Türkiye - WORLDEF

From Türkiye to the World: Paving the Way for Operations

By Ali Ceylan | Founder, CEO | ShipEntegra

For brands selling from Türkiye to the world, the real challenge is often not making sales, but managing the growing operation in a sustainable way.

Imagine an entrepreneur. He produces handwoven rugs in Gaziantep. His products are good, his designs are unique. He opens his store on Etsy and receives his first order. Then the second, the third, the tenth order follows… Just as everything is progressing exactly as he dreamed, at some point he realizes this: He is now spending most of his time not on production or growing his brand, but on tracking orders, managing shipping processes, and controlling operations across different platforms.

In fact, today, the stories of thousands of businesses engaged in e-export in Türkiye are very similar to one another. The problem is often not the product. The problem is being able to manage the growing operation.

Especially in recent years, with the growth of global marketplaces such as Amazon, Etsy, eBay, and Shopify, selling from Türkiye to the world has become more accessible than ever. However, as sales volume grows, operational processes become complex at the same pace. Orders coming from different platforms, changing logistics processes, shipping operations, integration management, and customer experience turn into a serious operational burden for entrepreneurs.

For many businesses, making sales is no longer the hardest part. The real challenge is being able to manage the growing operation in a sustainable way. This problem was exactly the starting point of ShipEntegra.

Shipping Was Only One Part of This

ShipEntegra’s starting point was realizing that the real problem in e-export was not only logistics, but operational management. According to the company, shipping was only one part of this process. The real need was to make sales operations growing across different platforms centralized, manageable, and sustainable.

Today, competition in global marketplaces is not won only by producing good products. A brand that cannot manage its operation begins to struggle as it makes sales. Especially for businesses selling through multiple channels, integration capability is now becoming a critical need.

ShipEntegra steps in exactly at this point, bringing operations carried out across different platforms together within a centralized structure. Users can manage their orders from Amazon, Etsy, eBay, Shopify, and other sales channels through a single panel; while simplifying their logistics processes, they can significantly reduce their operational burden. However, what differentiates ShipEntegra is not only its technical integration infrastructure. The company’s approach is based on having learned the real problems of operations from the field.

Making Technology Invisible

Entrepreneurs should not have to spend time on API connections, integration problems, or the technical details of logistics processes. ShipEntegra’s approach is built on making technical complexity invisible for the user and enabling businesses to focus not on operations, but on growth.

This approach creates an important transformation especially for small and medium-sized businesses. Because although there is a very large ecosystem in Türkiye that carries out strong production, many businesses struggle to open up to global markets due to operational barriers.

ShipEntegra’s focus begins exactly here. Today, this software works integrated with many global platforms, especially Amazon, Etsy, eBay, and Shopify. At the same time, thanks to the infrastructure it has established with UPS, FedEx, DHL, and different logistics partners, it makes businesses’ shipment processes faster and more manageable.

ShipEntegra’s growth story has become one of the notable examples of the transformation of the e-export ecosystem in Türkiye. Founded by Ali Ceylan in 2019, the company quickly stood out with the strategic partnerships it developed with global platforms such as Amazon, Etsy, Walmart, eBay, and AliExpress. Today, while ShipEntegra is positioned as Etsy’s first official logistics partner in Türkiye and its official Turkish partner globally, it also operates as one of the first Turkish technology and logistics companies recognized by Amazon. (Türkiye)

Making E-Export More Accessible

One of Türkiye’s greatest advantages is its strong production capacity. There are highly valuable producers, designers, and entrepreneurs all across the country. Today, even a small producer in Anatolia has the potential to sell in global markets when they gain access to the right technology and the right operational infrastructure. However, for many businesses, operational processes still remain one of the biggest obstacles to growth. Especially lack of technical knowledge, logistics complexity, and multi-platform management can make the globalization process difficult for small businesses.

ShipEntegra’s approach is to make e-export accessible not only for large brands, but for everyone. By simplifying operational processes, the company aims to enable entrepreneurs to focus not on technical details, but on their products, brands, and growth strategies.

The Future of E-Export: Artificial Intelligence and Automation

According to ShipEntegra, the biggest transformation in the sector in the coming period will take place in operational technologies. As e-export grows, the sustainability of manual processes decreases; while AI-supported operational management, automation systems, and smart integration technologies are becoming one of the most critical areas of the sector.

