Filenews 16 November 2024
The procedure for importing-transporting vehicles in Cyprus will be upgraded soon, the Department of Customs and Excise said in an announcement issued regarding a report on the controls carried out by the Department on imports of goods and vehicles.
The announcement notes that "in all cases of import or transport of goods or vehicles in which there is reasonable suspicion that documents submitted for customs clearance or proof of EU character are untrue, false or falsified, the Department of Customs and Excise does not allow their release until the completion of controls and the investigation of possible fraud."
In these cases, importers are given the opportunity either to place the goods or vehicles in Bonded warehouses or to receive them directly by depositing a cash deposit covering any duties and taxes due.
"Following the provisions of the legislation and the guidelines of the European Union, the controls of imports from third countries are carried out on the basis of risk management and analysis," the statement said, adding that "Cyprus carries out controls at a higher rate than the other member states, on the basis of the national risk analysis system."
It is also noted that "one of the most important tasks that the Department of Customs and Excise has to accomplish is to facilitate legitimate trade through the unhindered passage of legal products to the internal market". "An unjustified increase in the rate of controls will not only fail to help fight fraud, but will create congestion at entry points, with adverse effects on trade". It is noted that 'the same applies to the completion of formalities for proving the Union status of goods'.
It is underlined that "the whole process of importing and/or transporting vehicles in the Republic of Cyprus is carried out through an existing technological infrastructure, which will be upgraded soon and will facilitate the detection of multiple vehicle imports by the same individual".
Furthermore, it is emphasized "the fact that, both in the past and today, the Department of Customs and Excise carries out the legal checks and in cases where it is found that a natural person carries out or organizes repeated imports of vehicles, it informs the Tax Department of the appropriate investigation within the framework of its own competence".
The Department of Customs and Excise states that "it has as one of its main priorities the detection and combating of illegal drug trafficking from all entry and exit points of the Republic of Cyprus and for this reason it cooperates with international organizations and other prosecuting authorities of other countries at European and global level, as well as with the Anti-Narcotics Service of the Police to achieve this goal".
It further notes that "on the basis of information and risk analysis, containers are selected for physical inspection, in which narcotic substances or other contraband goods are detected and seized."
The Department of Customs and Excise underlines that "it fully trusts its staff, who work in very adverse conditions and, despite their limited number, carry out extremely a huge amount of work, which covers both the safety and protection of citizens and society, in the context of the implementation of legislation on prohibitions and restrictions, as well as the smooth and smooth conduct of legitimate trade".
However, the Department clarifies that it "urges anyone in possession of specific and reliable information indicating the involvement of any member of its staff in illegal activities to forward it to the competent authorities, for the conduct of the necessary anti-corruption investigation."
In conclusion, it is emphasized that "in the context of competition prevailing in the market, each entity tries to safeguard its interests, while the Department of Customs and Excise works exclusively within the legal framework, to safeguard public revenues as well as the financial interests of the European Union".
CNA
