Anyone have a list of things we are allowed to bring over the border?

TheBlackOlive


Joined: 06/04/2008
Posts: 755

Message Posted:
21/05/2008 07:12

Does anyone have a list of things we are allowed to bring over the border? We were stopped a couple of days ago with a child's slide. It was confiscated and now we are told we have to pay 130% value of the item to get it back. (100% fine and 30% tax). Slides are not considered personal effects - ridiculous or what?



Any good contacts at the customs office?

TimothyCadman


Joined: 13/12/2007
Posts: 1040

Message Posted:
21/05/2008 08:34

It appears that food only is being allowed in again. Large items from IKEA are also being confisicated.

ilovemydogs



Joined: 20/04/2008
Posts: 514

Message Posted:
21/05/2008 09:05

we are flying to larnaca, and have everything in our cases and hand luggage, (except the kitchen sink). bedding, cutlery , lamps, bits and bobs, we are getting a taxi. will we get stopped at the airport and or the border.

sylvie


Joined: 12/03/2008
Posts: 1081

Message Posted:
21/05/2008 09:46

dont get afraid - for over an year we have brought so many items from france for the house we ve never being stopped - it is a local TC taxi who takes us from the airport to girne - and we habe bought a lot from ikea - beginning of may our little suzuky with a lastic cover was full of staff - they couldn't avoid seiing it so ... too bad for the one it happen to - anyway in the airport they dont check you just come out - never been controlled since 4 years -

Lemtich



Joined: 15/02/2007
Posts: 1487

Message Posted:
21/05/2008 10:34

I have practically kitted out my apartment with small electrical stuff via Larnaca coming through Metehan by taxi.



Maybe its different for resident's cars at the customs post than taxis. But lots of them have said they don't get stopped either.



Lem

guinness


Joined: 10/03/2008
Posts: 224

Message Posted:
21/05/2008 11:06

It may help, but if you have the 'right' driver you can get across the border with little hassle.



My man has a nice new mercedes limo and moves a lot of diplomats and bigwigs when not dealing with us hoi polloi ;o). He regularly travels across the border to Larnaca and back again to TRNC.



So he seems to glide through the border, being a TC based in Lefkosa who is fluent in Greek he seems to know how to make things go smoothly. Price is right too.



Yunus is on +90 542 851 18 90



cheers

guin

ilovemydogs



Joined: 20/04/2008
Posts: 514

Message Posted:
21/05/2008 12:25

thanks that has helped , but i think i might wait untill october to make my decission about the ikea trip

TimothyCadman


Joined: 13/12/2007
Posts: 1040

Message Posted:
21/05/2008 13:31

I should have made my post a little clearer, sorry.



If you are a tourist flying into Larnaca with suitcases laden with personal goods then being stopped is highly unlikely.



Local residents with boots and hatchbacks stuffed with obvious new things, from Homecentre or IKEA, are likely to be interrogated and find their goods confiscated. Food doesn't seem to much of an issue, at the moment.....

cyprusishome


Joined: 31/03/2007
Posts: 2381

Message Posted:
21/05/2008 18:35

Going back to initial post, remember you are only allowed goods to the total value of 135 Euro. You are not allowed to split a large cost between 2 people. If the item is 150 for example then you are over limit.



Other than that be prepared for any arbitary confiscations that are on the list of the day. Stick to routine shopping and you are usually OK.



Remember it does work for both sides and you can have goods confiscated or be fined if travelling south especially if you have ciggies. It does not matter who you are or who your driver is customs can and will stop you at any time and any place.

ilovemydogs



Joined: 20/04/2008
Posts: 514

Message Posted:
21/05/2008 18:39

sorry if i am being thick here, but isn't it a good thing if you are spending your money in their county, or am i missing something, and while i am on the subject, is it euro in the south?.

TimothyCadman


Joined: 13/12/2007
Posts: 1040

Message Posted:
21/05/2008 18:59

ilovemydogs,



You seem to forget that Cyprus is not ONE country but TWO. But really any currencey that is brought into a country helps that economy. But by the same extent, if the product is then imported into a second country then that country loses out on possible revenues that could ahve benefited that country.



But, if an item, or items, are cheaper in another country and the cost of getting there is still creating a saving, then people will always buy where it is cheapest.



Remember those deals in the early 90's, £1 return to France for car and upto 4 passengers in the newspapers? I used to travel from Birmingham and do the "booze cruise" to Calais, and at the end of the day it still worked out cheaper than buying in my local supermarket. The British Government weren't happy. With the price of fuel as it is small scale "booze cruises" are now, sadly, uneconomical.



And to answer your final question, the currency in the South is Euro.

GailForce



Joined: 15/03/2008
Posts: 54

Message Posted:
21/05/2008 22:30

Damn and there was me thinking i would be able to have a trip to Ikea and spend 135euros each (between me and my family). :( An Ikea on the Turkish side would be good!

Mouse


Joined: 21/05/2008
Posts: 58

Message Posted:
22/05/2008 11:10

Agree with you an Ikea on the Turkish side would be great. Went over to Ikea end of last year, took hired car to border, walked over and then took a taxi, did the same coming back with lots of bits and pieces from Ikea and nobody gave us a second glance. Hoping to do the same in September.

suntanman



Joined: 18/04/2007
Posts: 721

Message Posted:
22/05/2008 22:07

We have flown to Larnaca many times, driven over the border (Pyla & Famagusta) in a south Cyprus hire car and haven't been questioned once, or been asked to open our luggage. We have virtually kitted out our property with items from the UK, and will be taking more over in Aug.

The return journey is a different matter, you will be asked whether you know the limits on alcahol and cigarettes, and will more than likely be asked to open your suitcase for inspection.

ilovemydogs



Joined: 20/04/2008
Posts: 514

Message Posted:
22/05/2008 22:25

the differenci is our hire car will be from the north. getting a taxi to and from the airport

the butler


Joined: 22/06/2007
Posts: 1958

Message Posted:
22/05/2008 22:43

Hi ilovemydogs,



You seem to be a little confused, you cannot take a hire car from the north to Ikea in the south. Also I don't think the greek cypriots will mind however much you spend but it is the Turkish Cypriot border guards who will confiscate it on returning to the north. Hope this clears things up.



The butlers wife

ilovemydogs



Joined: 20/04/2008
Posts: 514

Message Posted:
23/05/2008 07:59

i am confused , i thaught it was the greek taking it off you, that has cleared it up. i know you can't take a car , what we were going to do was leave the car , walk and get a taxi back. won't bother now. i may as well just bite the bullet and but the stuff i need locally.

mishmash


Joined: 05/05/2008
Posts: 336

Message Posted:
26/05/2008 10:52

We were stopped at the boarder recently - no surprise our purchases of a table and chairs could be seen. Customs allowed us through this time but told us that the 135 Euro does not extend to anything that is electrical or considered as household furniture (maybe they consider slides as household furniture). They told us to tell all our English friends because 'the English always bring these in'. Maybe it depends on what day of the week it is !!!!

The Pestman


Joined: 27/05/2008
Posts: 4

Message Posted:
28/05/2008 07:46

Guys just to let you know obviously we all know what the rules are about bringing in goods from the south but we all do it. So if we are going to do it lets get it right. Best times to come over is between 12-2pm during the week as most of the customs staff are at lunch. If you have a carkit make sure you are using it and are on the phone when crossing over and always avoid eye contact with them. 4pm is also a good time as the workers are coming back from the south.