Container Shipping Schedule & Transit Times to Cyprus

Restricted and Prohibited Items for Container Shipping to Cyprus

When shipping personal effects to Cyprus via container, understanding the customs regulations and specifically, the list of prohibited and restricted items, is crucial. It might be surprising to learn, for example, that importation of goods from countries under a United Nations Security Council and European Union embargo is forbidden. While most of your items should clear Cypriot customs without any issues, it's always advisable to verify in advance. A reputable moving/shipping company will be able to offer guidance & advice based on your inventory list.

Prohibited Items

The following table lists items that are absolutely forbidden for shipping to Cyprus:

• Narcotic drugs, psychotropic substances and other controlled pharmaceuticals
• Obscene items, such as videocassettes, DVD’s, films, books, magazines etc.
• Flick and double-edged knives
• Counterfeit and pirated goods
• Weapons of mass destruction, such as nuclear, chemical, toxic, biological weapons and similar substances
• Goods used for illegal hunting of game
• Counterfeit bank notes
• Certain firearms and weapons as specified by the Cypriot law
• Goods or materials that do not comply with specific Cyprus standards
• Goods shipped or originating from countries under an embargo from the UN Security Council and the European Union
• Unlicensed lottery tickets
• Gambling machines, such as poker machines
• Automatic tobacco vending machines
• Imitation foodstuff consumer goods
• Non-commercial distance purchase of firearms, non-firearms, and their parts, as well as ammunition

Restricted Items

Items in the following table are subject to restrictions and may require additional documentation to clear customs:

• Air-rifles of a diameter not exceeding 1.77 inches or 4.5 mm
• Animals and animal products
• Cinematograph films
• Explosives, cartridges for hunting guns, fireworks and similar goods
• Flowers and plants
• Goods included in the “Imports Regulation (Control and Regulation) Order of 1995
• Goods of precious metals intended for the Cyprus market
• Hand-cuffs
• Honey and other bumble bee products
• Hunting guns with a maximum of two cartridges per loading
• Meat, fish, and cheese
• Precursor chemicals
• Sporting archers and their accessories
• Sporting pistols
• Telecommunications equipment compatible with Cyprus Telecommunications Authority (Cyta) infrastructure
• Telecommunications wireless equipment, including ground satellite stations of the VSAT type
• Wildlife and products thereof endangered by extinction (Washington Convention - CITES)

We recommend preparing an inventory list of all your belongings for a smoother shipping process from the UK to Cyprus. This will help ensure that all your items meet Cyprus shipping regulations.

Once the packing list is prepared, you must declare everything that you plan to bring. This can be done ahead of time by completing declaration forms for Cypriot customs, which we can assist with.

Certain items might be subjected to duty or taxes in Cyprus. Visit the Cypriot Customs & Excise Department for a complete list and detailed information.

At 1st Move International, we are committed to making your international move as easy as possible and we're here to assist with all of the paperwork and customs formalities associated with shipping personl effects to Cyprus via container. For further information on our customs clearance procedures or for a moving quote, please get in touch with us or complete the quick quote form on this page.