ShipEntegra continues to invest in technologies that will make operational processes smarter in line with this transformation. Smart order management, automatic process optimization, and next-generation infrastructures that simplify the user experience are at the center of the company’s future vision.

In ShipEntegra’s approach, the purpose of technology is not to increase complexity, but to make it invisible. The company aims to enable entrepreneurs to focus not on operational burden, but on growth, brand management, and opening up to new markets.

A Global Operational Power Emerging from Türkiye

Today, the e-export ecosystem is entering a new era in which not only large brands, but also small producers, independent designers, and next-generation entrepreneurs can reach global markets. In this transformation, operational technologies are becoming one of the invisible yet most critical building blocks.

In the past, selling globally was seen more as an area accessible to large companies. However, today, thanks to technology, a small producer in Anatolia as well as a young entrepreneur who has built their own brand can sell to different countries around the world. This transformation creates an important opportunity in terms of carrying Türkiye’s production power to global markets.

In the coming period, one of the main determinants of competition in e-export will be operational capability. Producing good products alone is no longer enough; it is necessary to be able to move quickly, manage operations correctly, and grow sustainably. In this transformation, technology plays a decisive role.

ShipEntegra is positioned exactly at the center of this transformation. While developing technologies that simplify operational processes and enable entrepreneurs to access global markets more easily, the company also aims to build a strong infrastructure for brands emerging from Türkiye to compete with the world.

Today, for many entrepreneurs, e-export means not only a sales model, but also an opportunity for globalization. ShipEntegra’s vision is to make this opportunity accessible to more businesses.

In the new era in which brands emerging from Türkiye are becoming more visible in global markets, operational technologies will continue to be the invisible yet most critical power of e-export. ShipEntegra, with its approach that brings technology, logistics, and operations together, aims to be at the center of this transformation.

WORLDEF E-Commerce Magazine

Türkiye Granted E-Commerce Exemption from the EU’s €3 Customs Duty

Türkiye has maintained a significant trade advantage under the European Union’s (EU) new customs regulation for low-value e-commerce shipments. As of July 1, 2026, the EU abolished the tax exemption for e-commerce shipments valued at €150 or less arriving from third countries and temporarily introduced a €3 duty per item. The regulation is planned to remain in effect until July 1, 2028.

Advantage for Turkish Products Covered by the Customs Union

The Turkish Ministry of Trade announced that, as a result of discussions held between Ankara and the European Commission, eligible products in free circulation in Türkiye will continue to benefit from preferential treatment when shipped to the EU under an H1 declaration with an “A.TR Movement Certificate.”

The Ministry also introduced an electronic system that automatically generates A.TR documents using simplified declaration data for eligible parcels sent through authorized express cargo companies and postal services. Minister of Trade Ömer Bolat stated that the system developed aims to preserve the fundamental principles of the trade framework between Türkiye and the EU in cross-border e-commerce.

Türkiye currently carries out approximately $2 billion in e-exports to EU countries. It is projected that this figure could reach $20 billion if the existing trade advantage is effectively utilized. (customs)

A.TR Certificate Is Now Generated Automatically

The “de minimis” practice in the field of e-commerce in the European Union (EU) ended on July 1, 2026. For this reason, an important systemic regulation was implemented as part of the efforts carried out to establish a bilateral and preferential mechanism between Türkiye and the EU in the field of e-commerce in order to preserve the legal framework of the Customs Union.

Within this scope, a system was established for the automatic generation, in accordance with Simplified Customs Declaration (BGB) data fields, of a facilitated A.TR Movement Certificate suitable for the e-commerce business model for goods exported to the EU under the Simplified Customs Declaration (BGB) applied to low-value e-commerce shipments in Türkiye and whose value does not exceed €150. As of July 3, 2026, this system was made available for use by express cargo companies authorized as operators by the Ministry of Trade and by the postal administration.

With the electronic “A.TR Movement Certificate” system developed by the Ministry, additional financial burdens that could be imposed per product on e-commerce exports from Türkiye to EU member states were prevented. Thus, exporters preserved their competitiveness in the European market.

