Cyprus

Specific Information

Normal residence definition: The place where a person usually lives, spending at least 185 days in a 12-month period, due to personal and occupational ties. If occupational and personal ties are in different places, normal residence is usually determined by personal ties. University or school attendance does not constitute normal residence.

Intra-EU moves: No customs duties apply to household goods moving between EU member states, provided Union status of the goods is demonstrated with a T2L or T2LF document or status C documentation. EU shipments are randomly inspected; inspection fees are charged to the client's account.

All non-EU shipments are inspected. LCL and air shipments are inspected at the NVOCC depot or airport. FCL shipments are inspected at the agent's warehouse or at the residence by customs officers. Physical inspections are usually conducted after 3pm, which may cause additional storage costs.

CE marking requirement: Electrical appliances that do not bear CE markings should not be shipped to Cyprus. Customs officials in the Republic of Cyprus may confiscate non-CE-marked appliances found during inspection.

Shipper must be present: The shipper must be in Cyprus during customs clearance and must sign the customs declaration in the presence of a customs officer. This applies to non-EU shipments.

Returning students (non-EU origin): Students returning to Cyprus and bringing used personal effects or household goods from non-EU countries must pay duties and VAT ranging from approximately 18-33% on the current value declared to customs. New items are also dutiable at rates depending on the items.

Wharfage and terminal handling charges: Wharfage tax was abolished by the port authority as of February 1, 2017 (per FIDI guide, January 2020). Terminal handling charges (THC) remain: approximately EUR 186 for a 20' container and EUR 280 for a 40' or 40'HC container. Shipping lines also charge a delivery order fee that varies by carrier. THC and delivery order charges may be included or excluded from the destination agent's service charge.

ISPM 15: All solid wood packing materials used as overcasing, bracing, or blocking must conform to EU Commission Directive 2004/102/EC (ISPM 15) and be clearly marked with IPPC symbol, registration, and treatment codes.

Alienation restriction: Per the Shoham Shipping guide, vehicles imported under the transfer of residence relief cannot be transferred in ownership for 3 years after arrival. Confirm whether a similar restriction applies to household goods with the destination agent.

Pre-alert for pianos, alcohol, guns, or abnormal items: The destination agent should be informed in advance if the shipment includes pianos, alcohol, shotguns, air rifles, or other items not typically associated with normal household goods.

Duties & Taxes

Duty-free conditions (non-EU origin): Used household goods and personal effects may be imported free of import duty and VAT provided the shipper has lived outside the EU for a continuous period of at least 12 months prior to transfer of normal residence to Cyprus. The goods must have been in the shipper's possession and use for a minimum of 6 months before the move, must be intended for personal use only (not for resale), and the shipper must not have resided in Cyprus for more than 12 months during the previous 2 years. Goods must be imported within a period of 6 months before or 12 months after the transfer of residence.

New items (non-EU origin): All items owned and used for less than 6 months are classified as new. The 6-month period excludes shipping time. New items are dutiable and must be declared separately on a C6 form. Failure to declare new items results in penalties plus duties and taxes.

Prohibited & Restricted Items

Importing a Used Personal Vehicle

Required Documents

• Original signed T2L (page 4) or electronic T2L, or status C express B/L **From EU countries:**
• Original vehicle registration from the previous EU member state **From EU countries:**
• Valid driving license **From EU countries:**
• European or Cyprus insurance cover **From EU countries:**
• Owner must attend Limassol customs in person **From EU countries:**
• Purchase invoice (required if the original registration is not in the owner's name) **From EU countries:**
• CO2 emission certificate from the Road Transport Department in Cyprus **From EU countries:**
• Certificate of Conformity (required for brand-new cars and motorbikes) **From EU countries:**
• Original vehicle registration **From non-EU countries:**
• Valid driving license **From non-EU countries:**
• European or Cyprus insurance cover **From non-EU countries:**
• Owner must attend Limassol customs in person **From non-EU countries:**
• Certificate of Conformity **From non-EU countries:**
• Purchase invoice (required if the client will pay duties and taxes) **From non-EU countries:**
• CO2 emission certificate from the Road Transport Department in Cyprus **From non-EU countries:**
• For diplomats: exemption certificate (diplomatic franchise) and Note Verbale from the local embassy **From non-EU countries:**

Specific Information

From EU member states (as of March 2019): No excise duty or VAT is applicable provided the vehicle is at least 6 months old and has been registered for at least 6 months at origin and driven for at least 6,000 km prior to importation. The vehicle does not need to have been owned by the importer for 6 months, but it must have been registered for at least 6 months. There is no limit on the number of cars or motorbikes the importer brings, provided it is within reason and for personal use only. There is currently no limit on the age of the vehicle.

