Selling through Amazon offers a significant scaling and market access advantage for brands in Turkey considering e-export. However, it is important to clarify a critical distinction:
The Ministry of Trade does not provide direct support for “opening an Amazon store.”
The supported area is e-export activities carried out through international marketplaces such as Amazon.
The Core Logic of the Support Mechanism
The Ministry of Trade’s approach is activity-based rather than platform-based. In other words, there is no incentive package specific to Amazon. However, e-export processes carried out through Amazon can be evaluated within the scope of existing support programs.
Within this framework, Amazon is considered as:
A marketplace
A sales and distribution channel
Which Cost Items May Be Eligible for Support?
Companies selling on Amazon may benefit from supports under the following categories, provided they meet the required conditions:
1. Marketplace Advertising and Promotion Expenses
Amazon Ads (sponsored products, sponsored brands, etc.)
Internationally targeted digital advertising activities
These expenses may be supported at certain rates under the e-export promotion support program. Support rates and upper limits vary according to the relevant year’s official communiqué.
2. Marketplace Commission Expenses
The commissions charged by Amazon per sale represent a significant cost item for e-exporting companies.
Under certain programs, the Ministry of Trade may include these commission expenses within the scope of support at specified rates.
3. Software and Integration Expenses
Marketplace integration software
Inventory, order, and accounting integrations
The technical infrastructure used to manage Amazon operations is also among the expense items that may be evaluated within the scope of e-export supports.
4. Training and Capacity-Building Programs
The Ministry of Trade, in cooperation with Amazon Türkiye, TOBB, and various institutions, organizes:
E-export training programs
Informational programs focused on marketplace sales
These programs do not provide direct financial support; instead, they are aimed at building knowledge and operational capability.
What Is Not Covered by Support?
To avoid creating incorrect expectations, certain points need to be clarified:
❌ The cost of opening an Amazon store is not directly covered
❌ Amazon’s own logistics services such as FBA are not automatically supported
❌ There is no platform-specific or preferential government incentive
Support applies only to documented, export-oriented, and regulation-compliant expenses.
Why Are Amazon and Government Supports Mentioned Together?
The main reason is that Amazon has become one of the most widely used e-export channels for companies selling from Turkey to international markets. Since the Ministry of Trade views e-export as a strategic growth area, platforms such as Amazon are indirectly part of this ecosystem.
However, it is important to emphasize once again that support is granted based on the activity carried out, not on the platform itself.
What Should Be the Right Approach for Brands?
For brands aiming to grow on Amazon with the help of government supports, the most sound approach is to:
- Position Amazon as a sales channel
- Clearly define the e-export strategy
- Plan expenses under the correct categories with proper documentation
- Manage support applications in a professional manner
This approach both increases the chances of benefiting from available supports and strengthens the sustainability of Amazon operations.
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