Metehan Crossing WARNING

Teresa


Joined: 21/11/2007
Posts: 1018

Message Posted:
19/12/2010 17:10

Reported in todays Kibris along with a picture showing loads of Jumbo bags, they are searching cars coming back from the South and confiscating everything that you should not have so please be warned before you go spending loads of money over there.

pollymarples


Joined: 08/08/2010
Posts: 1778

Message Posted:
19/12/2010 17:39

They really know how to encourage people to want to stay here. Steal your home, steal yor laptop, steal your shopping.

barbaros


Joined: 03/06/2009
Posts: 171

Message Posted:
19/12/2010 18:11

Came back over yesterday afternoon and no searches being carried out at all.



B

Rogerdodger


Joined: 24/04/2008
Posts: 271

Message Posted:
19/12/2010 18:32

They must have all the food and presents they need for Christmas this year

elkiton



Joined: 15/03/2009
Posts: 514

Message Posted:
19/12/2010 18:35

Polly, not a fair comment, the allowances and restricted products are well known, confiscating contraband is not stealing in any language or country.

TonyE

yorgozlu



Joined: 16/06/2009
Posts: 4437

Message Posted:
19/12/2010 18:54

...............treat the 2 parts of the island as 2 different countries and you'll all be fine.

rollinbones


Joined: 14/11/2008
Posts: 201

Message Posted:
19/12/2010 19:31

went today.... came back with loads.... never a problem....

DutchCrusader



Joined: 19/05/2008
Posts: 11281

Message Posted:
19/12/2010 19:38

I'm just waiting for the next thread where heavy Jumbo, Liddl etc buyers start to complain of being ripped off (for ten Korush or so) in every TRNC supermarket...

LondonCypriot


Joined: 15/12/2008
Posts: 426

Message Posted:
19/12/2010 19:45

http://www.yeniduzen.com/detay.asp?a=26717&z=19

Tenakoutou



Joined: 27/07/2009
Posts: 4110

Message Posted:
19/12/2010 19:55

elkiton/Msg 5: '......contraband.........'



You should know, or realise, the same as everyone else, that this border 'confiscation caper' is merely petty, politically spiteful 'tit-for-tat'.



In actual fact, both sides are doing nothing more than alienating foreigners' affection for the whole island by dragging them into their irredeemable quagmire, euphemistically termed 'The Cyprus Problem'.

elkiton



Joined: 15/03/2009
Posts: 514

Message Posted:
19/12/2010 20:07

Only partly true msg 10, I am sure you are aware that the ROC are invoking a quite EU legal option to impose tariff regulations at any "frontier", and as the Acquis is suspended here in the north, that pretty well qualifies it as one. So, I would expect "our" side to do likewise, not too unreasonable do you not think?



Of course, us bystanders can see the nonsense of it all.



TonyE

AlsancakJack



Joined: 14/08/2008
Posts: 5762

Message Posted:
19/12/2010 20:25

From the pictures it looks as though some of those caught were extracting the urine big time.

Everyone knows (or should know) the limits and some shop on a daily basis buying goods in the South to resell in the North. If you take a chance then sometimes you should expect to be caught.

Pugwash


Joined: 06/09/2010
Posts: 1797

Message Posted:
19/12/2010 20:33

Indeed alsancakjack, my friends went and came back yesterday and were searched but had "sensible" amounts of items, if you take the p1ss then you may well get caught and should not complain, the rules are clear.

Teresa


Joined: 21/11/2007
Posts: 1018

Message Posted:
19/12/2010 20:58

All the pictures in yeniduzen are showing Turkish Cypriots, among the stuff taken was a shower cabin, step ladders and a plasma tv. I think that the 130 euro limit was well broken. For those doing sensible shopping i dont think there is a problem.

Swany



Joined: 01/12/2009
Posts: 255

Message Posted:
19/12/2010 21:18

WE came over yesterday and were stopped at about 16:30. Had some Christmas presents for the kids. A small desk and folding chair from IKIA. All our shopping was no more than €200 and after having been asked what was what we were waved through. We were a family of five in an esate car. The officers were very polite and courteous and we had no problems. I don’t think it would have been the same story if we had more IKIA stuff that was the bag that they were most interested in.