From non-EU countries: The vehicle must have been owned by the importer and used at origin for at least 6 months and driven for at least 6,000 km. The importer must have lived abroad for a continuous period of 12 months and must prove relocation to Cyprus permanently. One vehicle per family member is allowed duty-free. The vehicle must be imported within 6 months of the transfer of primary residence to Cyprus. If eligible, import duty is waived but VAT (currently 19% on CIF value assessed by customs) must be paid per the IAM guide; the FIDI guide (2020) states duty is 10% on CIF value plus VAT at 19%. Confirm current rates with the destination agent.

Vehicle over 5 years old (non-EU, not eligible for relief): If the owner is not eligible to import the vehicle as part of a transfer of residence and the vehicle is over 5 years old, customs will not allow importation. The vehicle must be exported or placed in a bonded warehouse. The owner cannot register it locally.

Vehicle under 5 years old (non-EU, not eligible for relief): Can be imported with payment of duties and taxes.

Temporary importation: Upon arrival, the vehicle is initially released under a temporary importation license (form C104). Extensions may be granted if application is made before the expiration date.

Motorbikes (non-EU): Under 599cc (IAM guide) or under 499cc (FIDI guide, possibly updated threshold), free of excise tax. Over 599cc, same regulations as cars apply. If the owner does not meet all criteria, duties of approximately 6-8% plus VAT apply. Confirm current thresholds with the destination agent.

Bill of lading requirements: Must include make and model, chassis number, and engine number. The B/L and T2L must have matching weight and piece counts.

Vehicle customs clearance location: All vehicle customs clearance is conducted at Limassol customs. The owner must attend in person.

Vehicle registration in Cyprus: After customs clearance, the vehicle must be registered through the Road Transport Department. A CO2 emission certificate is required.

Driving: Driving is on the LEFT-hand side of the road.

Pets

• EU Pet Passport issued by an authorized veterinarian in the origin EU country **From EU member states:**
• ISO 11784/11785 compliant microchip (implanted before rabies vaccination) **From EU member states:**
• Current rabies vaccination (administered after microchip; pet must be at least 12 weeks old) **From EU member states:**
• ISO 11784/11785 compliant microchip **From non-EU listed countries (including USA, Canada, Australia, etc.):**
• Current rabies vaccination (primary vaccination: at least 21 days before travel; booster: no waiting period if continuous coverage is documented) **From non-EU listed countries (including USA, Canada, Australia, etc.):**
• EU Health Certificate issued by a USDA-accredited veterinarian (for U.S. origin) and endorsed by USDA APHIS within 10 days of travel **From non-EU listed countries (including USA, Canada, Australia, etc.):**
• Cyprus requires a bilingual version of the EU health certificate; request from LAIE@usda.gov **From non-EU listed countries (including USA, Canada, Australia, etc.):**
• All of the above, plus **From non-EU unlisted countries:**
• Rabies antibody titer test (serology) at an EU-approved laboratory; result must be ≥ 0.5 IU/ml; pet cannot travel until at least 3 months after the blood sample date **From non-EU unlisted countries:**

Microchip before vaccination rule: The microchip must be implanted before the rabies vaccination is administered. The veterinarian must scan the microchip before giving the vaccination. If the vaccination was given before the microchip, or without scanning the microchip first, the vaccination does not count under EU rules.

Primary vs. booster vaccination (EU rules): The first rabies vaccination after microchip implantation, or after any lapse in coverage, is considered a "primary" vaccination and is only valid for 1 year under EU rules, even if the pet receives a 3-year vaccine. A booster must be given within 12 months. If coverage lapses by even one day, the next vaccination is again treated as primary.

Minimum age: Pets must be at least 12 weeks old for rabies vaccination. After a primary vaccination, there is a 21-day waiting period before the pet can enter Cyprus.

Tattoo identification: Accepted as an alternative to microchip only if the tattoo was applied before July 3, 2011 and is clearly legible, and all rabies vaccinations after the tattoo were kept current.

No import permit required: Per PetTravel.com, pet owners do not need an import permit when entering Cyprus with a dog, cat, or ferret. Unaccompanied pets may need an import permit; confirm with the destination agent.

No banned breeds: Cyprus does not publish a list of banned dog breeds. Pet owners are responsible for their pet's behavior.

Quarantine: Pets that do not meet EU requirements may be refused entry or quarantined at the owner's expense.

CDC rabies status: Cyprus is NOT on the U.S. CDC's list of high-risk countries for dog rabies.

Common mistakes: Vaccinating before microchip implantation (invalidates the vaccination under EU rules). Allowing rabies coverage to lapse, requiring the process to restart with a 21-day wait. Shipping appliances with the pet's bedding that lack CE markings. Not requesting the bilingual EU health certificate for Cyprus.