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The Commissioner for Administration and Human Rights, Maria Stylianou-Lottidi, has called on the Cyprus Customs Department to urgently clarify the rules on transferring fuel from the occupied territories. This follows multiple complaints about the seizure of small fuel quantities at transit points, with citizens claiming they were unaware of any violations.
In her report, Commissioner Maria Stylianou-Lottidi highlighted the lack of clear communication by Customs officers during fuel seizures at transit points, contributing to confusion among citizens. Some complainants said they believed they were within the legal limits for fuel transport, having relied on media reports suggesting that transporting up to 10 liters was permissible. However, Customs officers offered unclear justifications for the seizures, leading to increased tension during inspections.
The Commissioner also noted discrepancies between the information provided by the Customs Department’s website and its internal regulations. While the site indicates that fuel transport is prohibited, official guidelines allow it under specific conditions: it must be for non-commercial purposes, the fuel’s value must not exceed €260, and it must be transported in secure, compliant containers. However, the report pointed out that in most confiscation cases, simple plastic containers—failing to meet safety standards—were used.
Furthermore, the Commissioner emphasized that the Customs Department failed to provide adequate training to its officers, leading to inconsistent enforcement of the regulations. This lack of proper guidance exacerbated public confusion, with some complainants unsuccessfully trying to get more detailed explanations via phone or email.
The Commissioner stressed the importance of transparency and proper public communication, recommending that the Customs Department take immediate steps to correct its public information and ensure that officers at crossing points are trained to apply the Green Line Regulation fairly and consistently.
[With information from CNA]
