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Information for Business and Trade - Prohibitions and restrictions - Restrictions on importation
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Prohibitions and restrictions - Restrictions on importation

1. Introductory
According to the law, the importation and exportation of certain goods is prohibited or restricted. Restrictions usually refer to the need for securing the authority or inspection from the appropriate Government Department. The aim of prohibitions and restrictions is the protection of society and the perpetuation of a safe environment. More specifically, such prohibitions and restrictions are essential for the safeguard of social ethics, order and security, protection of public health or the health of animals or the protection of plant-life, the protection of industrial and commercial property, archaeological treasures, cultural artefacts and others. The following are lists of prohibitions and restrictions, which passengers may carry with them. Be it noted that the lists are not exhaustive.
For further information, interested people are advised to contact Customs Headquarters (tel. no. 22601679 & 22601652, fax no. 22602769) or the competent authorities or services.

2. Restrictions on importation
Description of goods
Conditions for importation
Agricultural pharmaceuticals and wood preservatives (including household insecticides)Certificate of Importation of Agricultural Pharmaceuticals (Form 304), authenticated by the Department of Agriculture
Agricultural products
  • Licence from the Department of Agriculture
  • Phytosanitary certificate from the country of origin
  • Inspection by the Department of Agriculture
Air-rifles of a diameter not exceeding .177 inches or 4.5 mm Permit from the Police
Animals, animal products, biological products and animal feeding stuff and additives
  • Import licence from the Veterinary Services Department
  • Veterinary certificate from the country of origin
  • Inspection by the Veterinary and other Services
  • In addition, for animal feeding stuff the approval of importation from the Feeding Stuff and Feed Additives Council (Ministry of Agriculture) is required
Animals live (Pet Αnimals) (Dogs, cats, ferrets)
Non commercial

***The maximum number of pet animals which may accompany the owner or an authorized person during a single non-commercial movement shall not exceed five.

  • Electronic microchip or a clearly readable tattoo (is accepted only if it has been applied before 3rd July 2011),
  • Health Certificate or third country passport from third countries (they have adopted the passport model used in the EU),
  • The animal should have been vaccinated against Rabies virus, at the age of not less than 12 weeks old, with an inactivated Rabies strain according to OIE standards. The vaccination should have taken place at least three weeks prior departure for arriving in Cyprus. The rabies antiboby titration test must be performed in a laboratory approved by the EU,
Competent authority: Veterinary Services
Animals live (turtles of the species Sternotherus Odoratus)- Completion of the following Veterinary Services’ forms of the Republic of Cyprus and their submission to the Veterinary Services:
  • Form “A” (Application for obtaining a license for importing animals in Cyprus),
  • Form “Q” (Application for obtaining approval of quarantine facilities for non-commercial importation of animals in Cyprus).

- Presentation of a health certificate for the turtles duly signed by an authorized veterinarian of the country of origin,

- Inspection of the premises where the turtles will reside by the Veterinary Services.

Competent authority: Veterinary Services

Note: The above requirements shall apply in cases of intra-Community transfer of turtles for personal use. Note that before the arrival of turtles in Cyprus, the owner must inform the Veterinary Services and pass from the "red" channel in order to declare them to the customs authorities of Cyprus upon arrival.

Animal remains (non wastes)
  • Inspection by the Veterinary Services,
  • Production of a Veterinary Certificate,
  • A Certificate (permit) by the Department of Environment (if CITES Convention is applied) to be produced.

Note: Applicable only when processed animal skins or leathers and embalmed animals or embalmed animals’ body parts are imported.

Competent authorities: Veterinary Services and The Department of Environment
Botulism toxin (botox) -(Medicinal product)Marketing (trading) authorization from the Council of Medicines under the Medicinal Products for Human Use (Control of Quality, Supply and Prices) Law of 2001 (no.70(I)/2001).