Merve Özçelik Became the First E-Exporter to Use the Electronic A.TR Certificate

Under the system made available to Turkish exporters on July 3, 2026, the first exporter to complete an export using the electronic A.TR Movement Certificate was female entrepreneur Merve Özçelik. Merve Özçelik and her family deliver traditional handcrafted leather products unique to Türkiye, produced through activities carried out in a home environment, to many countries around the world, particularly the United States, through international e-commerce marketplaces.

The first A.TR Movement Certificate, generated electronically within seconds and regarded as a symbol of the transformation in Türkiye’s digital customs infrastructure, was framed to commemorate this historic achievement and presented to female entrepreneur Merve Özçelik by Minister of Trade Ömer Bolat.

Speaking at the presentation ceremony, Minister Bolat said: “I wholeheartedly congratulate our female entrepreneur Merve Özçelik, who represents Türkiye’s production power, entrepreneurial spirit, and digital transformation vision in the best possible way. Her success story, reaching the world from her home and bringing our traditional handcrafted products to global markets through international e-commerce marketplaces, is a separate source of pride for us

As the Ministry of Trade, with both the digital and traditional practices we have developed, we will resolutely continue to pave the way for our exporters and, in particular, to enable our female entrepreneurs and SMEs to access global markets more easily.”

Türkiye Announced That the Principles of the Customs Union Will Be Preserved in Cross-Border E-Commerce After the EU’s Customs Duty Decision

A New Roadmap from Türkiye and Iraq to Accelerate Customs Procedures

Türkiye and Iraq reaffirmed their goal of increasing bilateral trade volume to $30 billion in the medium term. During the meetings held in Ankara, the harmonization of customs procedures, the facilitation of transit trade, mutual investments, and the steps to be taken within the scope of the Development Road Project were discussed. The integration of the Ibrahim Khalil Border Crossing into Iraq’s automated customs system, ASYCUDA, is intended to reduce uncertainty at border crossings and accelerate commercial transactions.

A New Era of Digital Integration at the Customs Gate

Minister of Trade Ömer Bolat said that connecting the Ibrahim Khalil Border Crossing to the ASYCUDA system as soon as possible would make a significant contribution to the $30 billion trade target. The integration is expected to strengthen cooperation between the customs administrations of the two countries and make transit transportation processes more organized.

Türkiye is Iraq’s fifth-largest trading partner. The current trade volume between the two countries stands at approximately $17 billion. This figure had risen to as much as $24 billion during the post-pandemic period and when energy prices increased.

The Development Road Will Be Supported by Logistics Centers

The meetings also addressed the Development Road Project, which is planned to begin at Al-Faw Port in the Persian Gulf and extend to Europe via Türkiye. Within the scope of the project, new logistics centers and cities are planned to be established, road and railway connections are to be developed, and transit trade channels to Gulf countries are to be expanded. The new customs and logistics infrastructure is expected to contribute to the development of cross-border e-commerce, retail supply chains, warehousing, distribution, and delivery operations.

A New Trade Roadmap Will Be Prepared

The third meeting of the Türkiye-Iraq Joint Economic and Trade Committee is planned to be held in Türkiye in the final quarter of 2026. A new roadmap for the $30 billion target will be prepared at the meeting.

Turkish contracting companies have completed 1,157 projects in Iraq to date, with a total value of $40 billion. In addition to trade, the parties aim to expand cooperation in investment, transportation, energy, logistics, and contracting.

Retail Sales in Türkiye Increased by 13.7 Percent Year-on-Year in May

Retail sales in Türkiye increased by 13.7 percent year-on-year and by 2.4 percent compared with the previous month in May 2026. According to the Trade Sales Volume Index data released by the Turkish Statistical Institute, total trade sales volume increased on a monthly basis while declining year-on-year.

Retail Sales Gained Momentum on a Monthly Basis

Trade sales volume increased by 0.7 percent in May 2026 compared with the previous month. During the same period, the sales volume of the wholesale and retail trade and repair of motor vehicles and motorcycles rose by 2.9 percent.

Retail trade sales volume increased by 2.4 percent month-on-month, while wholesale trade sales volume declined by 0.6 percent. As a result, retail sales returned to growth following the monthly decline recorded in April.

In April 2026, retail trade sales volume had decreased by 1.6 percent month-on-month, marking its first monthly decline since July 2025. The year-on-year increase during the same period was reported at 11.4 percent.