Pugwash


Joined: 06/09/2010
Posts: 1797

Message Posted:
19/12/2010 21:20

Well said Teresa

coffer


Joined: 13/02/2007
Posts: 292

Message Posted:
19/12/2010 21:23

msge 14, I think the limit is 260 euro, please also be careful with wine, fortfied wine and spirits. We were caught last year. One bottle is all you are entitled to and they know people will be bringing it through next week. They told us last year we could go and pay the tax 3 days later at the customs HQ, not true as we found out

YFred


Joined: 06/05/2009
Posts: 1471

Message Posted:
19/12/2010 21:23

If you know you will be over the limit, do it properly and pay the VAT on it and there will be no problem. The same rules apply here between France. People go and fill their cars with Fags and booze and they get the same treatment.

JohhnyLee


Joined: 25/04/2009
Posts: 2495

Message Posted:
19/12/2010 21:27

Why does anyone need to shop in the South, it is beyond me, we live a fantastic life here,and enjoy what is on offer in TRNC.



We have never flown in or out of the South either.

Lilli



Joined: 21/07/2008
Posts: 13081

Message Posted:
19/12/2010 21:28

coffer i think its still 120 euros per car not person x or so we were told but who do you beleive x

yorgozlu



Joined: 16/06/2009
Posts: 4437

Message Posted:
19/12/2010 21:35

there ios a big sign at Metehan that tells you how much you are allowed to spent and on what.

All in black and white.

YFred


Joined: 06/05/2009
Posts: 1471

Message Posted:
19/12/2010 22:15

Yorgozlu, "Black and White", considering it gets so dark so quickly, no wonder people cannot see it. If we can afford to light the side of the mountain surely we can afford a sign that can be seen day and night.

Rambo3


Joined: 22/09/2010
Posts: 96

Message Posted:
19/12/2010 22:19

Welcome to TRNC!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

yorgozlu



Joined: 16/06/2009
Posts: 4437

Message Posted:
19/12/2010 22:20

hade reh Luricadi,you forgot the days we used to use 'fitilli fanoz' for a bit of light and now you want lighting on signs as well.



Have a very Merry and looks like white Xmas.

Lilli



Joined: 21/07/2008
Posts: 13081

Message Posted:
19/12/2010 22:23

Yorg, of topic but only to wish you and your lovely wife and family seasons greetings and hope the leg is on the mend xxxxxxxxxx

MUSIN M


Joined: 26/06/2008
Posts: 1352

Message Posted:
19/12/2010 23:04

boy oh boy



is there anything less trivial too moan about ,polymarples if you live in the north then shop in the north and visa versa ,do not try to achieve the best of both worlds ,they are different countries .



musin





long live the kktc

YFred


Joined: 06/05/2009
Posts: 1471

Message Posted:
19/12/2010 23:54

Yorgozlu, my old man was one the first Lurucadis to put electricy in the house. We only used fitilli fanoz at night till the zero lamp came along.

We was dead posh we was, I'll ave you know.

mummyincyprus


Joined: 16/10/2010
Posts: 37

Message Posted:
20/12/2010 00:23

typical brits, moaning about everything... why not shop a round in the north? thats what i've done, and found everything i need... glug glug... lol only thing i needed from the south that i didnt seem to find was wrapping paper. everything else is ready for xmas. i am actually quite surprised at how muchu can find in the north. its more wide spread, but u can find it. its just a bit weird how everyone lives in the north, but all the shopping has to come from the south? why?? its not only disrespectful to the turkish's policies on their country, its darn right cheeky! stay in the north u fools.

islandgirl


Joined: 12/09/2009
Posts: 302

Message Posted:
20/12/2010 07:54

The sign at the crossing relates to what you can take North to South NOT the other way

fiendishpaul


Joined: 18/05/2008
Posts: 1720

Message Posted:
20/12/2010 08:17

Islandgirl



The same amount applies both ways.



