Cyprus-Forum.com

[roseandchan]

can anyone tell me the rules and regulations about crossing the border.
today i had 4 plants sent to customs prison on tc side. apparently i need a permit to bring them in? last week we were told it would be ok to bring them but today the customs confiscated them. the plants are all of cyprus origin, 2 olive trees,1 orange tree and a bird of paradise plant. i can't see what the problem is, can anyone help me on this one?

[Nikitas]

The TC side does not apply EU regulations. They have excluded themselves, probably in one of those recognition efforts. So when you cross the Green Line you are treated as if you are leaving/entering the EU from a third country. This applies to all goods, except cash.

[roseandchan]

what i can't work out is that these plants are not imported they are all from cyprus. this shouldn't be a problem. i cannot see the logic behind it other than customs are being dick heads! we have brought back plants before and had no problems. looks like tomorrow will be spent trying to get the right form to get them released. if not will take them back to the south. looks like us brits will be offering the olive branch !

[observer]

If you really want them (they are written in legalese) you can find the EU's Green Line Regulations here: http://eur-lex.europa.eu/LexUriServ/Lex ... 056:EN:PDF

EU Regulations only strictly apply to EU countries, which RoC is and TRNC is not (Yes, I know that's simplified depending on recognition etc, but it is the current reality) . The TRNC authorities may write whatever rules they like, but in general follow the Green Line Regulations set by the EU.

I'm not sure that the men on the ground on either side of the Green Line really understand them in detail, so if you download, print and wave the Regulations at them when stopped, they may think you're an expert and let you through with anything and everything!!!