CYPRUS CUSTOMS: STRATEGY: HOME
OBJECTIVES:
-imposition and collection of import duties,excise duties and VAT on imported goods
-imposition and collection of excise duties and VAT on locally-manufactured goods
like hydrocarbon oils,spirits,aerated soft drinks,beer and tobacco products
-control and grant of reliefs from duties&taxes for certain goods
-monitoring of prohibitions and restrictions on importation/export/transit of:
narcotic drugs
firearms and other arms
flora&fauna species threatened by vanishment(CITES convention)
cultural heritage goods
intellectual property rights incl. pirate products
obscene content material
CHANGES:
-decrease of tax-collective role and concentration on VAT
-need to establish good relations with customers and improve image
COOPERATION:
-with European services for enforcement against smuggling,SDOE(Greece),the Italian
body against economic crime,OLAF(European organisation for enforcement against fraud:task group cigarettes:for exports of duty-free cigarettes:data like quantity/ship/container number/shipper/carrier/destination/kind of cigarettes
EQUIPMENT:
-self-motorised x-ray unit
-radiation monitors(portals)
OPERATIONS:
-computerisation(automation)
-harmonisation with acquis communautaire
-serving the traveller at minimal incovenience
-fighting cigarette smuggling and money laundering
-prevention of terrorism
-collection of statistical data in relation to customs activities
SOCIAL ROLE:
-improvement in relation to quality of life:
-protection from drugs,monkey products,dangerous substances,goods of
obscene/unethical/satanic content
-monitoring of correct food labelling
-protection of the environment