Paul

CarrieRBag



Joined: 23/12/2008
Posts: 1374

Message Posted:
20/12/2010 08:43

As far as I am aware its €135 per person bringing into North from South and €230 per person from North to South all of which must be legal goods ie. not booze or cigarettes.

yenibob


Joined: 13/10/2010
Posts: 1203

Message Posted:
20/12/2010 08:55

They never publish lists of allowed/disallowed goods, where would be the fun in that?



We all know about meat and milk products, but could one of you so called experts expand the list (no guesswork please)?

cyprusharv


Joined: 16/12/2008
Posts: 423

Message Posted:
20/12/2010 09:44

taken from the EU website................



The whole of the island is in the EU. However, in the northern part of the island, in the areas in which the Government of Cyprus does not exercise effective control, EU legislation is suspended in line with Protocol 10 of the Accession Treaty 2003. The situation will change once a Cyprus settlement enters into force and it will then be possible for EU rules to apply over the whole of the island. However, the suspension does not affect the personal rights of Turkish Cypriots as EU citizens. They are citizens of a Member State, the Republic of Cyprus, even though they may live in the northern part of Cyprus, the areas not under government control.



Does this mean that TC's can bring over what they like?

TRNCVaughan


Joined: 27/04/2008
Posts: 4578

Message Posted:
20/12/2010 09:44

elkiton,

msg 5

What they do with the confiscated goods is the point. If the confiscated goods are destroyed, that is right and proper and gives the customs officers no cause to confiscate more than they should. However, where confiscated goods end up "under someone elses Christmas tree/on someone elses dinner table", then this is a completely different matter.

I am not suggesting for a moment that this is true in TRNC.

mmmmmm



Joined: 19/12/2008
Posts: 8398

Message Posted:
20/12/2010 10:19

Facts time ! :



This is the regs for crossing north to south



http://www.mof.gov.cy/mof/customs/customs.nsf/All/05AEEF243C9BFC8BC22572BF002D0A28?OpenDocument



I don't have 'facts' for south to north ..

yorgozlu



Joined: 16/06/2009
Posts: 4437

Message Posted:
20/12/2010 10:43

TRNC;

If you dont bring nothing that you shoud not ,they'll confiscate nothing.



Everyone is a loser/winner.Job done.Bob's your uncle.



Why give them a reason to confiscate and then moan about what they do with it.

Hippo


Joined: 02/02/2007
Posts: 2070

Message Posted:
20/12/2010 10:43

Here we go again the sack cloth and ashes brigade in full voice,

Shop in the North is thier repetitive rant.



I will shop where I want when I want and when the TC's, shop keepers, and restauranters abide by that philosophy I may consider it.



In the mean time Happy Xmas, I hope you enjoy yur 14ytl turkey and I will enjoy my 4.5 euro one. (per Kg)

elkiton



Joined: 15/03/2009
Posts: 514

Message Posted:
20/12/2010 10:51

HI Vaughn, I too wonder,perhaps someone who is unlucky enough to have something confiscated will ask for a receipt and where it can be bought back at auction?!

Message 28. No, it is not always possible to get everything in the North,and a trip to the South occasionally is well worth it, plus a day out visiting places of interest,or chilling up the mountain in the snow.The music shops here, and some hobbies like model aircraft are not well provided for.Yours is an interesting viewpoint, but why should one not be flexible to visit other "countries" to but things? When I lived in Germany, many locals went to the Dutch markets in Roermond over the border even though they could buy equivalents in their own stores. Variety and choice I suppose?

Yenibob, no expert I, but the govt spokesman a couple of months ago in Cyprus Today warning about the forthcoming crackdown explicitly stated meat products, dairy, and furniture items, plus anything not for "personal use", whatever that means!

Tony

flutterby


Joined: 11/01/2008
Posts: 214

Message Posted:
20/12/2010 11:38

And customs in the UK who confiscate, eg bottles of liquid (alcohol perhaps) mistakenly packed in hand baggage, don't tell me they get thrown away or receipts given for them!!!!

Dixie Normus


Joined: 22/02/2008
Posts: 820

Message Posted:
20/12/2010 11:39

managed to get 5 42inch flat screens through yesterday no probs, just smile and wave and keep nothing on show.



