Cyprus-Forum.com

[paphosnik]

Hi
I want to order a few pieces of jewelry from a local designer in the USA. A pendant of gold-plated silver, the total price would not exceed 100euro. Has anybody had experience with receiving such package from overseas here in Cyprus? I looked up on USPS (american mail) and it has "jewelry" under restriction. Am I going to face custom clearance or any tax/duties?
You advice much appreciated!

[supporttheunderdog]

Yes you will have to pay tax and duty on them. If they come by post you will to collect at a main post office and pay there.

[paphosnik]

thanks for the reply. do you have any idea what's the fee or percentage? it's simple jewelry accessories under 100euro, i need to figure out how much i'm willing to 'overpay' in tax for the luxury of having a small designer accessory like that.
appretiate it!

[Sotos]

At a minimum you will have to pay 15% VAT. For certain items items there is nothing more than VAT but other items have some import duties. I don't know about jewelry specifically. Also note that VAT is calculated on the total amount including shipping. So if the item is 90 euro and you pay 10 euro for shipping there will be 15 euro VAT.

[paphosnik]

ok, got it, thanks.
last portion of questions
does every single package from overseas get taxed like that, or there's a chance it will come untaxed? like, it i ask the sender to lower the value.
is there any risk of a simple package being taken through customs office with a requirement of broker involvement? just never dealt with overseas internet buys in cyprus so far...
thanks

[Maximus]

I bought something from a chinese seller on ebay, it came through from the far east, there was no duty being requested which I was expected to pay.

[johbee]

The best thing to do is send it to a friend or relative in the USA. Then have them post it to you marked as a gift. Most of the time you will escape the thieving hands of the ROC! I rarely buy anything in Cyprus anymore and regularly order from ebay.co.uk and amazon.co.uk. It's not taxable if it comes from another EU country. I even ordered two overhead garage door openers from Sears in the US. Even with the shipping and taxes the total cost was less than half what they were asking in Paradise! A year ago I ordered a car from the UK. Never saw it, never drove it, but saved a bundle and got a great car.

[cyprusgrump]

My experience is that they make up the tax and duty as they go along...

I picked up a parcel from Limassol this morning...

Cost of goods $70. Cost of shipping $30. Duty and VAT on $100 = €15

[paphosnik]

Thank you for much feedback.
I do in fact have a person in the USA who can re-send the package marked as gift.

@Johbee - does "gift" automatically makes you exempt from taxes or they still can insist that I pay? and if they do, would they make up the price?

I'm finally buying the thing I chose tomorrow. It's a little figure on a chain (vermiel or gold/silver mix). I also went to USPS (american post) website and it says that jewelry is subject to restriction for Cyprus (here - http://pe.usps.com/text/imm/ce_018.htm - Registered items containing coins; banknotes; currency notes or securities of any kind payable to bearer; traveler’s checks; manufactured or unmanufactured platinum, gold, or silver; or precious stones, jewelry, or other valuable articles are admitted only under a license from the Cyprus Central Bank.)
I'm getting very confused.

Main question now - do i risk to get into trouble (big tax out of nowhere) when such item arrives in mail? Do they open and inspect parcels at cyprus post when they arrive?
Hope to finish this thing up tomorrow

[bill cobbett]

Thank you for much feedback.
I do in fact have a person in the USA who can re-send the package marked as gift.

@Johbee - does "gift" automatically makes you exempt from taxes or they still can insist that I pay? and if they do, would they make up the price?

I'm finally buying the thing I chose tomorrow. It's a little figure on a chain (vermiel or gold/silver mix). I also went to USPS (american post) website and it says that jewelry is subject to restriction for Cyprus (here - http://pe.usps.com/text/imm/ce_018.htm - Registered items containing coins; banknotes; currency notes or securities of any kind payable to bearer; traveler’s checks; manufactured or unmanufactured platinum, gold, or silver; or precious stones, jewelry, or other valuable articles are admitted only under a license from the Cyprus Central Bank.)
I'm getting very confused.

Main question now - do i risk to get into trouble (big tax out of nowhere) when such item arrives in mail? Do they open and inspect parcels at cyprus post when they arrive?
Hope to finish this thing up tomorrow

Go with a repackaged "Gift" ... as long as package isn't over-large... it does work ... and it's almost Chreeeeeeestmas ...