E-Commerce Company Formation And Consulting
E-Commerce Company Formation And Consulting Services in Türkiye
Start and Structure Your E-Commerce Business in Türkiye with Professional Guidance
Are you planning to establish an e-commerce company in Türkiye and sell products or services to customers in Türkiye or international markets?
Setting up an online business involves considerably more than creating a website and listing products for sale. International entrepreneurs entering the Turkish market need to consider company formation, taxation, accounting, payment systems, e-commerce regulations, consumer protection, data protection, electronic communications, logistics, trademark protection and ongoing corporate compliance.
İCG® PARTNERS provides comprehensive e-commerce consulting services in Türkiye for international entrepreneurs, investors and companies planning to establish and operate an e-commerce business in Türkiye.
Based in Istanbul, we help international entrepreneurs coordinate the commercial, financial, legal and operational aspects of establishing an e-commerce business in Türkiye.
Our approach is designed around a simple principle: Your e-commerce business should be planned as one integrated commercial structure — not as a collection of unrelated services.
For this reason, we offer company formation, accounting and tax services, legal and commercial consultancy, virtual office solutions, corporate bank account assistance, payroll, trademark registration and other business services through an integrated and cost-conscious service model.
Why Choose Türkiye for Your E-Commerce Business? 
Türkiye offers international entrepreneurs access to a large domestic market as well as a strategic location connecting Europe, Asia, the Middle East and other regional markets.
The Turkish Ministry of Trade defines e-commerce as the online purchase and sale of goods and services and continues to develop dedicated resources covering e-commerce, global payments, international logistics, e-export and international market development.
For an international entrepreneur, establishing an e-commerce company in Türkiye can therefore involve both domestic online sales and cross-border opportunities. However, entering the Turkish market successfully requires an appropriate corporate and regulatory structure.
Before launching your online business, you should determine:
- What products or services will you sell?
- Will you sell through your own website, marketplaces or both?
- Will you sell to Turkish consumers, businesses or international customers?
- Will you import products into Türkiye?
- Will you export products from Türkiye?
- How will customers make payments?
- Where will your inventory be stored?
- How will orders and returns be managed?
- Will you employ staff in Türkiye?
- Will you need a trademark registration?
- Will your website process personal data?
- Will you send marketing emails or SMS messages?
- Does your business need ETBİS registration?
- Are your products subject to sector-specific regulations?
These questions should ideally be addressed before the company is established, rather than after the business has started operating.
Can Foreigners Establish an E-Commerce Company in Türkiye?
Yes. International investors can establish companies in Türkiye under the Turkish Commercial Code, and the official Investment Office states that international investors generally have the same rights and liabilities as local investors under Türkiye's foreign direct investment framework.
Foreign entrepreneurs may therefore establish a Turkish company for e-commerce activities and operate their business from Türkiye, subject to the applicable corporate, tax, regulatory and sector-specific requirements. For an international entrepreneur, however, the process may involve additional documentation and practical steps.
Depending on the circumstances, foreign shareholders may need documents such as passport copies and appropriately translated and notarized documents. Documents issued outside Türkiye may also need apostille or consular legalization, followed by official translation and notarization in Türkiye, depending on the document and jurisdiction.
This is why professional coordination can be particularly useful for foreign entrepreneurs who are unfamiliar with Turkish company formation procedures.
How to Establish an E-Commerce Company in Türkiye
Establishing an e-commerce company in Türkiye generally involves several interconnected stages.
1. Define Your E-Commerce Business Model
Before forming the company, determine how the business will generate revenue.
Your model may involve:
- Your own e-commerce website
- Turkish marketplaces
- International marketplaces
- Social media commerce
- B2C sales
- B2B sales
- Subscription-based services
- Digital products
- Physical products
- Import and resale
- Export and e-commerce
- Cross-border e-commerce
The business model can affect the company's activity codes, taxation, contracts, logistics, payment structure and regulatory obligations.
