Türkiye.

On Temu, customers in Türkiye were able to order products directly from China. When entering the application, products listed under the “global” category can no longer be seen. Currently, sales are proceeding only from the Türkiye warehouse.

The company did not make a statement on whether this change is temporary or permanent. No timeline was shared regarding when cross-border sales may resume. This step eliminated Temu’s core appeal among price-focused consumers, which had stood out with access to low-priced imported products.

With the “30 Euro Law,” All Orders Will Be Subject to Customs Duties

With the entry into force of the regulation known in the Turkish public as the “30 euro law,” the practice of users paying low customs duties on low-value purchases was abolished. According to the regulation, which will be effective as of February 1, overseas orders under 30 euros will be subject to a stricter customs process, the costs of items such as customs brokerage fees and full taxation will increase, and the period of “buying cheap products from abroad” for individual users will come to an end.

The decision was taken following the detection of toxic and carcinogenic substances in tests conducted on imported products and complaints from domestic producers regarding unfair competition. On the other hand, it is stated that Temu will not completely withdraw from Türkiye; however, it will narrow its operation. This decision was taken following the new customs practice as well as the increasing legal pressures in recent periods.

Developments regarding Temu in Türkiye reflected increasing regulatory scrutiny of Chinese online marketplaces as Türkiye and the European Union tightened rules regarding low-value imports, product safety, and fair competition.

This regulation followed the exclusion of high-risk categories such as toys, shoes, and leather goods from simplified customs procedures in October. Similar concerns also came to the agenda in the European Union, and the EU decided to abolish the customs exemption for shipments under 150 euros in line with pressure from local retailers.

A Similar Practice Was Implemented in Europe as Well

European authorities carried out a similar practice in December at Temu’s European headquarters in Dublin to determine whether it received unfair state support from China. Although the scope of the inspection in Türkiye was not disclosed, it revealed increased oversight at a time when Temu was expanding its local presence.

Temu opened an office in Türkiye in June 2025 following regulations by the Ministry of Trade of Türkiye requiring foreign digital marketplaces to establish a legal entity in Türkiye and appoint a local representative. The company also enabled local sellers to list their products by including Turkish sellers on the platform.

As Temu Grows Rapidly, It Struggles With Regulations in Global Markets

Owned by China-based PDD Holdings, Temu began operations in 2022 and grew rapidly thanks to low-cost products shipped directly to consumers. The company’s growth model is based on offering lower prices compared to local retailers by benefiting from customs exemptions applied to low-value shipments.

As Chinese platforms such as Temu, Shein, and AliExpress increased their market shares, they began to be subject to stricter inspections in many countries regarding product safety, tax practices, and competitive balance. The steps taken in Türkiye overlap with a global reassessment of how cross-border e-commerce should be handled within existing regulatory frameworks.

For Turkish consumers, the suspension of cross-border sales changed shopping habits based on inexpensive imported products. For Temu, however, this decision raised questions regarding its long-term strategy in Türkiye; uncertainty remains as to whether the company will focus on local seller integration or return to its global model.

Raid on Temu’s Türkiye Office; Digital Data Seized!

A raid was conducted by the Competition Authority at the Türkiye office of Chinese online retail company Temu. During the search, computers and other technological devices were seized.

A Temu spokesperson said that Competition Authority officials carried out a raid at the company’s office. The spokesperson, stating “We will fully cooperate with the Turkish authorities,” said that laptop and desktop computers were seized.

The Türkiye operation came after a raid was conducted at Temu’s European Headquarters in Dublin due to European Union regulators’ concerns regarding possible unfair subsidies by the Chinese state.

Competition Authority: It Should Not Be Interpreted as a Direct Transition to an Investigation Phase

The Turkish Competition Authority made the following statement regarding the matter: “The current inspection reflected to the public is being conducted within our standard procedures, and the initiation of this process should not be interpreted as a direct transition to an investigation phase. In order to protect the confidentiality and impartiality of the inspection process and to prevent any loss of rights, detailed explanations cannot be provided at this stage. Up-to-date information regarding the course of the process will be shared with the public in the coming period in line with our principle of transparency.”

Temu Representatives Had Been Summoned to the Ministry

In May 2025, Temu’s representatives were summoned to the Ministry of Trade to be reminded of their legal obligations, and authorities took action for the opening of a representation office in Türkiye. At the meeting, the Ministry reminded Temu that it could not offer products to the market without having information on an economic operator established in Türkiye under the regulation. For the protection of consumers, unsafe and non-compliant products were required to be removed from the platform within 24 hours following the request of the competent authority.

Temu representatives later announced that they had taken action to open a representation office in Türkiye. Authorities stated that they would take the necessary steps to assume responsibility for products that would enter the Turkish market.

