Countries · CY

Cyprus: sanctions and trade risk

No elevated indicator

As of 7 November 2026, the screened UN, EU, UK, Swiss and US sanctions lists contain 121 companies, organisations, vessels and aircraft linked to Cyprus.Lists last checked .

Logistics profile: ports, airports, customs, documents, holidays, news ↓

No elevated country indicator for Cyprus in the route rules Sanctioni uses. That is not a clearance: goods may still be export-controlled, and parties in Cyprus may still be on a list.

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On the sanctions lists

121 entries on the official lists name Cyprus — as nationality, address, registration or flag. That links them to the country; it says nothing about other companies there. The same company can appear on several lists and is then counted once per list. Individuals are not included — Sanctioni does not process them.

ListEntries
US OFAC — Specially Designated Nationals (SDN)111
US OFAC — Consolidated (Non-SDN) Lists7
Switzerland SECO Consolidated Sanctions List2
UK Sanctions List (FCDO)1

Latest changes

No new listings or removals naming Cyprus recorded yet.

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Logistics profile

Cyprus: logistics and trade

Island transshipment hub and transit hub in the eastern Mediterranean

Cyprus (CY) is an EU island republic in the eastern Mediterranean and a transhipment and transit point between Europe, the Middle East and North Africa. As an EU and eurozone member it belongs to the EU customs union; the Union Customs Code applies with mandatory EORI and TARIC, exports run through the Automated Export System (AES), and import VAT is 19 percent (reduced rates 9 and 5 percent). The main gateway is the port of Limassol, which handles around 90 percent of foreign trade (Eurogate container terminal, DP World multipurpose terminal), complemented by the port of Larnaca; air freight moves via Larnaca (LCA) and Paphos (PFO). There is no railway network — domestic transport runs on motorways A1 (Nicosia-Limassol), A3 and the A5/A6 coastal axis. Trade across the Green Line to the north is governed separately by the EU Green Line Regulation. Imports are dominated by petroleum products, vehicles and machinery; exports by pharmaceuticals, citrus fruit and cheese. Key partners are Greece, Italy, Germany and the United Kingdom.

Capital
Nicosia
Population
983,000
Area
9,251 km²
Currency
Euro (EUR)
Continent
Europe
Region
EU / Eastern Mediterranean
Economic area
EU (Eurozone, EU Customs Union)
Religions
Greek Orthodox, Islam, Catholicism, Anglicanism
Access to the sea
Yes

Transport modes Sea · Air · Road

Current situation
Limassol operating stably despite Middle East tensions; increased volume from regional diversions may temporarily cause crane/yard bottlenecks; no strikes or nationwide disruptions verified. (As of 2026-07-22)
Seasonal conditions
Mediterranean climate with hot, dry summers and mild winters. Low weather-related transport risks.

Main seaports

  • Limassol

    Limassol (CY LMS) is Cyprus's main port: container (Eurogate), multipurpose/RoRo/cruise (DP World), ~370,000 TEU, road hinterland, EU customs.

  • Larnaca

    Larnaca (CY LCA): Cyprus' second commercial port for break-bulk, dry bulk, RoRo and oil & gas. Containers go via Limassol; alternatives: Limassol, Vasiliko.

  • Dhekelia

    Dhekelia (CY DHK), Cyprus: an open-roadstead tanker berth supplying heavy fuel oil to the EAC power station. Not a container or general-cargo port.

Main cargo airports

  • Larnaca International AirportLCA

    Larnaca Airport (LCA): Cyprus's main gateway, c. 30,000 t of air cargo, served by DHL, FedEx and UPS; volume freight moves via Limassol port. Nicosia closed since 1974.

  • Paphos International AirportPFO

    Paphos Airport (PFO/LCPH), Cyprus's second-largest, runs a Swissport cargo terminal with customs & cold storage; main air-freight hub is Larnaca (LCA), ~110 km.

