Vehicle imports

Importing your vehicle from an EU country

Should you wish to bring your car to Cyprus, you will need to contact your local shipping agency to arrange the transportation of your car and clearance from the port. This process will take anywhere between 12 days to 1 month. The approximate cost for a 'Ro-Ro' (roll on-roll off) service from Southampton to Limassol is GBP 500.00 to 600.00. If you wish, your car can be transported in a container along with your household goods for a little extra.

Once your car arrives at Limassol port in Cyprus, your clearing agent will contact you to arrange a suitable time for them to accompany you to the port, to clear the car with all the relevant documents. These include your passport, driving license, vehicle registration or logbook, a valid tax disc (for at least 6 months), valid insurance (for at least 6 months), the loading list receipt and documents that give proof of your country of normal residence. Your clearing agent will take care of everything while you wait, for a fee of around CYP 200.00 (includes port and clearance charges).

All cars will be inspected for engine and chassis numbers to ensure that no stolen cars have entered Cyprus. Before your car is cleared you will be required to sign a declaration in the presence of a customs officer stating that you have resided outside the Republic of Cyprus for 12 consecutive months prior to your move here and that you intend to become permanently established in Cyprus. In order for Customs and Excise to grant the relief for payment of duty, you will need to have owned and used the vehicle in your place of normal residence for at least 6 months prior to moving to Cyprus.

Each person may transfer only one vehicle, and the person making a transfer must hold a valid driving license. The vehicle may not be sold, placed for sale, hired out or loaned without payment, without the prior approval of the Director of the Department of Customs and Excise.

Once your car has been cleared, the Department of Customs and Excise will issue a C104A form for a temporary period (which can vary) to enable you to then complete the appropriate documents and register your vehicle on Cypriot plates. The maximum temporary period can be extended to 6 months from date of entry. All private motor vehicles and motorcycles of EU citizens intending to become established in Cyprus are subject to excise duties when the engine size exceeds 100 cc. Those retiring to Cyprus, or applying for a permanent residence permit are not required to pay excise duty, provided that the Department of Customs and Excise approves this. In which case, you will be allowed to extend the grace period until all the relevant paperwork is completed. Excise duty is calculated on the cc of your engine and approximate costs for a 1400cc engine are �1,196.02 (CYP 700.00).

After you have paid your excise duty, you should contact the Road Traffic Department for information about the provisions on vehicle registration tax and road tax. These will vary according to your engine size. In order to be registered in Cyprus, a vehicle being transferred by a European citizen must be given a technical inspection (MOT) before undergoing a relevant inspection by a state technical inspection centre. When the vehicle has passed both of the technical inspections it can be registered in accordance with the relevant legislation. Registration costs vary between �0.17-�1.03 (0.1-0.6 cents) per cc depending on the size of your engine.

Below is an example of the approximate costs involved for importing a 4-year-old Volkswagen Polo 1.4:

Shipping costs �854.30 (CYP500.00)
Excise duty �1,196.02 (CYP700.00)
VAT & import duty �0.00 (CYP0.00)
Port charges, customs clearance, etc. �341.72 (CYP200.00)

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TOTAL �2,392.04 (CYP1,400.00)
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Before importing your car to Cyprus it is advisable to contact the Department of Customs and Excise for detailed and up-to-date information.

Useful contacts

Department of Customs and Excise: +357 22 601 657
Road Traffic Department: +357 22 807 117
For more information, the Cyprus Department of Transport can be contacted on: +357 22 807 121

We hope that this information has been useful to you. Please contact Pafilia or your Pafilia representative if you would like more help with VEHICLE IMPORTS. We are delighted to be of assistance.