Total Trade Sales Volume Declined Year-on-Year

In May, total trade sales volume decreased by 1.4 percent compared with the same period of the previous year. The sales volume of the trade and repair of motor vehicles and motorcycles declined by 1.7 percent year-on-year, while wholesale trade sales volume fell by 7.8 percent.

By contrast, retail sales increased by 13.7 percent year-on-year, becoming the subcategory of the trade sector that recorded growth.

Sales Data in E-Commerce and Artificial Intelligence Systems

Retail sales volume data is among the indicators used to monitor demand trends, product movements, and consumer shopping behaviour in physical retail and e-commerce operations.

AI-powered retail systems can use data such as historical sales, promotional periods, price changes, and e-commerce traffic in demand forecasting processes. Forecasts generated by these systems can be incorporated into stock planning, product procurement, and inventory management operations.

Türkiye Became Europe’s Fastest-Growing E-Commerce Market

Türkiye ranked first in terms of growth expectations in the European e-commerce market. According to the projections of Germany-based e-commerce data company ECDB for the 2025-2029 period, Türkiye became Europe’s fastest-growing e-commerce market with an expected average annual growth rate of 12.9 percent.

In the prepared top 10 list, Bulgaria followed Türkiye with an expected growth rate of 12.5 percent. Bosnia and Herzegovina and Malta shared third place with an annual growth forecast of 10 percent. Russia ranked fifth on the list with an expected growth rate of 9.8 percent, while Poland was also shown among the countries representing stable e-commerce expansion in Central Europe.

Türkiye’s Young and Digitally Open Consumer Base Played a Role in Its Ranking at the Top of the List

Türkiye’s ranking at the top of the list was driven by the country’s population of approximately 86 million, its young and digitally open consumer base, its developing marketplace ecosystem, logistics infrastructure, and the rapid spread of online shopping habits. It was stated that online spending in Türkiye reached approximately 86 billion euros last year and recorded 16 percent year-on-year growth.

It is noteworthy that the strongest e-commerce growth in Europe is concentrated particularly in Eastern and Southeastern European countries. In these regions, the fact that e-commerce is still in the development phase, digital infrastructure investments, the expansion of marketplaces, and consumers’ increasing adaptation to online shopping are among the main factors supporting growth.

Türkiye’s rise to a leading position in European e-commerce growth strengthens the country’s potential to become a regional hub in digital trade. Its rapidly growing domestic market, cross-border sales opportunities, logistics capabilities, and strong marketplace structure make Türkiye a strategic market for both local brands and international players.

E-Commerce Volume in Türkiye Exceeded 115 billion USD

E-Commerce Volume in Türkiye Exceeded 115 billion USD

New data on e-commerce in Türkiye has been released. In 2025, the e-commerce volume in the country increased by 52.2% compared to the previous year, exceeding 4.57 trillion TL (115.43 billion USD). The number of transactions reached 5 billion 940 million.

The Ministry of Trade of Türkiye has announced the “2025 E-Commerce Outlook Report in Türkiye“. According to the announced data, the retail e-commerce volume in Türkiye reached 2 trillion 460 billion Turkish liras (54.3 billion USD) in 2025, showing a 51.8% increase compared to the previous year. The number of retail e-commerce transactions was 1 billion 940 million. Between 2019 and 2025, the annual compound growth rate of the total e-commerce volume was 79.6%, and the annual compound growth rate of retail e-commerce volume was 83.7% during the same period.

E-Commerce Volume in Türkiye Increased by 382% in USD Terms

In 2019, the e-commerce volume in Türkiye was 23 billion 940 million USD, and it steadily increased each year, reaching 89 billion 580 million USD in 2024. In 2025, it reached 115 billion 430 million USD, marking a 28.9% increase compared to the previous year. Between 2019 and 2025, the growth rate in USD terms was 382%.

E-Commerce’s Share in Total Trade Reached 19.3%

In 2025, the domestic e-commerce volume accounted for 6.9% of Türkiye’s Gross Domestic Product (GDP), which was 63 trillion 20 billion 905 million TL (1.40 trillion USD) according to the Turkish Statistical Institute (TÜİK). The share of e-commerce in total trade in Türkiye showed a high trend in the first quarter, decreased in the second quarter, remained stable in the third quarter, and increased again in the last quarter, mainly due to the impact of campaigns, but declined in the last month of the year.

