Legal framework: Which laws and regulations apply to e-commerce?
When trading online between Germany and Turkey, retailers have to take into account many Laws and regulations note.
1) Business registration & legal form
🇩🇪 In Germany
- E-commerce traders must register a business.
- Possible legal forms: Sole proprietorship, GmbH, UG or GbR.
- Obligation to provide a VAT identification number (VAT ID) for international trade.
Tip: If you want to sell from Germany to Turkey, you need a Customs and tax registration in Turkey.
🇹🇷 In Turkey
- Retailers must have a Register a company in Turkey (e.g. as a sole proprietorship or limited Şirketi).
- Platforms like Trendyol or Hepsiburada require a valid Turkish tax number.
- International dealers must register for the register Turkish value added tax (KDV).
Tip: If you do not have a registered office in Turkey, you can use Dropshipping or fulfillment service provider sell.
2) Consumer protection & right of withdrawal
🇩🇪 In Germany (strict rules!)
- 14-day right of withdrawal for consumers.
- Retailers must have clear General terms and conditions, privacy policy & revocation policy on their website.
- Prices must including value added tax and shipping costs.
- Retailers must provide customers with a Invoice with all legal details exhibit.
Tip: Anyone selling in Germany must adhere to the strict consumer protection laws - otherwise they could face warnings!
🇹🇷 In Turkey
- Right of withdrawal: Customers generally have 7 days to cancel or return an order.
- Platforms such as Trendyol or Hepsiburada have their own return policies.
- Money-back guarantee is often voluntary, but important for customer confidence.
Tip: German retailers must adhere to the Turkish platform guidelines if they want to sell there.
3) Tax law & value added tax (sales tax/KDV)
🇩🇪 Value added tax in Germany
- 19 % VAT on most products (7 % for food & books).
- Anyone who sells to customers in Turkey can, under certain conditions export VAT-free.
Tip: One Export certificate is necessary in order to recover VAT in Germany.
🇹🇷 Value-added tax (KDV) in Turkey
- 18 % VAT on most products (8 % for some food & cosmetics, 1 % for certain staple foods).
- Anyone selling from Germany to Turkey must register for the Register KDV taxif he sells regularly in Turkey.
Tip: On platforms like Trendyol or Hepsiburada, VAT is calculated automatically.
4) Customs & import regulations
🇹🇷 Import to Turkey
- Customs union between the EU & Turkey: No customs duties for industrial goods with ATR document.
- Customs duties for food, cosmetics or electronics → These products require a special Import license.
- Products must be tested according to Turkish standards (TSE)before they can be sold.
Tip: If you want to sell tea, food supplements or cosmetics, you need a Import permit from the Turkish Ministry of Health.
🇩🇪 Import to Germany
- Food & food supplements must be tested (e.g. organic certificate, TÜV test).
- Mandatory labeling in German: All ingredients and nutritional values must be listed on the packaging.
- The German Packaging Act (VerpackG) stipulates that retailers must register in the LUCID system.
Tip: Anyone importing products from Turkey to Germany must Pay customs duty & import sales tax.
5)Data protection & GDPR
🇩🇪 Data protection in Germany (very strict!)
- The GDPR (General Data Protection Regulation) applies to all retailersthat process the data of EU citizens.
- Consent requirement for cookies & newsletters.
- Encryption & secure storage of customer data are mandatory.
Tip: Anyone selling in Germany needs a Privacy policy & a legally compliant legal notice on the website.
🇹🇷 Data protection in Turkey
- The Turkish KVKK Act largely corresponds to the GDPR.
- Online stores must inform customers about Data storage & processing.
Tip: Retailers should have a Provide privacy policy in Turkishwhen they address Turkish customers.
6) Platform regulations (Trendyol, Hepsiburada, Amazon.de)
Trendyol & Hepsiburada (Turkey)
- Retailers must have a have companies in Turkey or work with a Turkish fulfillment provider.
- Prices must be displayed including KDV.
- Products need Turkish descriptions & labels.
Amazon.de & eBay (Germany)
- Strict general terms and conditions & data protection guidelines must be adhered to.
- Retailers need a Packaging registration (LUCID).
- Products must have a German description.
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