D.N

flutterby


Joined: 11/01/2008
Posts: 214

Message Posted:
20/12/2010 11:40

And cigarettes and alcohol are far cheaper on the North side, so anyone buying them in the South to bring over North beats me!!!

yorgozlu



Joined: 16/06/2009
Posts: 4437

Message Posted:
20/12/2010 11:54

typical Brittish,allways want the best of both and when it goes wrong they start ranting and raving like cry babies.





Xmas dinner meat prepaired this morning.

The cost:priceless...............100% home bred.



quack quack................quack...........

TRNCVaughan


Joined: 27/04/2008
Posts: 4578

Message Posted:
20/12/2010 12:07

In the UK, HM Customs and Excise (As they used to be known) have bonded stores where confiscated goods are kept. Drugs, Booze, Fags, Porn, Fake luxury goods, etc. Once the court case, if any, is over, all items are crushed, shredded and/or incinerated.

I am sure there are dodgy customs men in the UK, as there are all over.

TRNCVaughan


Joined: 27/04/2008
Posts: 4578

Message Posted:
20/12/2010 12:10

yorgozlu,



Getting caught by the customs is a risk you choose to take, no complaints if you are.

What happens to the goods afterwards is what makes folks unhappy, as the feeling is that "nothing gets wasted" and this makes the customs men more "attentive".

TRNCVaughan


Joined: 27/04/2008
Posts: 4578

Message Posted:
20/12/2010 12:17

elkiton,



Customs in the UK can't auction off confiscated goods as this affects the market. If I bought 50 cases of half-price whiskey from the customs for my pub, my usual supplier would be very unhappy about that as it would affect his sales. If the customs gave it to charity, the effect would be the similar.

Destruction is the only fair (if wasteful) way.

cyprusharv


Joined: 16/12/2008
Posts: 423

Message Posted:
20/12/2010 13:48

Nice one Dixie, do you have any cheap camcorders? )))

Dixie Normus


Joined: 22/02/2008
Posts: 820

Message Posted:
20/12/2010 17:34

Hi Harv, just let me know the models you want, regular delivery and postage. Dixies electronic megastore, earnin more than a Somali Pirate.

Your delivery posted first thing this morn, proof recieved.



D.N

yenibob


Joined: 13/10/2010
Posts: 1203

Message Posted:
20/12/2010 17:58

Exactly as I thought. Beyond the obvious, no one has a clue what the South to North regulations are!



That in itself is a real indicator that the system is a corrupt scam, or why not publish the rules?

Baydweller


Joined: 26/01/2009
Posts: 78

Message Posted:
20/12/2010 18:20

I copied this some time ago to send to a friend who had asked the question.



SHOPPING IN THE SOUTH



Finance minister Mr Ersin Tatar has stressed that people shopping in the South could only bring back personnel goods to the value of 135€ or less.

This does not include furniture, electrical goods or restricted items.

Clothes, shoes & a few kilos of shopping from supermarkets is allowed.



People shopping in the North can take back 260€ each.

bar88jack


Joined: 16/12/2010
Posts: 50

Message Posted:
20/12/2010 18:40

pork chops for my personnel eating lamb also for my personnel eating mince beef for my plate all at substantially less than in trnc dog biiys 12 euros 20 kg gas bottle 9 euros = 18 tll NOT 30 AS HERE !!

yenibob


Joined: 13/10/2010
Posts: 1203

Message Posted:
20/12/2010 18:44

Wow. That is some stupid statement!



How is your "personnel eating lamb"?



Tee Hee

yorgozlu



Joined: 16/06/2009
Posts: 4437

Message Posted:
20/12/2010 19:21

..................it;s a wander why 'you' live in TRNC and not Roc!











