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Update on customs procedure for inbound items

29/09/2021

We inform the public the following:

  1. Items are received from the Netherlands, the contents of which originate from countries outside the European Union and are therefore subject to customs control. The majority of the items are not accompanied by an electronic customs declaration (ITMATT), nor by the printed customs declaration CN22 / 23, as it should be. Therefore, their management is problematic, time consuming and inevitably there are long delays in further management.
  2. Items from Uzbekistan and Vanuatu are received without an electronic customs declaration (ITMATT) and with problematic labels, which make their management extremely difficult and time consuming and inevitably lead to long delays in further management.
  3. All items that originate from outside the European Union (EU) or EU countries with contents from third countries, are subject to customs control. In cases where the sending countries, despite the obligation to submit an electronic customs declaration (ITMATT), do not do so, we are forced to create this in Cyprus, for each item. This, as it is clearly understood, creates very long delays, for which the Cyprus Post is not responsible. We are taking all necessary steps towards these countries to be compliant with their obligations.
  4. Regarding items for which VAT has been paid upon purchase from an online platform (IOSS program), the confirmation of the IOSS number of the platform is done electronically and under certain conditions. The indication of the IOSS number on the item does not necessarily mean that the recipient is released from the obligation to pay VAT upon receipt of the item.
  5. The Cyprus Post Office CANNOT deliver items if the customs control is not completed beforehand, no matter how long it lasts. Of course, in close cooperation with the Customs Department as well as the other involved departments/services, we make every effort to speed up the whole process.

We assure the public that we make every effort to provide the best possible service to the public.