1164 Views How Does Brexit Affect Custom Clearance Procedures
Brexit has affected custom clearance procedures, impacting everyone who trades overseas. Find updated information and what action you may need to take.
Brexit has had a major impact people, businesses and corporations transporting goods from and to the UK. All movables arriving at the port of Limassol from the UK are now considered non-EU goods, imposing certain requirements and actions to the shippers and agents involved.
This article explains how things have changed regarding custom clearance procedures for shippers and agents.
Importing from the UK – What Has Changed for the Client/Shipper
The client is required to be present at the Limassol Customs Office with the documents mentioned below. These documents prove that the shipper has moved his/her residence to Cyprus.
Note that Customs takes into consideration the date of the client’s move to Cyprus when it comes to duties. If, for example, the client has moved to Cyprus in February 2021, they have 6 months to move their belongings duty-free from the UK under their name. After the lapse of 6 months, customs duties will be imposed.
Please note the following: at this stage, the destination agent does not represent nor act on behalf of the customs authorities. Our role can only be advisory and, thus, it is entirely up to the customs authorities to decide whether or not a document will be accepted as valid “evidence.”
There are two sets of documents that are mandatory for the shipper: documents associated with the place of origin, and those associated with the destination.
Documents associated with the place of origin:
- Disposal of property abroad. In case the client was under a rental agreement, then the agreement must prove the period of the lease.
- Utility bills, e. telephone/electricity/water supply bills.
- Bank account/statement abroad, proving that the account is closed.
- Termination of employment.
- School certificates of attendance, proving that the parents have terminated the registration abroad.
Documents associated with the destination:
- Acquisition of a house (rent or purchase agreement).
- Utility bills, e.g. telephone/electricity/water supply bills.
- Attendance of children (if any) at school (along with the school termination from abroad).
- Employment in Cyprus.
Please bear in mind the following:
- All items owned and used for less than 6 months are considered “new” and are
- The shipper must declare any new items to Customs during clearance; otherwise, penalties, duties and taxes will be applied.
- Appliances of any sort without CE marking may be confiscated.
In addition to these documents, the shipper must also be prepared to present their passport, one-way flight ticket and packing list. All the documents mentioned above must be issued under the shipper’s name.
Car Customs Clearance
Please note that the following guidelines and information apply only to shippers that move their residency from the UK to Cyprus. They are eligible to claim duty-free transportation of one vehicle under their name.
Car customs clearance requires the presentation of the following documents:
- Passport
- Original car registration document.
- Driving license.
- Local/EU road insurance.
Please note the following requirements:
- The Registration plates need to be on the v
- The car should be already owned and used by the shipper for more than 6 months.
- The mileage should be more than 6,000km.
If one or more of these requirements are not met, excise Duties and VAT will apply.
Regarding excise duties:
- Excise duties 10% plus VAT 19% apply for new cars as well, based on the car’s value and freight cost. “New” cars include any car less than 6 months old or used by the client.
The car will be released to you as a “visitor” and the customs officer will give you a temporary importations license (C104 form). Car registration in Cyprus is the responsibility of the owner. Hence, Columbia Worldwide Movers will NOT accept any responsibility for this procedure.
Importing from the UK – What Has Changed for the Agent
Things are much simpler from now on for the agent undertaking the loading and transportation of goods directly to Cyprus.
- Original Τ2L is abolished since it is not yet a requirement. Therefore, the courier charge is abolished as well.
- The agent must be able to present the Bill of Lading, passport, and the Packing List only.
- There is no risk of mistakes due to discrepancies between the T2L and Bill of Lading Hence, there is no chance of additional port storage expenses.
Exporting from Cyprus to England – Changes for the Client-Shipper
The only thing that has changed for client-shippers that wish to export goods from Cyprus to the UK is the following: the client must visit Cyprus customs offices and sign the “Authority to agent” form (1002) in the presence of a customs officer, thus enabling the agent to proceed with their export to a NON-EU country.
For more information or clarifications, please do not hesitate to contact us.