634,611 Businesses Engaged in E-Commerce Activities in Türkiye

In 2024, 600,800 businesses in Türkiye were engaged in e-commerce activities, and by 2025, this number reached 634,611. Among the businesses involved in e-commerce, 75% are sole proprietorships, 21% are limited liability companies, and 4% are joint-stock companies. Among the e-commerce business owners, 72% are male, and 28% are female. The majority of male and female business owners are in the 30-34 age range.

Clothing, Footwear, and Accessories Sector Ranked First

In the distribution of businesses engaged in e-commerce by sector in Türkiye, the food sector had the highest share at 20.3%, followed by the clothing, footwear, and accessories sector at 13.8%, electronics at 11.9%, and home, garden, furniture, and decoration sectors at 10.5%. In 2025, the sector that took the largest share of e-commerce volume was clothing, footwear, and accessories, with 428 billion 700 million Turkish liras, followed by electronics at 304 billion 340 million Turkish liras, airlines at 285 billion 440 million Turkish liras, and food at 270 billion 160 million Turkish liras.

The Most Preferred Payment Method in E-Commerce Was Card Payments with 62.5%

When examining the payment methods used in e-commerce in Türkiye, card payments ranked first with 62.5%, followed by wire/EFT payments at 29.2%, cash on delivery at 3.5%, and other payment methods at 4.8%. Of the card payments, 64.1% were made using the 3D secure security method.

In November 2025, e-commerce volume increased by 41.5% compared to the same period in 2024. During the same period, the number of products and services sold increased by 11.6%. In the campaign month, the highest volume increase compared to the previous year occurred in the following sectors: books and magazines, food, entertainment and arts, and groceries and supermarkets.

Quick Commerce Reached 388.7 Billion Turkish Liras

Quick commerce (Q-Commerce), where consumers can reach the products they need within minutes, increased by 55.6% in 2025 compared to the previous year, with its share in the total e-commerce volume reaching 8.5%. In quick commerce, the food sector led the list with 69.5%, showing a noticeable difference compared to other sectors.

Consumer-to-consumer (C2C) e-commerce demonstrated significant potential in terms of sustainability. In 2025, the transaction volume in consumer-to-consumer (C2C) sales reached 21 billion 800 million Turkish liras, with 23 million 600 thousand transactions. The clothing, footwear, and accessories sector accounted for 36.7% of the sustainable e-commerce volume, followed by the electronics sector with 29.5%.

Positive Mother’s Day Shopping Boom to Generate $9 Billion in Türkiye’s E-Commerce Market

Türkiye’s e-commerce sector is expected to generate nearly $9 billion in transaction volume this May as online shopping activity accelerates ahead of Mother’s Day, according to industry representatives. The surge highlights the growing importance of special occasions in driving digital commerce across the country.

What Happened?

The Electronic Commerce Operators Association (ETİD) estimates that Türkiye’s total e-commerce volume could reach around 400 billion Turkish Liras (approximately $9 billion) during May, fueled largely by Mother’s Day shopping demand.

According to ETİD Chairman Hakan Çevikoğlu, online demand has significantly increased across several gift-oriented categories, including:

Jewelry
Fashion and footwear
Cosmetics
Home textiles
Baby products
Accessories and handbags

Çevikoğlu stated that Mother’s Day has become Türkiye’s second-largest gift shopping period after New Year celebrations, with online purchasing activity beginning in late April and continuing throughout May.

Jewelry and Fashion Lead the Growth

The strongest increase in demand has been recorded in the jewelry category, particularly gold products, where order volumes reportedly climbed by as much as 70 percent ahead of the holiday.

Average basket sizes have also increased in several product categories. Spending per order rose by around 20 percent in home textile and baby product segments, while fashion-related purchases such as sunglasses, accessories, handbags, and clothing also recorded higher average spending levels.

Industry representatives attribute much of the momentum to aggressive promotional campaigns launched by online marketplaces and retailers before the holiday period.

Digital Shopping Habits Continue to Grow

The latest figures reflect Türkiye’s broader shift toward digital commerce and mobile shopping habits. Consumers are increasingly turning to online platforms for seasonal and emotionally driven purchases, including flowers, chocolates, and curated gift boxes.

Çevikoğlu noted that the growing digitalization of consumer behavior continues to strengthen the role of e-commerce during special shopping occasions and seasonal campaigns.