I bet I know ther reason.......................................wink

MUSIN M


Joined: 26/06/2008
Posts: 1352

Message Posted:
20/12/2010 20:55

yorgo



i bet we all know the reason ......wink ...wink.





rules and regulations ,abide by them and stop moaning ,dear ex pats.



musin



long live the kktc

rowlo



Joined: 12/10/2008
Posts: 4796

Message Posted:
20/12/2010 21:18

he he , well said yorgo & musin , long live KKTC merry xmas to you both .

catalkoy


Joined: 20/12/2010
Posts: 20

Message Posted:
21/12/2010 09:24

They dont seem to worry about how much money you bring in or how it comes .I suppose the more you bring the more their citizens can rip you off for.

yorgozlu



Joined: 16/06/2009
Posts: 4437

Message Posted:
21/12/2010 09:33

msg 55;



Feeling is mutual................



If only you had any idea how much I got ripped off by so called 'brittish justice'!







then again,what goes round,comes round.At the moment I'm waiting for it to come round.

TRNCVaughan


Joined: 27/04/2008
Posts: 4578

Message Posted:
21/12/2010 12:42

Some folks are concerned about what happens to confiscated goods, and this is quite justified. You may say, once it's confiscated why should you care?

Well, if you paid a policeman an on-the-spot speeding fine, would you care if he put the money in his own pocket?

I think you would.

yrret


Joined: 17/08/2010
Posts: 761

Message Posted:
21/12/2010 14:27

It doesn't take a lot to work out that if there was a 'goods to declare' lane, i.e. the bus lane on the left crossing back at Metehan, then taxes could be collected there and then, save loads of beaurocracy and provided correct receipts were issued it could even be possibly a transaparent system, and would put cash into the system.

People 'not' declaring could then be legitimately fined, if they fail to declare, and provided a comprehensive ist of what is and isn't allowed is published.



It's a bit like everything else here, take a look how it's done elsewhere and adapt, don't keep trying to re-invent the wheel and wonder why it doesn't turn when it's got 4 corners.

yorgozlu



Joined: 16/06/2009
Posts: 4437

Message Posted:
21/12/2010 14:34

TRNC;

I would not want to put myself in the category of 'some folk',because I would not go and buy something with my very hard earned cash only for it/them to be confiscated because I should not have done it in the first place.





an english saying springs to mind;



'if you dont want to do the time,dont commit the crime'



.............and,by all means I'm no angel.

greenman


Joined: 16/02/2008
Posts: 526

Message Posted:
22/12/2010 12:22

Turkish Cypriots protest shopping crack down



http://www.cyprus-mail.com/cyprus/turkish-cypriots-protest-shopping-crack-down/20101222

yorgozlu



Joined: 16/06/2009
Posts: 4437

Message Posted:
22/12/2010 13:50

close all the boards for all I care.Besides,it'll be the best thing to do in order to tell the GCs and the rest of the world how persistant WE/TCs are of our recognition.

tracer


Joined: 02/06/2010
Posts: 442

Message Posted:
22/12/2010 20:11

Yes yiorgoslu just remember the TCS demonstrations before the opening of the "borders" (what was about?)

please stop forgeting what is not right for you yiorgo.

yorgozlu



Joined: 16/06/2009
Posts: 4437

Message Posted:
22/12/2010 22:34

tracer;



Thats just goes to prove what the politicians can lead you up to beleive and deliver nothing.

How many of those demonstraters do you think would be out there again for the same porpuse?

The way most TCs feel today cannot even be described with the word of 'frusturated'.

Bufferington


Joined: 09/09/2010
Posts: 119

Message Posted:
23/12/2010 14:28

All clear coming back today, Thursday. Very light traffic. Didn't see any searching.

Debenhams have 30 or 50% off many clothing lines!!!!!

tracer


Joined: 02/06/2010
Posts: 442

Message Posted:
23/12/2010 14:40

Ok yiorgo close the borders for the 10/15000 workers in the south and in an instant you will have 50000 demonstrators in the roads again.

check this for the politicians

http://www.cyprus44.com/forums/52224.asp

Carndi


Joined: 12/06/2009
Posts: 613

Message Posted:
23/12/2010 19:22

No searches when I came across yesterday afternoon.

Dont think I am doing a dis-service to the north by shopping in the south.It's swings and roundabouts. Some good shopping in the North and some in the South.

My wife has booked in Febuary to fly to London. Cost from Larnaca was £108 return with Easyjet. It would have been twice that or more from Ercan. The money saved can go towards our residency costs..