Breaking news

Cyprus Aligns With EU Initiative To Tax Low-Value Imports

by THEFUTURE.TEAM

June 15, 2026

Overview

Cyprus will introduce a temporary flat fee of €3 per item on goods imported from outside the European Union starting July 1, 2026. The measure forms part of a broader EU customs reform and applies to low-value consignments worth up to €150 arriving from non-EU countries. It replaces the duty exemption that remained in place until June 30, 2026. Scheduled to remain in effect until July 1, 2028, the temporary charge will eventually be replaced by standard customs duties based on product categories.

Modernizing Customs Procedures

Introduced as part of the EU’s wider customs reform, the new rules are intended to modernize procedures through digitalization and improved data transparency. Under the previous system, exemptions for low-value imports helped limit administrative costs. Advances in electronic tracking and customs systems have reduced the need for such exemptions, according to the European Commission.

Follow THE FUTURE on LinkedIn, Facebook, Instagram, X and Telegram

Ensuring Fair Competition And Consumer Safety

Concerns over product safety have also contributed to the changes. According to the European Commission, inspections carried out across the EU in 2025 found that more than 60% of tested low-value products failed to meet safety and compliance requirements. Items ranging from cosmetics and toys to electronic devices lacked proper documentation or labeling, while some products contained prohibited substances.

Besides raising concerns for consumers, non-compliant imports have created challenges for European businesses that operate under stricter regulatory standards. Authorities say the new regime is intended to establish more equal conditions for importers and domestic companies.

Future Implications And Enhanced Regulatory Measures

Additional measures will accompany the temporary fee. Mandatory product identifiers will be introduced on November 1, 2026, while voluntary declarations will be permitted from July 1, 2026. Exemptions will continue to apply to non-commercial gifts valued at up to €45 exchanged between private individuals, provided no payment is involved. Calculated on a per-item basis, the €3 charge will be included in the taxable value used for VAT purposes and will ultimately be borne by consumers.

Conclusion

The changes reflect broader efforts by the European Union to strengthen customs oversight and increase transparency in cross-border trade. Updated procedures are expected to improve the detection of non-compliant products while providing a more consistent regulatory framework for businesses operating within the EU market.

The Future Forbes Realty Global Properties

Only 1% Of Cyprus Farms Use Precision Farming Technologies

Cyprus remains one of the European Union’s least digitised agricultural economies, with just 1% of farms using precision farming technologies in 2023, according to Eurostat.

The findings come as the EU continues to encourage the adoption of digital tools aimed at improving agricultural productivity, efficiency and sustainability.

Follow THE FUTURE on LinkedIn, Facebook, Instagram, X and Telegram

Internet Access Expands, But Digital Uptake Lags

Internet access has improved across the bloc, although adoption remains uneven. Eurostat found that 43% of EU farms had internet access in 2023, with northern and central European countries leading the way.

Denmark, Germany, Slovakia, Latvia, the Czech Republic and Austria all reported internet access rates above 90%.

Greater connectivity, however, has not translated into widespread digital adoption. Farm management information systems, which help farmers manage day-to-day operations, were used by only about 11% of EU farms. France was a notable exception, with around 60% of farms using the technology.

Precision Farming Concentrated In Larger Operations

Robotics adoption also remained relatively limited, with only about 7% of EU farms using robotic technologies. Overall, around 18% of farms with utilised agricultural area employed at least one precision farming technology or practice in 2023.

These included robotics for plant protection, band spraying, variable-rate application, precision crop monitoring and soil analysis. Despite representing fewer than one in five farms, these holdings accounted for around 44% of the EU’s utilised agricultural area.

The figures suggest that precision farming remains concentrated among larger agricultural businesses, where investment in digital technologies is typically easier to support.

Cyprus Lags Behind EU Leaders

Luxembourg, Finland and Estonia recorded the highest shares of utilised agricultural area managed by farms using precision farming technologies, each exceeding 75%.

At the other end of the ranking, Cyprus recorded just 1%, while Greece and Romania reported between 10% and 15%. The results indicate that Cyprus remains at an early stage of digital adoption in agriculture, even as precision farming becomes more widespread across parts of the European Union.