High demand for Asian e-commerce platforms continues in Cyprus despite new customs fees

Cypriot consumers continue to place high volumes of orders on Asian e-commerce platforms such as Temu and Shein, despite the introduction of a new 3 euro customs fee on July 1, 2024. According to George Konstantinou, spokesperson for the Cyprus Customs Department, approximately 100,000 parcels arrived by July 15, matching previous monthly averages of 250,000 to 300,000 shipments. The Customs Department reported that a technical issue caused a 50% reduction in processing capacity, forcing the use of alternative clearance procedures. While some consumers rushed to place orders before the fee took effect, current data indicates that shopping habits remain largely unchanged. The 3 euro fee is scheduled to remain in place until 2028. Popular items continue to be textiles, clothing, and accessories. The influx of small parcels has placed significant pressure on the customs clearance infrastructure.