Importing Cars / Motorbikes into The Republic of Cyprus

Factors to note prior to exporting your car

1. A person when transferring a vehicle to The Republic of Cyprus must have owned the vehicle for 6 months prior to shipment date. The vehicle must have travelled a minimum of 6000miles This does not apply if retiring…. only if Transferring Residency (i.e. to work)
2. Each Person may transfer only one car duty free. The person making the transfer must hold a valid driving Licence and their name must be displayed on the Registration document as the owner (More vehicles can be imported subject to duty)
3. The vehicle must have been acquired under the general conditions of taxation applicable in the Member State from which it is transferred and must not have qualified for any relief from or refund of any VAT (receipt of purchase of the vehicle may be requested)
4. If vehicle is under 6 months old and/or has travelled less than 6000 miles VAT will be charged in Cyprus as if the vehicle is brand new. This will be applicable even if VAT has been paid in the UK
5. If the person importing the vehicle intends to work and apply for Relief of Excise Duties under the Transfer of Residence route the vehicle must be shipped within twelve months of the person arriving in Cyprus.
6. If the person is retiring to Cyprus they can import the vehicle at any time as long as Application for Exemptions are made prior to the vehicle being shipped (although they could import the vehicle at the same time as their possessions and then would be required to apply within 6 months)
7. Vehicle Insurance can be arranged in UK on your existing policy on a temporary basis by arrangement with your Insurance Company but possibly the best way would be to arrange a cover note locally upon your arrival in Cyprus

Procedure for Shipments via Container

At time of export we will require:

• Copy of Passport, Vehicle Registration document and Driving Licence
• These will be scanned and sent to our agent in Limassol
• They will commence clearance in advance prior to arrival of container
• Upon arrival of container in Limassol you will visit Customs accompanied by our agent to complete the clearance formalities taking with you your Passport, Vehicle Registration Document, Driving Licence and Insurance Certificate
• If you have complied with all of the above requirements your vehicle will be cleared and handed over to you by our agent
• Prior to leaving Customs you will be given C104, which gives you temporary import status valid for one month This can be extended by revisiting the Customs office taking with you The Registration Document, Passport and Yellow copy of C104. Fine incurred if not updated
• Yellow form C104 can be extended for up to 6 months in total, by which time you must make an application for exemptions of duties This can be done be either by Transfer of Residency or by Retired Car application
• Once permission has been received for the exemption of duties you will then be required to finalise customs clearance before you can register the vehicle and obtain your Road Tax

To assist you in this procedure it may be desirable to employ the services of a specialist in this field
Fees for this service can be obtained from Gwenny as per contact details below

Gwenny Mary Demetriou Services
Tel 00 357 26 931 262
Email gwenredtape67@cytanet.com.cy

As guide please see below indications of the charges applicable for Tax and Registration
Ministry of Transport

Registration and Road Tax for Road Vehicles Petrol and Diesel driven