Starting an E-Commerce Business in Istanbul: 2026 Guide
Turkey’s e-commerce market is one of the fastest-growing in Europe, and Istanbul is its epicenter. This guide walks you through everything needed to launch an e-commerce business in Istanbul as a foreign founder — from choosing the right platform and registering your company to setting up payment gateways, arranging logistics, and complying with Turkish e-commerce regulations. We cover the dominant platforms (Trendyol, Hepsiburada, Amazon Turkey), local payment processors, and the distance selling regulations that govern online retail. You will learn about warehousing options, last-mile delivery providers, customer return policies, and the tax implications of online sales. Whether you are selling locally or using Istanbul as a fulfillment hub for regional e-commerce, this guide gives you the roadmap.