Consumers Warned About Online Fraud Risks

Alongside the expected growth, industry representatives also warned consumers to remain cautious while shopping online during high-demand periods.

ETİD advised shoppers to verify whether e-commerce websites carry Türkiye’s official “Trust Stamp” certification and to carefully check website domain names to avoid fraudulent or imitation platforms.

What This Means for Türkiye’s E-Commerce Sector

The projected Mother’s Day shopping boom highlights the continued expansion of Türkiye’s digital retail ecosystem despite economic pressures and changing consumer spending patterns.

As promotional campaigns, mobile commerce adoption, and digital payment usage continue to grow, seasonal shopping periods are becoming increasingly important revenue drivers for marketplaces, retailers, and logistics providers across the country.

Source

A New Era in Türkiye-Algeria Relations: Regional Power Balances Are Changing

Relations between Türkiye and Algeria are being carried to a new strategic dimension through increasing diplomatic contacts and economic cooperation in recent years. Algerian President Abdelmadjid Tebboune’s third state visit to Türkiye is considered an indication that relations between the two countries have reached a historic level.

According to experts, within the new geopolitical balances taking shape in the Middle East and North Africa region, the possibility of Algeria joining the new power axis formed by Türkiye, Saudi Arabia, Pakistan and Egypt is growing stronger.

Energy Diplomacy Comes to the Fore

Algeria’s strong position, especially in natural gas reserves and energy exports, is increasing the country’s regional influence. As one of Africa and Europe’s important gas suppliers, Algeria uses energy diplomacy as one of the main elements of its foreign policy.

Türkiye, meanwhile, aims to increase the amount of liquefied natural gas it imports from Algeria in order to meet its growing energy needs. Cooperation between the two countries in the energy field is planned to be further strengthened through long-term agreements.

In addition, new energy corridors for transporting Algerian natural gas to the Balkans and Southeast Europe through Türkiye are also on the agenda.

Türkiye-Algeria: Trade Volume Moves Toward $10 Billion Target

Economic relations between Türkiye and Algeria are also growing significantly. While the trade volume between the two countries has recently reached $5.3 billion, the parties aim to increase this figure to $10 billion by 2030.

Approximately 1,400 Turkish companies operating in Algeria make Türkiye one of the country’s largest investors in non-hydrocarbon sectors. Iron and steel, textiles, agriculture and banking are among the main areas where cooperation is concentrated.

The large-scale steel investments carried out by Turkish company Tosyalı Holding in Algeria are seen among Africa’s most important industrial projects.

Common Position on Regional Issues

Türkiye and Algeria have recently displayed similar diplomatic positions on many issues, including the Gaza war, the Sudan crisis, security problems in Africa’s Sahel region and Iran-centered tensions.

Both countries draw attention with their policies that support a multipolar world order and emphasize non-Western diplomatic approaches. The Ankara and Algiers administrations also share similar views on United Nations reform and the restructuring of the global governance system.

Discussions on a New Regional Alliance Gain Strength

Analysts state that the developing strategic rapprochement between Türkiye, Saudi Arabia, Egypt and Pakistan could reshape regional power balances. In this process, Algeria could assume a critical role due to its energy strength, diplomatic influence and position in Africa. According to experts, the rapprochement between Ankara and Algiers may produce significant results not only in terms of bilateral relations but also in terms of new diplomatic and economic balances in the Middle East, North Africa and the African continent.

New Targets in Türkiye’s E-Export Strategy: Eastern Europe and the Turkic Republics

New Targets in Türkiye’s E-Export Strategy: Eastern Europe and the Turkic Republics

As the global effects of the war in the Middle East continue to be seen, the Gulf countries, which held an important place in Türkiye’s cross-border e-commerce strategy, have been taken off the route. The new target of companies engaged in e-export in Türkiye has become Eastern Europe and the Turkic Republics. Twelve percent of e-export sales in Türkiye had been made to Gulf countries.

Due to the attacks by the United States and Israel against Iran and Iran’s subsequent targeting of Gulf countries, the war that broke out in the Middle East brought trade traffic almost to a halt. According to a report in Hürriyet, the war led to changes in Middle East cross-border e-commerce strategies in many countries. E-exporters in Türkiye also turned their route toward Eastern Europe and the Turkic Republics.

