New Rules for Online Purchases in Cyprus: Duties Introduced for Parcels Under €150

New EU customs rules for goods worth up to 150 euros bought from online stores outside the European Union will take effect on 1 July 2026. The main change is the complete abolition of the previously applicable exemptions, which means that small parcels from third countries will now cost more.
Instead of duty-free treatment, a fixed charge of 3 euros will be introduced for each individual item in a parcel. This amount will be added automatically to the price of the product before value added tax (VAT) is calculated, increasing the total costs for the end consumer.
At the same time, the rules for non-commercial parcels between private individuals will remain unchanged. Gifts worth up to 45 euros will continue to be exempt from duties and VAT, provided that no payment was made for them. According to the authorities, the new measures are intended to protect European businesses and put them on an equal footing with foreign online platforms.