Quick answer
Parcels sent to Cyprus from another EU country pay no customs charges. Parcels from outside the EU, including the UK since Brexit, need a customs declaration and are charged 19% Cypriot VAT whatever their value, plus customs duty on many goods; since 1 July 2026 a flat €3 duty applies to low-value parcels under €150. Gifts between private individuals worth up to €45 are exempt.
- No customs charges on parcels between EU countries.
- Parcels from outside the EU, including the UK, pay 19% VAT at any value.
- Since 1 July 2026, a temporary €3 customs duty applies to low-value parcels under €150.
- Private gifts worth up to €45 are exempt from duty and VAT.
- Excise goods such as alcohol and tobacco are taxed at any value.
Whether a parcel arrives in Cyprus without charges depends mainly on where it comes from. Here we explain the rules for parcels to and from Cyprus in 2026, including what changed after Brexit and the new EU duty on small parcels.
Who does this apply to?
These rules apply to anyone receiving or sending goods by post or courier, whether you are ordering online, receiving gifts from family or sending belongings home. If you are moving your household goods to Cyprus, different customs relief rules apply; see our moving checklist.
Do you pay customs on parcels from the EU?
No. Goods sent between EU countries move freely, without customs declarations or extra charges on arrival. If you buy from a business in another EU country, the price normally already includes VAT. Excise goods such as alcohol and tobacco follow special rules even within the EU.
What do you pay on parcels from outside the EU?
The UK, the US and every other non-EU country are treated the same way. As of 2026:
| Type of parcel | VAT (19%) | Customs duty |
|---|---|---|
| Gift between private individuals, up to €45 | No | No |
| Online purchase under €150 | Yes | Temporary flat €3 duty |
| Goods over €150 | Yes | Normal EU tariff rate |
| Alcohol, tobacco and other excise goods | Yes | Duty and excise at any value |
VAT is worked out on the value of the goods plus postage and, where it applies, duty.
The end of the €22 VAT exemption
Since 1 July 2021, the EU has charged import VAT on all goods from outside the EU, however cheap. Many large online sellers collect this VAT at checkout through the EU Import One-Stop Shop (IOSS). If you paid VAT when you ordered, you should not pay it again when the parcel arrives.
The new €3 duty on small parcels
From 1 July 2026, the EU replaced the old customs duty exemption for goods under €150 with a temporary flat €3 duty. It is charged according to the types of item in the parcel, so a parcel containing different kinds of goods can attract more than €3. The measure is planned to run until 2028, when a new EU customs data system is expected to apply normal tariffs to all goods regardless of value.
What changed for parcels from the UK after Brexit?
Before 2021, parcels from the UK arrived in Cyprus as EU goods with no charges. Now they need a customs declaration, and you will usually pay 19% VAT on arrival unless the seller collected it at checkout. Goods made in the UK can qualify for zero customs duty under the EU–UK trade agreement, but VAT still applies. Goods made elsewhere and sold from the UK may attract duty.
Gifts from family in the UK are exempt only if they are worth €45 or less and sent by one private individual to another.
How do you receive a parcel that owes charges?
Step 1: Wait for the notice
If charges are due, Cyprus Post or the courier will contact you, usually by notice, SMS or email, with the amount and how to pay.
Step 2: Provide documents if asked
Customs may ask for the invoice, order confirmation or proof of payment to confirm the value. Keep these for every purchase from outside the EU.
Step 3: Pay the charges
Pay the VAT, any duty and the carrier's handling fee. Couriers set their own handling fees, which can be significant on low-value items.
Step 4: Collect or receive delivery
Once paid, the parcel is released for delivery or collection. Unclaimed parcels are eventually returned to the sender.
How do you send a parcel from Cyprus?
- To the EU: no customs form is needed for ordinary goods.
- To the UK or another non-EU country: fill in a customs declaration describing each item, its value and whether it is a gift. Post offices and couriers provide the forms.
- To the UK specifically: gifts worth £39 or less are free of UK VAT. Gifts above £39, goods over £135 and excise goods such as alcohol can be charged to the recipient.
Check prohibited and restricted items before sending, especially food, plants, medicines and anything containing batteries.
Common problems
- Undervalued declarations. Customs can hold a parcel if the declared value looks too low.
- Paying VAT twice. If you paid VAT at checkout through IOSS, keep proof and contact the carrier if you are charged again.
- "Gift" sent by a business. Only private-to-private gifts qualify for the €45 exemption.
- Delays in peak season. Allow extra time before Christmas and other holidays.
What to do next
Before ordering from outside the EU, check whether the seller collects VAT at checkout, and keep your receipts. For bigger items, compare buying within the EU.
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Contains affiliate linksFrequently asked questions
Do I pay customs on a parcel from the UK to Cyprus?
Usually yes. Since Brexit, the UK is outside the EU, so parcels need a customs declaration and are charged 19% Cypriot VAT. Customs duty may also apply, depending on the goods, their value and where they were made.
Is there VAT on small parcels from outside the EU?
Yes. The EU removed the €22 VAT exemption in July 2021, so import VAT applies to all goods from outside the EU, except qualifying gifts between private individuals worth up to €45.
What is the €3 customs duty on parcels?
Since 1 July 2026, the EU charges a temporary flat €3 customs duty on low-value parcels under €150 bought from outside the EU, replacing the old duty exemption. It is planned to run until a new EU customs system takes over in 2028.
Can family send me a gift from the UK without paying tax?
A gift from one private individual to another worth €45 or less is exempt from VAT and duty. Above that, or for alcohol and tobacco, charges apply.
Do I pay tax on a parcel I send from Cyprus to the UK?
The recipient may. In the UK, gifts worth £39 or less are free of VAT. Gifts above that, goods over £135 and alcohol or tobacco can be charged on delivery.
