Kibkom North Cyprus Forum

Hi,

It's my friends 30th Birthday in a couple of months and I'd like to send her something.
What I need to know is:
Do the post office here send packages and if so what is the max size / weight
Depending on the value, will my frind have to pay import duty and VAT.
Finally, I'm considering a "cyprus original" handbag, how will this be viewed by customs should it be subject to duty VAT, will it be confiscated?

Thank you

When sending a parcel, depending on which PO you use, you cannot actually wrap it as they want to see what is inside. This certainly applies to the main PO in Girne. I do not know about VAT but how will the customs know it is real as opposed to fake unless they scrutinise carefully which they probably cannot be prepared to do. More likely it will go "missing" in transit so I wouldn't risk it. I tend to find things online and have them delivered to my UK friends, especially if an important birthday so that I know for sure they will get it. Good luck.

Thank you for the info carrierbag.

As much as she is a very good friend, the "cyprus original" was going to set me back 985 tl.... the real deal online is £1600!! Next time we chat I'll be making sure to find out if she has any other items on her wish list that I can purchase online and ship direct to her.

Such a shame as there is some lovely quality stuff, and although it's not the real deal, it'd be nice to be able to support the local businesses and economy.

I doubt very much that by buying a fake high end handbag you will be supporting the local economy as the vast majority of fakes sold here are produced in Turkey. As a handbag fanatic its still possible to pick out real from fake, even if you pay 985tl. I think you're right, see if there is anything else she'll like. BTW, the new range of bags in Debenhams are terrific this year!! Perhaps she could choose what she wants and you buy on line for her. Wish I had a friend who was prepared to spend that sort of money on a bag for me. Lucky lady!!

There is a way that you can be fairly certain of a parcel arriving at its destination. Send it by registered mail. This way they allocate a tracking number to your parcel and give you a slip with the number on it.

I returned a faulty Kindle recently without any problem. You do have to leave the parcel open for the PO to view the contents so take tape & scissors to seal before it is finally despatched. The cost of registration is quite reasonable as are all the postal charges out here.

I've sent many packages back to the Uk I use Esentepe post office. Wrap the package but leave one side open to enable you to slide the item out for the postmaster to inspect. He says gift, I say gift. he then proceeds to seal the package.
I assume that once it has his stamp of approval no further investigation is necessary. Everything I've sent has arrived intact & in good time. Sometimes 11days sometimes just one week.

I understand your wish to send your friend something from Cyprus even if it is manufactured in Turkey, most everything is.

The other option is to maybe find someone who is going back to the Uk who would take it & post it for you when they return. I have used this method in the past before I realised how efficient and inexpensive it is to post from here.

I understand that alot of the stuff here is from turkey but the people selling them no doubt live here and earn their living here so....
If I set up ship I'd like to think others would do the same regardless of where my products came from.

My friend loves the look of designer goods but neither she, nor I for that matter will ever be able to afford the real thing. I've seen the originals in the uk before I came out here and some of the copies are faultless, top quality when it comes to the real leather stuff (have to admit I've seen some really bad copies too)

I might well give the registered post a go, perhaps with something not quite as expensive to begin with because as much as I like to think I'm generous, I don't like throwing money down the toilet

Oops I meant if I set up shop.... predictive text, it's always catching me out!