From 1 November 2026 anyone ordering goods from outside the European Single Market will pay a flat €2 processing charge, Cyprus’ customs department confirmed on Wednesday. The fee—separate from existing VAT and import duties—aims to cover extra workload created by the EU’s new Union Customs Code, which requires detailed risk analysis of every incoming package regardless of value. Spokesman George Constantinou explained that the measure will apply universally, unlike the EU-wide temporary €3 duty introduced in July on ‘low-value’ consignments under €150. Although parcel volumes have fallen 30–35 % since July, the average number of items per package has doubled, forcing customs to invest in x-ray scanners, data-analysis software and additional inspection staff. Officials say the €2 fee will contribute roughly €1–1.5 million a month, 75 % of which will be remitted to Brussels under revenue-sharing rules. For mobile employees and expatriates who rely on cross-border e-commerce to source personal goods not available locally, the surcharge will marginally increase living costs. Corporate relocation teams should update cost-of-living allowances and advise assignees shipping personal effects by courier. Logistics firms, meanwhile, must integrate the fee into landed-cost calculators to avoid delivery delays. The customs department is developing an online portal where importers can pre-pay the charge to speed up clearance. Businesses that receive high volumes of samples or spare parts from Asia and the Americas may apply for simplified procedures, but face periodic compliance audits.
Source: Cyprus Mail
