Customs brokers, declarations and piles of paperwork — the biggest myth keeping small sellers away from cross-border e-commerce. The micro-export regime exists precisely to remove that burden: with ETGB (Electronic Commerce Customs Declaration), your package crosses the border on an electronic declaration prepared by the carrier.
What Is Micro-Export?
The export of commercial shipments under certain value and weight limits via a simplified electronic declaration (ETGB), prepared by the carrier on your behalf — no customs broker needed.
| Topic | Status |
|---|---|
| Declaration | Prepared by the carrier (ETGB) |
| Limits | Value/weight limits are set by regulation — confirm current figures with your carrier |
| VAT | 0% under export exemption; refund right arises |
| Paperwork | E-archive invoice (with English descriptions) + package |
Who Is It Ideal For?
- **Etsy sellers** — nearly all handmade products fit the limits
- Small-volume **Amazon/eBay FBM** sellers
- Boutique brands selling abroad from their own site
Step-by-Step Start
- Company + e-invoice setup: invoices are mandatory; write product descriptions in English
- Carrier choice: compare express carriers' e-export tariffs and the postal operator's e-commerce solutions
- ETGB request: tick the micro-export option when creating the shipment and enter invoice details
- VAT refund: ETGBs are submitted to the tax office for the export exemption — set the flow up with your accountant from day one
- Package: contents and declared value must match the invoice exactly
Cost and Pricing
Foreign price = product + international shipping + return risk + marketplace commission + payment intermediary cut. Run currency-based margin math with our profit margin tool and issue invoices with English descriptions using the invoice generator.
Watch Out For
- **Restricted products:** check destination rules for food, cosmetics, battery-containing items
- **Buyer-country import tax:** IOSS for the EU, VAT registration for the UK — marketplaces handle most of it when you sell through them
- **Return plan:** international returns are expensive; refund-without-return is often cheaper for low-value items
Bottom Line
Micro-export is the lowest-threshold door to foreign-currency income for small Turkish sellers. Do your first shipment as a trial order, experience the ETGB and VAT-refund flow end to end once — after that it is routine operations.