Nicosia, Cyprus. Cypriot consumers placed more than 100,000 orders through online platforms including Shein and Temu during the first 15 days of the month, despite a temporary €3 customs duty on certain low-value imports.
Customs authorities estimate monthly shipments could rise to between 200,000 and 250,000 parcels.
Duty impact on demand
Customs Department spokesman George Constantinou told Alpha TV on Friday that the temporary charge had not significantly affected consumer demand, as purchases through the platforms remained financially attractive.
The duty is charged at €3 per product category. A parcel containing items from several categories may therefore incur multiple charges.
Collection and exemptions
Constantinou said consumers who have not paid the duty during the ordering process may be charged by courier companies or the post office when parcels are delivered or collected.
He said the fee does not apply where products are shipped from a warehouse in another European Union member state and customs duties have already been paid.
Revenue distribution
Since July 1, more than 100,000 parcels containing around 400,000 product categories have entered Cyprus, with each parcel containing an average of four to five items.
At €3 per product category, the charge amounted to about €1.2 million during the first 15 days, Constantinou said. He added that 75 per cent of the revenue would be allocated to the European Union, while 25 per cent would remain in Cyprus to cover enforcement-related administrative costs.