2. Choose the Appropriate Company Structure
One of the first decisions for an international entrepreneur is choosing the appropriate legal entity. Depending on the business plan, entrepreneurs may consider structures such as:
- Limited Liability Company
- Joint Stock Company
- Other legally available structures depending on the intended activity
A Turkish Limited Liability Company (Ltd. Şti.) is frequently considered by entrepreneurs establishing a privately held operating business, but the appropriate structure depends on the shareholders, investment plan, financing requirements, business model and future objectives. The important point is that the company structure should be selected according to the business — rather than simply choosing the most common structure.
3. Determine the Registered Business Address 
A Turkish company needs an appropriate registered address. Depending on the nature of the e-commerce operation, this may be:
- A physical commercial office
- A suitable virtual office
- Another legally appropriate business address
For an e-commerce company that does not require a customer-facing physical store, a virtual office solution may be considered where legally and operationally appropriate. The address should be determined as part of the company formation strategy rather than treated as a separate issue after incorporation.
4. Complete Company Formation and Registration
The incorporation process includes preparation of the company's constitutional documents, registration with the relevant Trade Registry Directorate and completion of related tax and corporate procedures.
Türkiye's official Investment Office describes MERSİS as the central electronic system used for commercial registry processes and notes that company establishment procedures are conducted through Trade Registry Directorates.
For foreign shareholders, document preparation should be handled carefully because documents issued abroad may require apostille or consular authentication, translation and notarization depending on the circumstances.
5. Establish Your Accounting and Tax Infrastructure
Company formation is only the beginning. Once the company is established, an appropriate accounting and tax infrastructure should be put in place.
An e-commerce company may need to manage:
- Sales invoices
- E-invoices
- E-archive invoices
- VAT
- Corporate taxation
- Marketplace commissions
- Advertising expenses
- Shipping expenses
- Product returns
- Inventory and cost tracking
- Supplier invoices
- Foreign currency transactions
- Cross-border transactions
- Payment service provider settlements
E-commerce accounting can become particularly complex when sales are conducted through multiple marketplaces, payment providers and international channels. For this reason, your accounting structure should be designed around your actual sales model.
E-Commerce Compliance in Türkiye
One of the most important differences between establishing an ordinary company and establishing an e-commerce business is the need to consider the regulations governing online commercial activities.
There is not simply one universal “e-commerce licence” covering every online business. Instead, the applicable requirements depend on:
- The products or services being sold
- The sales channel
- Whether customers are consumers or businesses
- Whether the company operates its own website
- Whether it uses marketplaces
- Whether it imports or exports products
- Whether it processes personal data
- Whether it sends commercial electronic messages
- Whether the products are subject to sector-specific regulations
A proper e-commerce compliance review should therefore be carried out before launch.
ETBİS Registration for E-Commerce Businesses
ETBİS — the Electronic Commerce Information System — is an important regulatory consideration for businesses conducting e-commerce activities in Türkiye. The Turkish Ministry of Trade explains that certain electronic commerce service providers and intermediary service providers must register with ETBİS before commencing their activities.
The exact requirement depends on the structure and channel through which the e-commerce activity is conducted. For example, an entrepreneur selling through their own Turkish e-commerce website should have the ETBİS position reviewed as part of the launch process.
Businesses operating exclusively through certain domestic marketplace structures may be treated differently under the applicable rules. Accordingly, international entrepreneurs should not assume that ETBİS registration is either universally required or universally unnecessary.
The business model and sales channels should be reviewed first. The official ETBİS platform also provides a registered-site enquiry system and current regulatory information.
Distance Sales Contracts and Consumer Protection 
If you sell products or services online to consumers in Türkiye, consumer protection and distance-contract rules can become an important part of your e-commerce infrastructure.
The Turkish Ministry of Trade explains that purchases made through websites and mobile applications may fall within the scope of distance contracts when the relevant conditions are satisfied.
A professional e-commerce website should therefore address matters such as:
- Pre-contractual information
- Seller information
- Product and service information
- Total price
- Delivery terms
- Payment conditions
- Cancellation and withdrawal rights
- Return procedures
- Refunds
- Customer complaints
- Contract confirmation and record keeping
Under the Turkish Consumer Protection Law, distance contracts are regulated under Article 48 and the relevant secondary legislation. The exact requirements should be reviewed according to the products, customer profile and business model.