Robertet launched a new B2B e-commerce platform in the United States of America and Canada. The company thus expanded its digital sales channels aimed at professional customers.

The platform called “e-Robertet” enables qualified users to browse the natural ingredients portfolio online, request samples, and make purchases. This launch, which represented an important step in the company’s commercial strategy in North America, reflected its effort to modernize sales channels. Continuing to focus on natural, traceable raw materials, the company confirmed that e-Robertet was active in both markets and had started accepting registrations.

The e-Robertet platform was designed for professional users seeking direct and flexible access to Robertet’s ingredients portfolio. Users are able to view and purchase a wide range of products, including essential oils, absolutes, botanical extracts, CO₂ extracts, and specialty natural ingredients.

Robertet stated that the platform expanded digital access to products distributed through traditional and relationship-based sales models. With online browsing, sampling, and purchasing opportunities, the company aimed to accelerate procurement processes and maintain technical and commercial support.

Robertet Also Aimed to Reach Large Commercial Customers

Founded in 1850 in the city of Grasse in France, Robertet supplies natural raw materials for the fragrance, flavor, and health and beauty sectors. The company emphasized that the North American launch was an extension of its existing digital sales model and that it reached a broader customer base in the region.

The expansion in North America aimed to reach large commercial customers as well as independent formulators, laboratories, aromatherapists, and emerging brands. According to Robertet, the platform was customized for professionals who required smaller quantities, fast access, and transparent purchasing processes.

The company announced that e-Rober tet was designed specifically for the United States of America and Canadian markets and included features such as online ordering, transparent pricing, and real-time inventory visibility. In addition, the platform also supported smaller packaging options suitable for research and development activities and small-scale production.

Logistics, Support, and Supply Chain Integration

Robertet stated that all orders placed through e-Rober tet were supported by a North America-based shipping infrastructure and that this shortened delivery times and facilitated logistics processes. Dedicated support services were also provided to professional users to assist with product selection, ordering, and technical matters.

The company positioned the platform as an extension of its vertically integrated business model, which encompassed the cultivation, sourcing, extraction, and production of natural ingredients. While emphasizing the importance it placed on traceability and sustainability throughout the supply chain, Robertet described this approach as “seed to scent.”

By integrating e-commerce capabilities with the existing infrastructure, Rober tet aimed to balance digital convenience with quality control and transparency. The company stated that while the platform supported its responsible sourcing commitment, it also adapted to changing purchasing habits in the ingredients market.

eBay has introduced the SpeedPAK service in order to simplify international shipping processes for German sellers. This service offers shipments with customs clearance completed and ensures that import duties are paid in advance. Thus, international shipping processes become more practical, especially for German sellers engaged in cross-border sales.

The US-based popular online marketplace eBay entered a growth trajectory in Germany in 2024 following a decline experienced in 2022. The company increased its revenues by 1 million dollars, reaching a total of 972 million dollars. This positive growth came after various policy changes, such as improvements for commerce sellers and the introduction of the new Top-Service label. This label helps sellers stand out on the platform by providing shoppers with insights into timely shipping and high service levels.

The launch of eBay’s SpeedPAK service represents another important development, particularly for sellers engaged in cross-border sales. Developed through a collaboration with the logistics provider Orange Connex, SpeedPAK manages all customs documentation, thereby reducing the administrative burden for sellers. Considering the changes in customs regulations across Europe, this innovation is expected to be highly beneficial for many sellers.

“With SpeedPAK, We Strengthen Trust Between Buyers and Sellers”

Andreas Häntsch, Senior Director of Seller Engagement at eBay Germany, emphasized that the introduction of SpeedPAK in Germany is an important step toward facilitating German sellers’ access to global markets. Häntsch said, “We know that international shipping processes can be complex. With SpeedPAK, we not only offer competitive prices and simplified processes, but also strengthen trust between buyers and sellers.”

The new service also provides greater transparency for buyers. All costs, including shipping, customs duties, and taxes, are displayed at checkout, eliminating hidden fees. While this transparency benefits buyers, it also offers greater protection for sellers. “Item not received” complaints will no longer be included in service metrics, defects related to undelivered items will be removed. In addition, late shipments will not be counted as “late delivery,” and negative or neutral feedback related to shipping will be automatically removed.

The Service Is Now Available to Sellers

German sellers can select SpeedPAK as a shipping option when listing their products on eBay and can purchase the relevant shipping labels through the platform. Sellers who sign up by the end of March can benefit from a 10 percent discount on SpeedPAK labels. With SpeedPAK, eBay aims to make cross-border e-commerce more efficient, providing a faster and easier shipping process for sellers while making the buyer experience more transparent and reliable.

eBay Launches the Livestream Shopping Era in Germany

The Chinese e-commerce platform Temu has become a significant competitor in global online shopping, now matching Amazon in cross-border e-commerce sales. According to the 2025 Cross-Border E-Commerce Shopper Survey by the International Post Corporation (IPC), nearly a quarter (24%) of consumers made their most recent purchase from Temu, placing it on equal footing with Amazon.

