The Customs Department has activated emergency procedures for collecting customs-tax charges after a technical fault disrupted customs clearances at Limassol Port.
The problem, which peaked last Friday, affects the system used to process customs-clearance payments as well as the automatic import system, the department said in an announcement. As a result, processing has stalled for certain declarations, leaving them pending payment.
“Until the matter is fully resolved, for the collection of customs-tax charges relating to these declarations and for the release of goods, payments will be accepted in cash or by cheque via GL18, by bank transfer, by credit card, or through deferred payment,” the department said.
Those paying in cash or by cheque will be issued a GL18 receipt, which importers or customs brokers must present to the responsible customs officer before goods can be released. For payments made by bank transfer or credit card, the Customs Department’s accounting office will confirm payment with a signature and stamp, after which the officer will proceed with releasing the goods.
Companies or customs brokers wishing to arrange deferred payment have been asked to contact Customs Headquarters directly.
