Íæż½ã½ã

Perhaps the goods may be being routed via Northern Cyprus?

Try going to a different post office? I have noticed that some government workers aren't always consistent in their advice.

We have had to do same it's no biggy ... Just fill.it.in online and take the reference number that's all they need to be able to.accept it and send

@Toon

I understand it is no biggy. However, Cyprus is in the EU, and it was my understanding that sending goods from an EU state to another EU state should be customs and tariff-free. So, why is a customs declaration needed when using the Cyprus post? When items are sent to me from Germany, there is no customs declaration

Is my understanding wrong?

@MacGeorge8035

A customs declaration should not typically be required when sending items from Cyprus to another EU country, because Cyprus is a member of the European Union and part of the EU Customs Union. Within this union, goods can generally move freely without customs declarations, duties, or routine checks.

However, there are a few exceptions or reasons why a customs declaration might still be required in some specific cases:

✅ Possible Reasons a Customs Declaration Is Required

Special Goods: If the item you're sending is:

Excise goods (alcohol, tobacco, fuel)

Controlled or restricted items (e.g., weapons, pharmaceuticals, cultural artifacts)

Dangerous goods

then customs or special documentation may still be required, even within the EU.

Dual-use or high-value items: Items that could have both civilian and military use (dual-use), or high-value goods that require tracking for VAT and tax purposes.

Incorrect classification by the courier or postal service: Sometimes, the courier or post office may mistakenly treat an intra-EU shipment as international and ask for a declaration unnecessarily.

Cyprus' unique situation with Northern Cyprus:

The Republic of Cyprus is in the EU, but the northern part (the self-declared Turkish Republic of Northern Cyprus) is not under EU control, and EU law is suspended there.

If goods are moving to/from that region, customs controls may apply.

New EU VAT rules: As of July 2021, new EU VAT e-commerce rules came into effect, but they mainly impact goods coming into the EU from outside, not between EU countries. However, some VAT or tracking systems (like IOSS) may require data that feels like a customs declaration.

✅ What You Can Do

Check the courier’s classification: Make sure your shipment is marked clearly as an intra-EU delivery.

Verify item restrictions: If your parcel includes any special or restricted goods, ensure proper paperwork is included.

Ask the postal service: Sometimes local branches apply broader rules than necessary — clarify the need with your post office or courier directly.

@Toon

So sending a Backgammon set should not require a customs declaration. I sometimes wonder if some of the Cyprus institutions remember they are in the EU.

@Toon
So sending a Backgammon set should not require a customs declaration. I sometimes wonder if some of the Cyprus institutions remember they are in the EU. - @MacGeorge8035

It happens everywhere, some staff literally take it to far, they don't know or unsure the rules so will just go ABIT further. Some are bloody minded and others go on autopilot. They could have had a heap parcels before you that were being sent out of the EU.

Next time, ask them why, and say it's going to Germany. Be nice about it, and explain that you don't really want to go back home if you don't need to.

The rules for sending parcels between EU countries are generally quite straightforward due to the principle of free movement of goods within the EU's single market. This means that for most goods, you do not need a customs declaration or to pay customs duties and taxes when sending a parcel directly between two EU member states.

However, there are some important exceptions and points to keep in mind:  a Customs Declaration (or similar) MIGHT be needed:

* Excise Goods: If you are sending certain excise goods like alcohol, tobacco products, or coffee, special rules and duties may apply, even within the EU.

The core principle is that goods in "free circulation" within the EU can move between member states without customs controls.

* Carrier Requirements: National postal service, DHL, FedEx, UPS will have their own specific booking forms and processes. For most intra-EU parcels, they will simply require the sender and recipient details, and a description of the contents for their internal tracking and safety purposes, which is not for *customs clearance.*

@MacGeorge8035

No I didn't say that .maybe you should have asked at the post office counter why? And challenged it.. maybe you did and got the Cyprus shrug .. maybe it's that post office protocol ...... after all   they  don't know what's in the package  and sometimes people tell lies . The customs declaration doesn't need to be printed..well.my post office doesnt anyway...Sometimes it's just easier to do it and let it go.

.i will fill it in anyway before I go and get the number as that's all they need

it could just simply be the officer at the counter was having bad day or maybe as others have said 

In my experience lack of training and full knowledge of customs and excuse explains a lot

@Toon

The same thing happened with stamping of passports......

@SimCityAT

It happens with everything really  ..sometimes you get lucky and aren't subject to the extra inconveniences

@Toon

I did challenge it and was told that those are the rules. The lady on the counter directed me to a Cyprus Post website that said all parcels whether they are going to the EU or not require a customs declaration. Clearly Cyprus post don’t even know the rules. 😡

This is the sort of thing that is now becoming an irritant. I know it is easier to just do it and let things go, and I do mostly. But……, sometimes just sometimes I get exasperated by it all.

I understand that but it is their rules...probably in order to protect the post office

I needed to return my daughters jacket which she had forgotten to take to the UK.

I got the usual run around that I needed to go online and complete whatever?  when I visited the Post Office.

As they would have closed for the day before I could have returned. I went instead to ACS. The parcel was accepted without question and was received within 48 hours.

I understand that but it is their rules...probably in order to protect the post office - @Toon

Probably easier to have 1 rule for everythng

@SimCityAT I thought there was one set of rules, those of the EU customs union

@SimCityAT I thought there was one set of rules, those of the EU customs union - @MacGeorge8035

Theoretically there should be, but as Toon says, they can set their own rules.....

Now if they wanted to charge you, then that would be definitely breaking the EU rules.

It might be the same principle as the visitor declaration when travelling to the USA. One of the questions is "are you a terrorist or member of a terrorist organisation". If you answer No and you are it is easier to prosecute as you knowingly made a false declaration !

It might be the same principle as the visitor declaration when travelling to the USA. One of the questions is "are you a terrorist or member of a terrorist organisation". If you answer No and you are it is easier to prosecute as you knowingly made a false declaration ! - @phildraper

That makes no sense at all. They have the address where its going, so if its in the EU, there is no need for the form.