Market audits by the Ministry of Trade: Millions of products inspected
In inspections conducted across 81 provinces by the Ministry of Trade in the first 9 months of 2026, over 44 million products were checked and 2.6 billion liras in fines were levied for non-compliant transactions.
The Ministry of Trade has shared the balance sheet of its inspections carried out in the first 9 months of 2026 to maintain stability in the domestic market and protect consumer rights. While more than 360,000 companies were inspected nationwide, the total penalty amount exceeded 23 billion TL when combined with Competition Authority data.
General Inspection and Penalty Balance Sheet
The Ministry of Trade shared data regarding inspection activities carried out across all 81 provinces in the first 9 months of 2026 with the public. During this period, a total of 360,578 companies were inspected, and approximately 44 million 12 thousand products were checked.
A total of 2.6 billion liras in administrative fines was imposed on companies found to have engaged in non-compliant transactions. With the addition of fines levied by the Competition Authority, the total penalty amount surpassed the 23 billion TL threshold.
General Directorate of Internal Trade Activities
The General Directorate of Internal Trade inspected a total of 59,947 companies within the scope of automotive, stockpiling, real estate, jewelry, and unfair commercial practices. Fines totaling 724.7 million liras were imposed on 6,072 real and legal persons determined not to have followed the rules.
Out of the imposed fines, 399.5 million liras stemmed from exorbitant pricing, 145.1 million liras from automotive, 45.6 million liras from real estate, and 13.7 million liras from regulatory violations in the jewelry sector.
Consumer Rights and Market Surveillance
The General Directorate of Consumer Protection and Market Surveillance inspected 40,857 companies, issuing 984 million liras in administrative fines to 1,498 companies whose infringing actions were identified. Prepaid housing sales and subscription agreements stood out in this area.
It was noted that within this scope, fines of 735.3 million liras were levied for irregularities in prepaid housing sales, distance contracts, and subscriptions, while 232.1 million liras were fined for unfair commercial practices.
Inspections Conducted by Provincial Directorates
In local inspections carried out through the 81 provincial directorates affiliated with the Ministry, detailed reviews were conducted on 259,774 companies. As a result of these reviews, administrative fines totaling 917.6 million liras were applied to 52,786 companies that failed to comply with the rules.
Annual Fines by the Competition Authority
While the Competition Authority imposed 13.2 billion liras in fines on 227 companies in 2025, it levied 20.5 billion liras in administrative fines on 255 operating companies in the first 9 months of 2026.
The authority's fines in 2026 were particularly targeted at companies operating in information technologies, automotive, food, and labor markets.