Competent authority: Pharmaceutical Services

Breeding animals and genetic material
  • Import licence from the Department of Veterinary Service
  • Veterinary certificate from the country of origin
  • Inspection by the Veterinary and other Services
  • Approval by the Department of Agriculture
Charcoal
  • The charcoal is considered a chemical substance and its importation is governed by the registration requirements of the European Regulation REACH (Registration, Evaluation and Authorization of Chemicals).
  • From 01.06.2017 and onwards for the importation of charcoal in a quantity exceeding 1 ton per year, a REACH pre-registration or registration number, provided by the European Chemicals Agency (ECHA), is required.

Competent Authority: Department of Labour of Inspection
Cinematograph films Verification whether the film is included in the official list of films, the commercial exploitation by people other than those having exclusive rights is prohibited or whether they violate intellectual property rights
Competent authority: The Ministry of Interior
Consumable goods
  • Shall not endanger the consumer’s health and safety
  • The instructions for safe use and safety warnings to be in one of the official languages of the Republic
  • Appropriate authority: the Competition and Consumers Protection Service of the Ministry of Commerce, Industry and Tourism
In addition:
  • For electrical equipment and for toys the marking with the acronym “CE” and a warning and indications for protective measures for safe use are required in Greek;
  • for soft goods, put in the mouth by babies under the age of 3 years, e.g. teats, nipples, feeding bottles, etc, a certification by the manufacturer that they do not contain phthalates is required
Cosmetics (perfumes e.t.c.)For personal use:

No license or certificate is required.

For commercial use:

The importer has to:

  • Notify in writing the Pharmaceutical Services about his/ her operations.
  • Keep a complete file with records for the cosmetics that he/ she imports with the address indicated on the products’ label.
  • Disclose all cosmetic products that he/ she is importing through the electronic platform CNCP.
  • Comply with the provisions of labeling.
  • Comply in general with the provisions of the Regulation (ΕU) no.1223/2009, as being the entity in charge.
Disinfectants and preservatives of household use
  • Authentication of the invoice by the Department of Pharmaceutical Services
  • Import licence for the Ministry of Commerce, Industry and Tourism
Energy products (drinks)
  • Must comply with the provisions of Regulation (EC) no. 178/2002,
  • Inspection by an officer of the Health Services for labeling (a sample of labeling must be presented) of the product in Greek according to the provisions of Regulation (EC) no. 1169/2011 (for food labeling) must be carried out,
  • Sampling may be carried out by the Health Services during inspection, for analysis at the State Laboratory.
Competent authority: Health Services
Explosives, cartridges for hunting guns, fireworks and similar goods
  • Import licence from the Mines Service
  • In addition, for the explosives, fireworks and similar goods, an examination by the Mines Service is required and in case of removal of the goods for physical examination, a special permit from this Service
Fertilisers Licence from the Fertilisers Control Board
Flowers and beautifying plants, wood and others
  • Licence from the Department of Agriculture
  • Phytosanitary certificate from the country of origin
  • Inspection by the Department of Agriculture
Foodstuffs, packed or not
  • Health certificate from the country of origin
  • Inspection by the Health and other Services according to the product
Gas cylinders (including gas valves)Authorisation by the Electrical and Mechanical Services
Goods included in the “Imports Regulation (Control and Regulation) Order of 1995 Import licence from the Ministry of Commerce, Industry and Tourism
Goods of precious metals (destined for the Cyprus market)Checking and marking by the Cyprus Assay Office
Hand-cuffs Permit from the Police
Hazardous wastes (according the Basel Convention)
  • Import licence from the Environment Service
  • Inspection by the Environment Service
Honey and other bumble bee products (wax, royal jelly etc)
  • Licence from the Veterinary Services and other relevant Government Services
  • Veterinary certificate from the country of origin
  • Inspection by the Veterinary and other Services
Human remains (ashes)
  • Production of cremation and death certificates,
  • Inspection by the Health Services.
  • Must be properly sealed in a wooden or metallic box.

Competent authority: Health Services
Hunting guns (including those of the flobert type) which take a maximum of two cartridges in one loadingPermit from the Police
Iron and Steel products

  • Import licence (surveillance document) issued by competent (Ministry of Energy, Commerce, Industry and Tourism) according to Reg. (EE) 2016/670 for the importation (release for free circulation) in the Union of certain iron and steel products listed in the Annex I to this Regulation
It is noted that products originating in Norway, Iceland and Liechtenstein should be excluded from the application of this Regulation. Also imports whose net weight does not exceeds 2.500 kg are excluded from the application of this Regulation.

