Ikea

[darrent]

Hi,

Can anyone offer advice on the best way to get furniture from Ikea to the north? I'm not a resident and only have a hire car so wondering what options I have?

Thanks
D

[Keithcaley]

...Can anyone offer advice on the best way to get furniture from Ikea to the north?...

Surreptitiously! - It's technically illegal, but good luck with it anyway

[tutor4u]

flat pack self assembly, but as Keith said "Surreptitiously" , worst case you will import duty.

[Trigger]

Luck of the draw from what we have been told. We have decided against IKEA for furniture but will get bedding, utensils etc from there and make sure we do a few runs to avoid running into difficulties with border control.

Plus, I’m allergic to flat pack furniture!

[darrent]

Thanks everyone!!!!

[fincho]

Why is it illegal.I thought if you get stopped you have to pay tax on the goods provided they are under a particular amount.Im definitely an outlaw if that is the case.

[Keithcaley]

Why is it illegal.I thought if you get stopped you have to pay tax on the goods provided they are under a particular amount.Im definitely an outlaw if that is the case.

To the best of my knowledge (cop out! ) the 'Green Line Regulations' - which govern the type of goods permitted to cross between the two sides - specifically prohibit furniture "unless it was manufactured on the island of Cyprus".

Someone will no doubt raise the point that although the South side is a signatory to these regulations, the North side isn't (well, they couldn't be, could they, because in the eyes of the International Community, U.N. et al. they don't actually exist as a legal entity ).

Notwithstanding, TRNC have apparently 'adopted' the same regulations, although they are somewhat loosely and erratically applied - it seems to depend on which side of bed any particular official got out of that morning...

Hmm, there's something wrong with the grammar of that last sentence, but it's too late to be messing about with it

[Trigger]

So... you are not allowed to bring furniture over the green line, that is, if it wasn’t manufactured on the island. So that rules out any furniture from IKEA. What about bedding, lighting, crockery and other smalller household items? Is this ok to bring over the green line, so long as it under a certain value? (€160 pp???).

[Panchocat]

Yes Trigger you can bring all of those things over as long as it for personal use.
Regarding the furniture. If you have brought a container over from the UK that is deemed to be your tax free home goods. Therefore any electrical goods or furniture you try to bring across the green line will be liable for import duty, if you are caught bringing it across.

[Keithcaley]

What might be OK one day, may not be OK the next day, when I said that the rules 'are somewhat loosely and erratically applied', I was not joking.

It's a bit like Russian Roulette - most times you are not stopped or checked, and if you are, then you can never predict the outcome...

Goods are supposed to be 'For Personal Use only' - whatever that means - does that mean 'products for use on the person' or that you personally will use them, or Personal as opposed to 'Trade' - i.e. re-selling the items?

No one knows - least of all the officials whose job it is to implement the rules - as far as I can see, each one just uses their own interpretation, and their own judgement, according to how they feel on the day!

[Trigger]

It sounds like a bit of a nightmare. Think I might just get stuff from the north as I cannot be bothered with customs roulette

[kibsolar1999]