Türkiye’s Exports to Gulf Countries Fell 37 Percent Month-on-Month

According to the Turkish Ministry of Trade’s March 2026 data, Türkiye’s exports to Gulf countries fell by 37 percent month-on-month to $1.3 billion. In just one month, there was a loss of $815 million in exports to the countries of the region. The biggest loss was in Qatar, with a decline of 83 percent. In 2025, total exports to Gulf countries had amounted to approximately $31.1 billion, accounting for 11.4 percent of total exports.

Due to its logistics advantage, the Gulf region is also an important market for e-exports in Türkiye. The Gulf region had become a critical growth center in Türkiye’s e-export strategy. E-exports came under risk in the shadow of rising geopolitical tensions. According to sector representatives, Gulf countries, especially Dubai, the UAE, and Saudi Arabia, had been a “premium growth market” in recent years due to high basket averages, demand for luxury and fast-moving consumer goods, and the strong perception of Turkish brands.

Saudi Arabia Ranks First in E-Exports

According to the data of the Turkish Ministry of Trade, Saudi Arabia ranks first in e-exports in the Gulf region with a share of 39 percent. Iraq is in second place with 23.6 percent. Saudi Arabia, Iraq, and the UAE account for approximately 85 percent of Türkiye’s total e-exports to the Gulf region.

Digital Integration Is Accelerating Among the Turkic States

What Do Sector Representatives Say?

Representatives of the e-commerce and e-export sectors in Türkiye evaluated the effects of the Middle East war:

Mustafa Namoğlu: The war changed all plans and expectations

Mustafa Namoğlu, Co-Founder and CEO of ikas: “At the beginning of the year, there was a picture supporting sales to Gulf countries. However, the war changed all plans and expectations. High-value products see less demand during periods such as war, when general needs come to the forefront. Because the tension has affected energy markets, supply chains around the world have come under stress. This also leaves open the question of whether we can turn to other markets. Because the global economy has started to come under threat.”

Cenk Çiğdemli: European countries are leading this search

Cenk Çiğdemli, Member of the E-Commerce Council of the Union of Chambers and Commodity Exchanges of Türkiye (TOBB): “E-commerce companies focus all their campaigns on the Gulf. However, this changed with the war. Our companies are cautious about Gulf countries, and the search for alternative markets has accelerated. In this search, European countries are leading the way. North Africa, the Turkic Republics, and especially Eastern Europe are on our agenda. Investments and marketing budgets are shifting to these regions.”

Mustafa Gültepe: The war affected jewelry, cereals, and automotive the most

Mustafa Gültepe, Chairman of the Turkish Exporters Assembly (TİM): “Last month, our exports to all countries in the region except Oman declined. There is a loss of 30 percent in Iraq, 48 percent in the UAE, 41 percent in Iran, 29 percent in Saudi Arabia, 83 percent in Qatar, 70 percent in Kuwait, and nearly 81 percent in Bahrain. The war affected jewelry, cereals, and automotive the most.”

WTO E-Commerce Moratorium Deadlock: Who Will Control Digital Trade Rules?

The recent deadlock at the World Trade Organization (WTO) over e-commerce duties may sound technical. It is not. What we are witnessing is a fundamental disagreement about the rules of the digital economy and, more importantly, about who gets to capture its value.

At the center of the debate is the WTO’s long-standing e-commerce moratorium, a rule that prevents countries from imposing customs duties on electronic transmissions such as software, streaming, and cloud services. After nearly 30 years in place, this rule is now under serious scrutiny.

What Is the WTO E-Commerce Moratorium?

The WTO e-commerce moratorium, first introduced in 1998, ensures that digital products and services can cross borders without tariffs.

This includes:

Software downloads
SaaS platforms (e.g. Microsoft 365)
Streaming services (e.g. Netflix)
Digital media and cloud-based tools

However, the rule does not apply to physical goods.

If you buy a piece of furniture from abroad, it is subject to tax. If you download software from abroad, it is not. This is the core issue. A container of chairs crossing a border is taxed, while a million-dollar SaaS subscription crossing digitally is not taxed

From a policy standpoint, this asymmetry is becoming harder to justify, especially for emerging economies.