This Regulation shall apply until 15th May 2020.

Competent authority: Ministry of Energy, Commerce, Industry and Tourism

Live fish or live fish eggsPermit from the Director of the Fisheries Department
Meat, fish and cheese
  • Licence from the Veterinary Services Department
  • Certificate of suitability for human consumption
  • Inspection by the Veterinary and Health Services
Medicines for human consumption
  • A marketing licence from the Council of Drugs for Human Consumption
  • Stamping of the invoice by the Department of Pharmaceutical Services
Pharmaceutical substances (raw materials) or premixes of pharmaceutical animal feeding stuff
  • Authorisation by the Veterinary Medicines Board
  • Licence from the Department of Veterinary Services
Postage franking machines Authorisation by the Postal Services Department
Potato seeds
  • Licence from the Department of Agriculture
  • Licence from the Cyprus Potato Marketing Board
  • Phytosanitary certificate from the country of origin
  • Inspection by the Department of Agriculture
Precursor chemicals
  • Authentication of the invoice by the Department of Pharmaceutical Services
  • Import licence from the Ministry of Commerce, Industry and Tourism when provided by P.I. 327/1995
Protective helmets for use by motorcyclists Authorisation by the Electrical and Mechanical Services
Safety belts for motor vehicles Authorisation by the Electrical and Mechanical Services
Specially designed guns for the humane killing of animals in slaughterhousesPermit from the Police
Sporting archers and accessories their ofPermit from the Police
Sporting pistolsPermit from the Police
Tanks for installations of odourless gas Certificate of propriety from the Electrical and Mechanical Services Department
Telecommunications equipment which can be connected to the telecommunications installation of the Cyprus Telecommunications Authority (Cyta), e.g. telephones, cables, etc. Licence from the Cyprus Telecommunications Authority
Telecommunications wireless equipment, including ground satellite stations of the VSAT type
The wireless receivers, mobile radiotelephones and pagers are excluded
  • A licence from the Director of Communications, Ministry of Communications and Works
  • Licence from the Cyprus Telecommunications Authority (Cyta)
  • For the wireless receivers, mobile radiotelephones and pagers only the licence from the Cyprus Telecommunications Authority is required
Tobacco products, e.g. cigarettes, cigars, etc., for local consumption
  • One of the following general warnings on the packing unit of the tobacco product and on every external packing, other that the transparent film, which is used for the retail sale of the tobacco product: (i) "Smoking kills" "Tutun icmek uldurur” or (ii) “Smoking is seriously harmful for you and the people around you” “Tutun icmek size ve cevrenizdekilere ciddi zararlar verir”.
  • In addition one of the supplementary warnings mentioned in the Third Schedule of the P.I. 151/2004.
  • Marking of cigarettes produced or sold for their content in tar, nicotine and carbon monoxide in the Greek and Turkish languages
Veterinary medicines
  • Licence from the Veterinary Medicines Board
  • Stamping of invoice by the Department of Veterinary Services
Water -Natural Mineral Water (ΝΜW)– bottled.
  • Sampling carried out by the Health Services and analysis of water from the General State Laboratory,
  • Check carried out by the Health Services for the appropriate marking of water under the Natural Mineral Water (NMW) national Regulations and the Community Regulation (EC) no. 1169/2011,
  • Check (requirement) carried out by the Health Services whether water is included in the list of recognized NMW’s, issued by the EU.
Weights and measuresLicence from the Controller of Weights and Measures, Ministry of Commerce, Industry and Tourism
Wild fauna and flora, endangered by extinction and products their of (Washington Convention - CITES), e.g. animals, birds, fowls, lizards, cactus, hides, ivory, etc)
  • Import licence from the Environment Service
  • Export licence, issued by the competent authority of the exporting country
  • Inspection by the Environment Service
Wood pelletsΝot subject to phytosanitary inspection by the competent authority (Department of Agriculture)
Description of goods
Conditions for importation
Personal consignments of products of animal originCommission Regulation (EC) No. 206/2009 is applicable
1)Small quantities of meat and milk and their products (other than powdered infant milk, infant food, and special foods or special pet feed required for medical reasons)You may only bring in or send to the EU personal consignments of meat and milk and their products (other than powdered infant milk, infant food, and special foods or special pet feed required for medical reasons) provided that they come from Croatia, the Faeroe Islands, Greenland, or Iceland, and their weight does not exceed 10 kg per person.
2)Powdered infant milk, infant food, and special foods required for medical reasonsYou may only bring in or send to the EU personal consignments of powdered infant milk, infant food, and special foods required for medical reasons provided that:
— they come from Croatia, the Faeroe Islands, Greenland, or Iceland, and their combined quantity does not exceed
the weight limit of 10 kg per person, and that:
— the product does not require refrigeration before consumption,
— it is a packaged proprietary brand product, and
— the packaging is unbroken unless in current use
— they come from other countries (other than Croatia, the Faeroe Islands, Greenland, or Iceland), and their combined quantity does not exceed the weight limit of 2 kg per person, and that:
— the product does not require refrigeration before consumption,
— it is a packaged proprietary brand product, and
— the packaging is unbroken unless in current use.
3)Pet feed required for medical reasonsYou may only bring in or send to the EU personal consignments of pet feed required for medical reasons provided that:
— they come from Croatia, the Faeroe Islands, Greenland, or Iceland, and their combined quantity does not exceed
the weight limit of 10 kg per person, and that:
— the product does not require refrigeration before consumption,
— it is a packaged proprietary brand product, and
— the packaging is unbroken unless in current use
24.3.2009 EN Official Journal of the European Union L 77/11
— they come from other countries (other than Croatia, the Faeroe Islands, Greenland, or Iceland), and their combined
quantity does not exceed the weight limit of 2 kg per person, and that:
— the product does not require refrigeration before consumption,
— it is a packaged proprietary brand product, and
— the packaging is unbroken unless in current use
4)Small quantities of fishery products for personal human consumptionYou may only bring in or send to the EU personal consignments of fishery products (including fresh, dried, cooked,cured or smoked fish, and certain shellfish, such as prawns, lobsters, dead mussels and dead oysters) provided that:

— fresh fish are eviscerated,
— the weight of the fishery products does not exceed, per person, 20 kg or the weight of one fish, whichever weight is the highest.
These restrictions do not apply to fishery products coming from the Faeroe Islands or Iceland.
5)Small quantities of other animal products for personal human consumptionYou may only bring in or send to the EU other animal products, such as honey, live oysters, live mussels and snails for example, provided that:
— they come from Croatia, the Faeroe Islands, Greenland, or Iceland, and that their combined weight does not exceed 10 kg per person,
— they come from other countries (other than Croatia, the Faeroe Islands, Greenland, or Iceland) and their combined weight does not exceed 2 kg per person.
Please note that you may bring in small quantities of animal products from several of the above categories provided that they comply with the rules.
6)Larger quantities of animal productsYou may only bring in or send to the EU larger quantities of animal products if they meet the requirements for commercial consignments, which include:
— certification requirements, as laid down in the appropriate official EC veterinary certificate,
— the presentation of the goods, with the correct documentation, to an authorised EU border inspection post for veterinary control, on arrival in the EU.
7)Exempted animal productsThe following products are exempted from the rules explained previously:
— bread, cakes, biscuits, chocolate and confectionery (including sweets) not mixed or filled with meat product,
— food supplements packaged for the final consumer,
— meat extracts and meat concentrates,
— olives stuffed with fish,
— pasta and noodles not mixed or filled with meat product,
— soup stocks and flavourings packaged for the final consumer,
— any other food product not containing any fresh or processed meat or dairy and with less than 50 % of processed egg or fishery products.
8)Animal products from protected speciesFor certain protected species there may be additional restrictions in place. For example for caviar of sturgeon species, the weight limit is a maximum of 125 g per person.



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