Permitted to cross the border (green line) are all items for personal (private) use till a certain value, but excluded are, no matter the value, eg, meat, animal food, milk, cheese, all electronics as TV, toasters and all which works from electricity, mobile phones and so on…, furniture , plants and more.. so, basically, the “product line for free crossing” is not as long as many believe.
The green line regulations are meant for “normal use” and not for “saving loads of monies”. Nevertheless, people often do not care and often have to deal with “inconsequent” TRNC custom officers, who are often “sick” to control cars.. because otherwise the traffic most probably would stop completely.
Whether the product is made in RoC or not is not that important, as the two rules “permitted or not” and “max value” apply as well. Eg, pork shops made in the RoC: not permitted, no matter the value. A simple gas BBQ for 80 euros, made in Roc or not: permitted.
So, when want to bring “something made in RoC” worth, eg 400 euros, you can not cross the border “free”, unless they are officially imported.
So, basically, an ikea mattress worth 400 euros has three problems: not permitted+ not made in Cyprus + exceeding the value for a free, private crossing.
For business (re-sell) purposes NOTHING is permitted to cross the border with....(of course, as no company could write an invoice for these items…) , as long it is not properly imported.
But, for a “green line import” to the TRNC you need to prove that the goods are made in the RoC = you need a stamp on your invoice from the RoC chamber of commerce and you need several other permission from offices in the TRNC....nothing for a private homeowner .. and..of course.. finally pay the customs and VAT.
Eg, we legally imported hundreds of solar PV panels from RoC company Enfoton.
A business may even could bring a truck of furniture made in the RoC to the TRNC.. but then most probably a “stoppage” of most probably around 35% would apply.. to protect the TRNC furniture industry…
( the same “stoppage” , eg, applies for imports from Turkey or anywhere... Another example is: electric cables.)
Anyway, if you get caught from customs… A possible scenarios is: eg, confiscation, when you bring “too much” or “generally not permitted” items. Or eg, 50% charge on value + fine + 16% VAT. That doubles the price.

[Mr Chinnery]

Or for peace of mind purchasers might support the local TRNC economy, However i can understand if a particular item or alternative is not available in the TRNC.

[Trigger]

Permitted to cross the border (green line) are all items for personal (private) use till a certain value, but excluded are, no matter the value, eg, meat, animal food, milk, cheese, all electronics as TV, toasters and all which works from electricity, mobile phones and so on…, furniture , plants and more.. so, basically, the “product line for free crossing” is not as long as many believe.

So you are not allowed to cross the border with a mobile phone? Surely most people cross the border with a phone? When I go on holiday with my wife and daughter we are likely to have at least a phone each and a couple of iPads just for personal use. Or have I read it wrong?

[kibsolar1999]

no, you did not.
it is NOT an "inner european" border and certainly not a "free" border without restrictions.
of course it was and may is a problem for the TRNC economy that many TRcypriots go to the greek side and purchase mobile phones and much more, the newest laptop, ipad, whatever..
btw, the green line regulations do not only apply for crossings RoC to TRNC, they apply also for crossings TRNC to RoC.
eg, tobacco is completely forbidden to cross. or "fakes". but an open package (or a used Tshirt) usually will not create problems.

[Trigger]

no, you did not.
it is NOT an "inner european" border and certainly not a "free" border without restrictions.
of course it was and may is a problem for the TRNC economy that many TRcypriots go to the greek side and purchase mobile phones and much more, the newest laptop, ipad, whatever..
btw, the green line regulations do not only apply for crossings RoC to TRNC, they apply also for crossings TRNC to RoC.
eg, tobacco is completely forbidden to cross. or "fakes". but an open package (or a used Tshirt) usually will not create problems.

I mean my mobile phone that I always use? Surely that is ok to bring over the border? I have never been stopped before and I usually have the phone on show as I am using Satnav.

[sophie]

I think you are slightly at cross purposes. Perfectly OK to take your phone down South and then come back. However, if you do what I, like a clot did, which was to buy a new phone down South and bring it over here, then it was treated as if I had bought it in UK or wherever and had to go through all the rigmarole of registering etc, etc. What a palaver it was last year. Hopefully it's a bit simpler now.

[tomsteel]

I think you are slightly at cross purposes. Perfectly OK to take your phone down South and then come back. However, if you do what I, like a clot did, which was to buy a new phone down South and bring it over here, then it was treated as if I had bought it in UK or wherever and had to go through all the rigmarole of registering etc, etc. What a palaver it was last year. Hopefully it's a bit simpler now.

My, simple I accept, understanding of the TRNC's Government view is that any mobile 'phone purchased outside of the TRNC and intended for use here is subject to an import tax determined by the make/model number according to its valuation/taxable rate. Providers of service here will not register the 'phone and connect you if you cannot provide a Government receipt. I think visitors are allowed a period of grace of 90 days, but please do not quote me. The procedure for registration has been the subject of numerous previous posts. There is also a monthly tax imposed on mobile ' phone accounts.