KVKK and Personal Data Protection
An e-commerce business will typically process personal data. Depending on the business model, this can include:
- Customer names
- Telephone numbers
- Email addresses
- Delivery addresses
- Order information
- Customer communications
- Account information
- Marketing preferences
- Website and cookie data
The Turkish Personal Data Protection Law No. 6698 (KVKK) may therefore apply to the business. An e-commerce website should be reviewed in relation to its:
- Privacy and data-processing practices
- Disclosure obligations
- Cookie technologies
- Marketing activities
- Data transfers
- Data security
- Customer databases
- Third-party service providers
The precise requirements depend on how the business collects, uses, stores and transfers personal data.
Commercial Electronic Messages and IYS
If your company plans to send promotional emails, SMS messages or other commercial electronic communications to customers in Türkiye, the relevant rules concerning commercial electronic messages should be considered.
Türkiye operates the İleti Yönetim Sistemi (IYS) for the management of commercial electronic communication permissions and rejection rights. The Ministry of Trade describes IYS as a central system allowing commercial communication permissions to be managed and recipients to exercise their right to withdraw consent.
Your marketing infrastructure should therefore be planned together with your legal compliance framework.
Product-Specific Licences and Regulatory Requirements
There is no single list of licences that applies to every e-commerce company in Türkiye. The regulatory requirements may change depending on what you sell.
For example, additional rules may apply to businesses dealing with:
- Food products
- Cosmetics
- Dietary supplements
- Medical devices
- Certain electronic products
- Alcohol-related products
- Products subject to safety regulations
- Imported products
- Regulated consumer goods
- Financial or payment-related services
If your planned business involves regulated products, the applicable legislation should be reviewed before the company begins commercial operations.
E-Commerce Tax and Accounting Coordination 
International entrepreneurs often underestimate the importance of establishing the accounting structure correctly from the beginning. An e-commerce company may have hundreds or thousands of individual transactions, marketplace deductions, payment service settlements, returns and advertising expenses.
Our e-commerce accounting and financial consultancy can be structured around your business model and may include:
- Bookkeeping
- Tax compliance
- VAT-related processes
- Corporate tax processes
- E-invoicing
- E-archive invoicing
- Financial reporting
- Marketplace reconciliation
- Expense tracking
- Payment-provider reconciliation
- Foreign currency transactions
- Management reporting
- General financial consultancy
The objective is to establish an accounting structure capable of supporting your business as it grows.
Corporate Bank Account and Payment Infrastructure
An e-commerce company needs a reliable payment structure. Depending on the business model, you may require:
- A Turkish corporate bank account
- Online payment solutions
- Virtual POS
- Payment service providers
- Marketplace payment accounts
- International payment arrangements
- Foreign currency accounts
Banks and payment providers may have their own onboarding procedures and documentation requirements. İCG® PARTNERS can assist international entrepreneurs in preparing for the relevant corporate banking and payment infrastructure processes.
Virtual Office Solutions for E-Commerce Companies
Not every e-commerce business requires a traditional customer-facing office. For eligible business models, a professional virtual office can provide a practical corporate address while allowing the entrepreneur to operate the business without maintaining a conventional office space.
Our virtual office solutions can be considered as part of a broader company formation package where appropriate. The suitability of a virtual office depends on the company's actual activity and legal requirements.
Trademark Registration for E-Commerce Businesses
Your brand is one of the most valuable assets of an online business. Before investing significantly in:
- Website development
- Packaging
- Advertising
- Social media
- Influencer marketing
- Product design
- Customer acquisition
you should consider whether your brand name is available and whether trademark protection should be pursued.
İCG® PARTNERS can coordinate trademark registration and related consultancy as part of your broader e-commerce business setup.
Payroll and Employee Management
If your e-commerce company will employ staff in Türkiye, additional obligations may arise. Depending on your workforce, you may need support with:
- Employment documentation
- Payroll
- Social Security Institution (SGK) processes
- Employee registrations
- Monthly payroll calculations
- Employer declarations
- Employment-related administrative procedures
Payroll and employment processes can be integrated into the broader accounting and company administration structure.
Our E-Commerce Consulting Services
İCG® PARTNERS provides an integrated range of services for entrepreneurs establishing and operating e-commerce businesses in Türkiye. 
