Shipping a Car to Cyprus from the UK: Costs & Tax 2026

Last updated: 22 October 2026

Cyprus is one of the few EU countries that drives on the left, which makes it a natural home for British cars. Thousands of Britons live there, and many choose to ship their own vehicle rather than buy locally. Since Brexit, though, a car from the UK is treated as a non-EU import, so taxes and paperwork matter.

Ro-ro or container?

Method	Typical sea time	Indicative cost (UK to Limassol)	Best for
Ro-ro	About 2–3 weeks	Around £1,000–£1,800	Standard running cars
Shared container	About 2–4 weeks	Around £1,200–£2,000	Better protection at a fair price
Sole-use 20ft container	About 2–4 weeks	Around £1,800–£3,000+	Classics, valuable cars, cars plus belongings

Indicative costs only. Add UK collection, Cyprus port charges, clearance and taxes.

The main arrival port is Limassol. Some services tranship in the Mediterranean, for example at Piraeus or Gioia Tauro.

Aerial view of a ro-ro ship loading new cars — Ro-ro and container services connect UK ports with Limassol.

Import tax: what to expect

A car imported from the UK may face:

Customs duty, often 10% for passenger cars from outside the EU, unless an exemption or preferential origin rules apply
VAT at the Cypriot standard rate
Excise duty, which in Cyprus is calculated mainly on the car’s CO₂ emissions, with adjustments for age
Registration fees and road tax

Transfer of residence relief

If you are moving your normal residence to Cyprus and have owned and used the car abroad for at least six months, you may be able to import it free of customs duty and VAT, and sometimes with excise relief. Conditions apply, including restrictions on selling the car soon after import. Check with the Cyprus Department of Customs and Excise before you ship.

Registration in Cyprus

Customs clearance at Limassol with your V5C, bill of lading, ID and proof of residence
Pay the duties or obtain relief
Pass a roadworthiness test, the Cyprus equivalent of the MOT
Register with the Road Transport Department and get Cypriot number plates
Insure the car locally

Container ship at sea — A sole-use container lets you ship household goods alongside the car.

Tips

Do the maths first. Excise duty on large, high-emission cars can be very high. Small, low-CO₂ cars are often worth shipping; big older 4x4s may not be.
Keep paperwork for ownership and residence, as these decide whether you qualify for relief.
Ship household goods with the car in a container to save on costs.
Allow 4–8 weeks in total from UK collection to driving on Cypriot plates.

Moving to Cyprus? Read our international removals guide et sea freight transit times.

Frequently asked questions

How much does it cost to ship a car to Cyprus from the UK?

Ro-ro typically costs around £1,000–£1,800, and containers more. Taxes and registration in Cyprus are extra.

How long does car shipping to Cyprus take?

About 2–4 weeks at sea, and 4–8 weeks in total including clearance and registration.

Do I pay import tax on a UK car in Cyprus?

Usually customs duty, VAT and CO₂-based excise duty, unless you qualify for transfer of residence relief.

Is a right-hand-drive car legal in Cyprus?

Yes. Cyprus drives on the left, so UK right-hand-drive cars suit local roads.

Which port do cars arrive at in Cyprus?

Usually Limassol, Cyprus’s main cargo port.

Moving to the Mediterranean?

Ask us about sea voyages and cargo ships sailing towards the Mediterranean.

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Steve Joury

Conseiller en voyages Cargo chez Cargoholidays

Passionné par le voyage lent et la mer. Steve connaît la plupart des routes maritimes et des procédures pour découvrir notre beau monde depuis la mer sur un porte-conteneurs. Il a participé à la plupart des voyages, de 7 jours en cargo à 140 jours à bord.

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