Why Brazil, Türkiye, India and Others Said “No” to the WTO E-Commerce Deal

The WTO talks collapsed after Brazil, supported by countries such as Türkiye and aligned with India’s broader stance, refused to agree to a long-term extension of the moratorium.

Their argument is actually quite rational:

The digital economy is still evolving
Governments should not give up taxation rights too early
Digital imports are growing rapidly, but remain untaxed

In simple terms: “Why should we permanently give up the right to tax the fastest-growing part of the global economy?”

This is not protectionism. It is strategic hesitation.

Why the U.S. and EU Support Extending the Moratorium

The United States and European Union strongly advocate for extending the WTO e-commerce moratorium, preferably on a long-term or permanent basis.

Their motivations are clear:

They dominate global digital service exports
Their companies rely on frictionless cross-border data flows
Tariffs on digital services would increase costs and reduce scalability

For these economies, maintaining a duty-free digital environment is essential for sustaining global competitiveness. For them, this rule is not just convenient, but also structural. Without it, global scaling slows down, SaaS becomes more expensive, and platforms face fragmented regulations.

The Real Conflict: Digital Trade vs Traditional Trade

The WTO deadlock reflects a deeper structural issue in global trade:

Traditional Trade	Digital Trade
Physical goods	Intangible services
Subject to tariffs	Currently duty-free
Border-based taxation	Borderless delivery

Emerging economies argue that this imbalance creates an unequal playing field. If physical goods are taxed, why should digital goods remain exempt?

This is often framed as a “developed vs developing” conflict. That is only partially true. The deeper divide is this:

Digital exporters want open, duty-free flows
Digital importers want the right to regulate and tax

This is a clash between two economic realities, one built on platforms and data, and the other still balancing industry, revenue, and transition.

Why This Matters for E-Commerce

For the global e-commerce ecosystem, the implications are significant.

If the moratorium is not extended:

Countries may introduce digital import duties
Cross-border SaaS and platform costs could increase
E-commerce operations could become fragmented by regulation

This would directly impact:

Online marketplaces
Subscription-based business models
Cross-border digital service providers

For regions like the UAE, which position themselves as global e-commerce hubs, maintaining predictable digital trade rules is critical; this could introduce friction into what has so far been a relatively seamless system.

What Happens Next in WTO Negotiations?

Following the deadlock, WTO members will continue discussions in Geneva. The most likely outcome is a short-term extension (2 years), rather than a long-term agreement. However, this does not resolve the underlying issue. The central question remains: Should digital trade be treated the same as physical trade?

From where I stand, working at the intersection of e-commerce, platforms, and global trade, this debate is inevitable. And frankly, overdue. For years, the digital economy has operated in a kind of regulatory grey zone: Borderless, Frictionless, largely untaxed at the transmission level. That model helped accelerate growth. But it also created an imbalance.

The question now is not whether rules will change. They will. The real question is, will those rules enable growth—or fragment it?

The WTO deadlock is often described as a failure. I see it differently. The WTO e-commerce moratorium deadlock is not a temporary disruption. It is a reflection of a broader transformation in the global economy.

We are moving from trade in goods to trade in data and from physical borders to digital jurisdictions

The outcome of this debate will shape:

The cost of digital services
The scalability of e-commerce platforms
The structure of global trade itself

The real question is no longer whether digital trade rules will change. It is, how and in whose favour they will be rewritten.

Bibliography

The Japan Times – “WTO talks end in deadlock after Brazil blocks deal over e-commerce duties” (2026) https://www.japantimes.co.jp/business/2026/03/30/tech/wto-talks-brazil-e-commerce-duties/

World Trade Organization – Work Programme on Electronic Commerce and Moratorium on Customs Duties
https://www.wto.org/english/tratop_e/ecom_e/ecom_work_programme_e.htm

U.S. Trade Representative – Position on WTO E-commerce Moratorium
https://ustr.gov/about/policy-offices/press-office/press-releases/2026/march/ustr-issues-report-wto-reform-eve-ministerial-conference

European Commission – EU Digital Trade and WTO Reform Position Papers
https://www.eeas.europa.eu/delegations/world-trade-organization-wto/eu-submission-wto-reform_en?s=69

WTO – Growing Trade in Electronic Transmissions and Development Implications
https://www.wto.org/english/tratop_e/ecom_e/wkmoratorium29419_e/rashmi_banga.pdf