Depending on your needs, our services may include:
E-Commerce Company Formation
Assistance with establishing an appropriate Turkish company structure for your e-commerce business and coordinating the incorporation process.
Accounting and Tax Coordination
Ongoing accounting, bookkeeping, tax compliance and financial consultancy designed around e-commerce operations.
E-Commerce Regulatory Compliance
Review of the legal and regulatory requirements relevant to your online business model.
ETBİS Consultancy
Assessment of ETBİS registration and notification obligations based on your e-commerce structure and sales channels.
Distance Sales and Consumer Compliance
Assistance with structuring the contractual and informational framework required for online sales to consumers.
KVKK and Data Protection Consultancy
Coordination of data-protection requirements relevant to your e-commerce website and customer data.
Corporate Bank Account Assistance
Support during the corporate bank account opening process in Türkiye.
Payment Infrastructure Consultancy
Assistance in evaluating suitable online payment and payment-service solutions for your business model.
Virtual Office Services
Professional virtual office solutions for eligible businesses establishing their Turkish operations.
Trademark Registration
Trademark registration consultancy to help protect your e-commerce brand in Türkiye.
Payroll and SGK Services
Payroll outsourcing and social security administration for companies employing personnel in Türkiye.
Commercial and Management Consultancy
Ongoing business consultancy for entrepreneurs who need support beyond the initial company formation stage.
A Complete E-Commerce Business Setup — Under One Roof
International entrepreneurs often face a practical problem when entering a new market.
One provider handles company formation. Another handles accounting. A different lawyer handles contracts. A bank handles the corporate account. Another service provider handles payroll. A trademark consultant handles intellectual property. Meanwhile, the entrepreneur is left to coordinate the entire process.
Our integrated approach is designed to simplify this structure.
İCG® PARTNERS brings together multiple business services so that international entrepreneurs can coordinate their Turkish e-commerce setup through a single professional contact point.
Depending on your requirements, we can combine: “ Company Formation + Accounting + Tax + Legal Consultancy + Virtual Office + Bank Account Assistance + Payment Infrastructure + Payroll + Trademark Registration + Business Consultancy “ into an integrated service package.
This approach can reduce administrative complexity, improve coordination between different stages of the setup process and help entrepreneurs manage their professional service costs more efficiently.
Why Work with İCG® PARTNERS?
Establishing an e-commerce company in another country involves more than understanding the law. You also need to understand how the business actually operates.
At İCG® PARTNERS, we approach e-commerce company formation from both a commercial and compliance perspective. 
Our objective is to help you understand:
- What type of company you may need
- How your Turkish business should be structured
- What tax and accounting infrastructure you may require
- Whether ETBİS applies to your business model
- What your website may need from a consumer-law perspective
- How personal data should be handled
- How payments can be structured
- Whether a virtual office is suitable
- How employees can be managed
- Whether trademark registration should be considered
- Which additional services may be relevant to your business
Rather than offering isolated services, we aim to create a coordinated business setup tailored to your e-commerce model.
E-Commerce Company Formation in Istanbul
İstanbul is one of Türkiye's principal commercial centres and an important location for companies serving both the Turkish and international markets.
For international entrepreneurs, establishing an e-commerce company in Istanbul can provide a practical base for managing:
- Turkish market sales
- Regional distribution
- International trade
- Import operations
- Export activities
- E-commerce operations
- Digital marketing
- Logistics
- Corporate administration
İCG® PARTNERS is based in Istanbul and provides company formation and business consultancy services for international entrepreneurs planning to establish a Turkish business.
Whether you are starting a new online brand, expanding an existing international business into Türkiye or creating a Turkish e-commerce operation from the ground up, we can help you evaluate the required corporate and commercial structure.
What Should You Decide Before Establishing Your E-Commerce Company?
Before incorporating your company, we recommend defining your business model.
What will you sell?
Your product category may determine additional regulatory, import, safety or licensing requirements.
Who will you sell to?
B2C, B2B and mixed business models can involve different contractual and operational considerations.
Where will you sell?
Your own website, Turkish marketplaces, social media and international platforms can involve different compliance and operational requirements.
How will you receive payments?
