Significant Amendments Regarding the Right of Withdrawal and Returns in Distance Sales

The Regulation Amending the Regulation on Distance Contracts (“Regulation”) prepared by the Ministry of Trade was published in the Official Gazette dated 24 May 2025 and numbered 32909.

The Regulation introduces key amendments in the following areas:

1. Consumers Will No Longer Be Liable for Return Shipping Costs
Under the previous framework, consumers exercising their right of withdrawal could be required to cover return shipping costs. This provision has now been repealed. Accordingly, when a consumer exercises the right of withdrawal, the return shipping costs must be borne by the seller or provider.

2. The Right of Withdrawal for Electronic Products Will Be Maintained
The earlier restriction on the right of withdrawal for electronic products—such as mobile phones, smartwatches, tablets, and computers—has been revoked in response to consumer demands. As a result, consumers will continue to have the right to withdraw from contracts for such products within 14 days of delivery, without the need to provide any justification.

3. Mandatory Mediation Information Must Be Included in the Preliminary Information Form
For consumer disputes falling below a specified monetary threshold, the obligation to initiate mediation proceedings must be clearly disclosed to the consumer prior to the conclusion of the distance contract. This requirement must be fulfilled through the inclusion of such information in the preliminary information form.

The Regulation will enter into force on 1 January 2026.

You can access the full text of the Regulation (in Turkish) here.

Kind regards,

Zumbul Attorneys-at-Law

info@zumbul.av.tr

All information and documents on our website have been prepared by Zumbul Attorneys at Law for general informational purposes only, in accordance with the Attorneyship Law, other relevant legislation and the Professional Rules of Attorneyship of the Union of Turkish Bar Associations. These publications are not intended for advertising or commercial purposes. The information and documents provided are of a general nature and under no circumstances, do they guarantee or warrant that the content is complete, accurate, up-to-date, or reliable. You should not rely on the information and documents on this website without first consulting a lawyer or expert. The links included in our website’s publications are sourced from publicly available materials and are provided solely for the convenience of visitors in accessing additional information. These links do not constitute any form of recommendation or endorsement of the linked persons, institutions or organizations. The information on this website does not in any way constitute legal advice or establish an attorney-client relationship with visitors to the site. All content on this website is the property of by Zumbul Attorneys at Law, and no content may be copied, reproduced, or used without prior written permission.