Visa to Cyprus

The customs rules of Cyprus are arranged according to pan-European principles with similar prohibitions and Duty-Free regulations. The principle of the green and red corridor works. If you have something to declare, go through the green corridor, if not – through the green. But keep in mind that there are differences in customs rules depending on whether you arrive from the EU or from other countries.

What is prohibited to import into Cyprus

Since Cyprus is part of the European Union, there are general rules. The list of prohibited imports without special permission is quite extensive, we have chosen only what can directly affect tourists:

• Counterfeit, counterfeit items;
• counterfeit banknotes;
• animals and animal products. The ban includes sausages, milk, cheese, canned food, except for baby food. ;
• flowers and living plants;
• handcuffs;
• honey and other bee products.

The full list can be found on the official website - https://www.mof.gov.cy/mof/customs/

What is forbidden to export from Cyprus

The list of prohibited for export includes everything that is prohibited for import (the list above), as well as additionally:

• Antiques;
• weapons, ammunition, explosives;
• wild animals and plants;

What can be imported to Cyprus without paying duties

Tobacco products and alcohol are allowed only to persons over 17 years of age. Restrictions apply, among other things, to goods purchased in duty-free stores.

• When arriving from EU countries, if the goods are purchased in the EU

  • 800 cigarettes, or 400 cigarillos, or 200 cigars, or 1000 grams of smoking tobacco.
  • Alcohol with a strength of more than 22 percent – 10 liters, or fortified wine, champagne and aperitifs with no stronger than 22 percent – 20 liters, and additionally other wines – 90 liters and beer – 110 liters.

• When arriving from non-EU countries

  • 200 cigarettes, or 100 cigarillos, or 50 cigars, or 250 grams of smoking tobacco.
  • Alcohol with a strength of more than 22 percent – 1 liter, or fortified wine, champagne and aperitifs with no stronger than 22 percent – 2 liters, and additionally other wines – 4 liters and beer – 16 liters.
  • Items for personal use cost no more than 430 euros per adult, and 150 euros for children under 15 years.

Import and export of currency, jewelry

The amounts of cash or Traveller's cheques imported and exported are unlimited. But when entering from non-EU countries, cash in any currency, traveler's checks, bonds and shares in the equivalent of more than 10 thousand euros must be declared.

Also in the declaration it is necessary to indicate gold and other jewelry. If you do not specify expensive jewelry at the entrance, there may be questions about their origin at the exit.

Vat Refund system

The tax refund system for purchases or V. A. T. Refund, or as it is sometimes called Tax Free, allows tourists to return part of the cost paid for goods. This is especially true if you buy expensive things. In Cyprus, the amount of tax in the value of goods returned to tourists is 19% (in 2021).

In general, the tax refund scheme looks something like this: you buy things in Cyprus in certain stores, collect checks and specially filled out forms there, and then when you leave the country, go to the counter at the airport, where they will check the documents and things themselves, and make a tax refund from the amount of all purchases on checks to a bank card or cash.

For more information about tax refunds for tourists in Cyprus, see.