Applied to mobile phones Special Consumption Tax (SCT) base was rearranged. The change, which came into force with the decision of the President published in the Official Gazette, aims to reduce the tax burden on low and middle segment devices. For models in the upper price group, 50 percent SCT will continue to be implemented. This decision was implemented at a time when mobile phone prices in Türkiye were rising due to the effect of increasing exchange rates and production costs.
According to the new regulation, 25 percent SCT rate now Base up to 4,500 TL will be valid for. Previously, this limit was applied as 1,500 TL. Besides, 40 percent SCT slice It will cover phones between 4,500 TL and 9,000 TL. For devices over 9,000 TL 50 percent rate is protected. With this update, it has become possible for some mid-range phones, which were previously in the upper tax bracket, to now be taxed in lower brackets. Thus, it is considered that a certain price advantage may arise, especially in the sales of domestically produced and assembled models.
Increasing production and import costs played a major role in determining the new tax base limits. Because rising exchange rates in recent years have pushed mobile phone prices to levels that rapidly exceed tax brackets. Therefore, it has become necessary to update tax bases according to current market conditions. BloombergHT According to sources, after the regulation, there may be a certain decrease in the prices of models below 9,000 TL. However, the extent to which this situation will be reflected in consumer prices will depend on the new price policies of producers and sellers.
The new base regulation reshapes the mobile phone market
Industry representatives state that the change can partially reduce the imbalance in the mobile phone market. Because many models that were previously in the low segment were in the high tax bracket due to the exchange rate difference. Now though Thanks to the base increase These devices will be subject to more favorable taxation rates. This may increase the competitiveness of models, especially those offered for sale in the range of 4,500–9,000 TL. Despite this, the continuation of the 50 percent tax rate on high-end and imported phones will maintain the price difference.
With the determination of new tax limits, significant changes in consumer preferences is expected to happen. It seems likely that the market share of mid-segment phones will increase and the sales volume of domestic brands will increase. Because many devices assembled in Türkiye will now fall into the lower Special Consumption Tax bracket. In this way, the cost burden will be alleviated somewhat for both the manufacturer and the user.
Base regulation, Official Gazette dated 24 October 2025It was published in and came into force on the same day. The effects of the application are expected to be reflected in price lists, especially starting from November. Although the tax rate in the upper segment remains constant, the new regulation will change the sales conditions of models in the lower and middle segments. This change in the tax system paves the way for a new price balance in the Turkish mobile phone market.