Your payment structure should be considered together with your banking, accounting and tax infrastructure.
Where will your products come from?
If products are imported into Türkiye, customs and import requirements need to be considered.
Where will your products go?
If you plan to export from Türkiye, the business should be structured with international logistics and export processes in mind.
Will you employ staff?
If your business requires employees in Türkiye, payroll and social security processes should be incorporated into your business plan.
How will you protect your brand?
Trademark protection should be considered before substantial investment is made in the brand.
Frequently Asked Questions About E-Commerce Company Formation in Türkiye
Can a foreigner establish an e-commerce company in Türkiye? 
Yes. International investors can establish companies in Türkiye, subject to the applicable Turkish corporate and regulatory requirements. Türkiye's Investment Office states that international investors generally have the same rights and liabilities as local investors and may establish company types provided under the Turkish Commercial Code.
Do I need a Turkish partner to establish an e-commerce company?
Not necessarily. The applicable ownership structure depends on the company and business model, but Turkish law allows international investors to establish companies in Türkiye.
What type of company should I establish for e-commerce in Türkiye?
A limited liability company is commonly considered for privately held operating businesses, but the appropriate structure depends on your shareholders, investment plans, financing requirements and long-term objectives.
Do I need a physical office in Türkiye?
A Turkish company requires an appropriate registered business address. Depending on the business model, a virtual office may be an option where legally and operationally appropriate.
Do I need ETBİS registration?
ETBİS requirements depend on how your e-commerce activity is structured and where you sell. Certain e-commerce service providers and intermediary service providers are required to register with ETBİS before commencing their activities.
Do I need an e-commerce licence in Türkiye?
There is not one universal e-commerce licence applicable to every online business. However, specific registration, notification, consumer protection, data protection and sector-specific requirements may apply depending on your business.
Do I need a distance sales agreement?
If your online sales fall within the scope of distance contracts, the relevant Turkish consumer legislation applies. The Ministry of Trade specifically identifies website and mobile-app purchases as examples of transactions that may constitute distance contracts.
Do I need to comply with Turkish consumer protection law?
If you sell to consumers in Türkiye, consumer protection rules may apply to your transactions, including pre-contractual information, delivery, withdrawal and refund procedures.
Do I need to register my trademark?
Trademark registration is not generally a prerequisite for incorporating an e-commerce company, but registering your brand can be an important element of protecting your commercial identity.
Can I sell through Turkish marketplaces?
Yes, businesses can sell through online marketplaces subject to the relevant platform requirements, commercial, tax and regulatory obligations.
Can I sell from Türkiye to customers abroad?
Yes. A Turkish company can potentially engage in cross-border e-commerce and e-export activities, subject to applicable customs, tax, foreign trade and destination-country requirements.
Can I open a Turkish corporate bank account?
A Turkish company can apply for a corporate bank account. Banks determine their own onboarding procedures and documentation requirements, so the process can vary between banks.
Can I use a virtual office for my e-commerce company?
Depending on the business model and applicable requirements, a virtual office may provide a practical registered address solution for an e-commerce business.
Can İCG® PARTNERS handle several services together?
Yes. Our service model is designed to combine company formation, accounting, tax, legal and commercial consultancy, virtual office, banking assistance, payroll, trademark registration and other business services according to the entrepreneur's requirements.
Build Your E-Commerce Business in Türkiye with a Professional Structure
Establishing an e-commerce company in Türkiye can be an attractive opportunity for international entrepreneurs, but the foundation of the business matters. A successful online business requires more than a website.
It requires an appropriate corporate structure, properly organized accounting and taxation, suitable payment infrastructure, compliant sales processes, effective data protection, appropriate contracts, reliable operational processes and a clear commercial strategy.
İCG® PARTNERS helps international entrepreneurs coordinate these requirements through a comprehensive and integrated service model. Company formation , ETBİS, legal compliance, virtual office, corporate banking, payroll, trademark registration and commercial consultancy, we can help you build the infrastructure required to establish and operate your e-commerce business in Türkiye.
Build Your Turkish E-Commerce Business with İCG® PARTNERS. Contact us to discuss your e-commerce company formation and request a tailored service package for your business.
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