Road corridors

  • A1 Nicosia–Limassol
  • A3 Larnaca–Ayia Napa
  • A5/A6 Larnaca–Limassol coastal axis

Main trade lanes

  • Cyprus - Greece
  • Cyprus - Italy
  • Cyprus - Middle East
  • Cyprus - North Africa

Customs and import

Customs authority Customs and Excise Department (Department of Customs and Excise)Official website ↗

Import customs system
EU Union Customs Code (UCC); electronic import clearance, EORI number and TARIC are mandatory. Import VAT is due upon customs clearance.
Export customs system
EU export procedure via the Automated Export System (AES); EORI number required, export declaration submitted electronically.
Import VAT
Standard rate 19 percent; reduced rates 9 and 5 percent (including food and medicines).
Proofs of origin and trade agreements
EU free trade agreements; preference proofs EUR.1, origin declaration and REX registration.
Restricted and prohibited goods
EU-wide bans and restrictions: weapons, drugs, species protection (CITES), cultural property, certain food and feed.

Typical import documents

  • Commercial invoice
  • Packing list
  • Transport document (CMR, AWB, B/L)
  • Electronic customs declaration
  • EORI number
  • Proof of origin for preference

Typical export documents

  • Commercial invoice
  • Packing list
  • Export declaration (AES)
  • Transport document
  • EORI number
  • Preference proof (EUR.1), if applicable

Logistics conditions

Customs complexity
Low to medium
Customs delays
Low
Port congestion
Low
Dangerous goods relevance
Medium
Pharma and cold chain relevance
Medium
E-commerce relevance
Medium

Trade

Top import goods

  • Vehicles
  • Crude oil
  • Machinery
  • Food
  • Chemicals

Top export goods

  • Pharmaceuticals
  • Citrus fruits
  • Cheese
  • Wine
  • Chemicals

Typical cargo

  • Petroleum products
  • Machinery
  • Vehicles
  • Food
  • Pharmaceuticals
  • Citrus fruits

Upcoming public holidays

  • Christmas DayFri, 25 Dec 2026 · businesses closed
  • Boxing DaySat, 26 Dec 2026 · businesses closed
  • New Year's DayFri, 1 Jan 2027 · businesses closed
  • EpiphanyWed, 6 Jan 2027 · businesses closed
  • Green Monday (Clean Monday)Mon, 15 Mar 2027 · businesses closed
  • Greek Independence DayThu, 25 Mar 2027 · businesses closed
  • Cyprus National Day (EOKA Day)Thu, 1 Apr 2027 · businesses closed
  • Good Friday (Orthodox)Fri, 30 Apr 2027 · businesses closed

Latest logistics news

Logistics questions

Is Cyprus part of the EU Customs Union?

Yes. The Republic of Cyprus is an EU member and belongs to the EU Customs Union and the Eurozone. The Union Customs Code (UCC) applies; an EORI number is required for imports and exports.

What is the import VAT rate in Cyprus?

The standard rate is 19 percent. Reduced rates of 9 and 5 percent apply to certain food, medicines and services, among others.

Through which ports does trade flow?

Limassol is the most important port and handles around 90 percent of foreign trade; the container terminal is operated by Eurogate, and the multipurpose and cruise terminal by DP World. Larnaca is the second-largest port.

Which airports are relevant for air freight?

Air cargo runs through the international airports of Larnaca (LCA) and Paphos (PFO), both operated by Hermes Airports. Larnaca is the more important cargo location.

Is there a railway network in Cyprus?

No. Cyprus has no railway network. Domestic transport is carried out exclusively by road; the motorway network connects Nicosia, Limassol, Larnaca and Paphos.

What applies to trade with northern Cyprus?

In the north, which the Republic's government does not control, the EU acquis is suspended under Protocol 10. Trade across the Green Line is regulated separately by the EU Green Line Regulation.

Which documents are required for imports?

Common documents are the commercial invoice, packing list, a transport document (CMR, AWB or B/L), the electronic customs declaration and an EORI number. For preferential treatment, a proof of origin such as EUR.1 is also required.

Full logistics profile on Freight Academy ↗

Freight Academy

Powered by Freight Academy, verified 22 Jul 2026. Logistics information, not a sanctions source.

Indicator: the route rules of the Sanctioni check, curated from the published sanctions programmes of the UN, EU, UK, Switzerland and the US. Entries: the live version of each list (data sources), updated every 6 hours.

A preliminary screening aid — not legal advice and not a compliance clearance. The official publication of the competent authority prevails.

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