The IPC survey covered 30,970 shoppers across 37 different countries. The survey highlights the rapid growth of Temu, which was launched in the United States in September 2022. In just three years, Temu’s share of cross-border e-commerce sales skyrocketed from 1% to 24%. In comparison, Amazon’s share remained steady at 24%, with both platforms together accounting for nearly half of all cross-border sales globally.

Temu’s rapid rise, according to the survey data from September 2025, is remarkable considering the platform didn’t exist before 2021. This growth is supported by Temu’s aggressive international expansion, including the opening of its European headquarters in Dublin in 2023.

Mixed Trends in Shein and AliExpress in Cross-Border E-Commerce

While Temu’s growth has been rapid, other platforms have shown less noticeable changes. Shein, the third-largest player in cross-border sales, maintained a 9% share. AliExpress saw a decline from 9% to 8%. eBay holds a 5% market share, while Zalando, the first European-based platform, holds 3%, ranking fifth.

However, signs of slowing growth have appeared in Temu’s European expansion. In the first half of last year, the number of users increased by only 12.5%, reaching 115.7 million. To overcome this, Temu plans to accelerate growth by shipping products primarily from local warehouses and partnering with European sellers.

China’s Dominance in Global E-Commerce

The IPC report also emphasizes China’s dominance in cross-border shopping. In 26 out of 30 European countries, China is the most popular destination for cross-border shopping. Only Luxembourg and Austria prefer Germany over China for cross-border shopping, while Ireland and Iceland most frequently shop across borders in the United Kingdom. With its rapid growth and expansion into international markets, Temu continues to challenge established competitors like Amazon, gaining a significant share in the cross-border e-commerce space.

Temu Expands Operations in the UAE

Tajer officially put its e-commerce platform into use in Qatar, introducing a new digital shopping destination aimed at bringing curation-focused regional and international brands together with consumers.

While positioning itself as a trust-based alternative in an increasingly crowded e-commerce ecosystem, Tajer aims to simplify product discovery and support both local and global brands. The platform was introduced as “a shopping platform that places curation-focused discovery at its center instead of mass product variety.” Company officials stated that the platform was designed to offer selected products supported by clear brand stories and reliable delivery in an environment where product abundance has turned into complexity for consumers.

Tajer brought together Qatari brands as well as leading companies from the MENA region and selected international brands entering the region. As of the launch, consumers are able to purchase products belonging to brands from Qatar, Egypt, Turkey, Jordan, and the United Arab Emirates. The company announced that new regional and global markets, including Brazil, will also be gradually added to the platform.

According to the company, every product featured on Tajer Shops was deliberately selected by considering quality, authenticity, and relevance criteria, and while variety was ensured, no compromise was made on standards.

Tajer Is Growing in MENA

One of the core elements of Tajer’s strategy has been to support MENA-based and local brands by providing them with a space through which they can reach new audiences. The company stated that this approach aims to bring together regional creativity and global quality standards within the same ecosystem.

Wissam Abuorf, Regional Head of Operations at Tajer, said that the platform was launched in response to changing consumer expectations. Stating that consumers now place greater importance on trust and meaningful curation in the face of excessive choice, Abuorf said that Tajer aims to provide access to brands that reflect customers’ lifestyles, tastes, and values. He also emphasized that the platform aims to support both emerging talents and well-established businesses.

Abuorf stated that curation will continue to remain a priority during the expansion process, noting that Tajer focuses on offering what truly matters to consumers rather than “selling everything.”

Tajer Offered More Than 6,000 Products on the Platform

As of the launch, Tajer offered more than 6,000 products to customers on the platform. The company reported that new regional and global business partners continue to join the platform regularly and that the product range is supported by long-term brand collaborations. On the platform, a wide range of categories is available, including women’s, men’s, and children’s fashion, seasonal collections such as winterwear and loungewear, home and lifestyle products, accessories, and everyday necessities. Tajer stated that it designed its digital experience to make discovery easy, reliable, and rewarding for modern consumers.

On the logistics side, Ta jer announced that it offers delivery to more than 90 countries. This structure enables local and regional brands to expand into global markets, while also allowing consumers in Qatar to shop cross-border through a single platform.

With its official launch, Tajer entered Qatar’s growing e-commerce sector with a model focused on curation, regional brand support, and global access. Company officials stated that the platform reflects Qatar’s local identity while also adopting an approach open to international trade, and that it will continue to expand its partnerships and product variety.