You checked your email or phone and there it was — a message from Cyprus Post asking you to register on something called ThalisUPP. If your first reaction was confusion, you are not alone. Every week, hundreds of people in Cyprus receive the same notification, especially after ordering goods from China, the UK, the USA, or other countries outside the European Union. The good news is that this is a completely routine customs process, and with the right guidance it is straightforward to resolve.
Why Did You Receive a ThalisUPP Notification?
ThalisUPP is the official online platform of Cyprus Post and Cyprus Customs & Excise used to manage the customs clearance of international postal shipments. When your parcel arrives in Cyprus from a non-EU country, Cyprus Customs assesses whether import duties and VAT are owed before the item can be delivered to you. The notification you received is simply Cyprus Post informing you that your shipment is being held at the customs post office pending that assessment.
There are two main thresholds that trigger the process. For shipments valued over €150, VAT becomes payable and a basic customs check is required. For shipments valued over €1,000, a full AIS (Automated Import System) customs declaration is required — and this can only be prepared by a licensed customs agent.
Is Your Shipment Over €1,000? You Will Need a Licensed Customs Agent
For shipments valued above €1,000, Cyprus Customs requires a formal AIS customs declaration. This is a legally binding document submitted electronically to the Cyprus Customs & Excise Department, and it can only be prepared and filed by a licensed customs agent — it cannot be completed by the importer alone.
In addition to the AIS declaration, you will need to sign Form TEL1002, which is an authorisation that allows your customs agent to act on your behalf. This form cannot be signed electronically — it must be physically signed by you (the consignee) in the presence of a customs officer or a certifying officer.
This two-step requirement — AIS declaration plus physical TEL1002 signature — is the point where most people get stuck. If you have received a ThalisUPP notification for a shipment over €1,000, the fastest path forward is to contact a licensed customs agent immediately.
What Documents Will You Need?
Before contacting a customs agent, it helps to gather your paperwork. Having these ready will speed up the process considerably.
The most important document is the commercial invoice from the seller. This must clearly state the full description of the goods, the declared value in the currency of sale, the country of origin, and the seller’s name and address. If the invoice is vague, incomplete, or in a language other than English or Greek, your agent may need to request a corrected version from the seller before proceeding.
You will also need a packing list (a detailed breakdown of the contents, quantities, and weights) and a copy of your ID or passport for personal shipments.
For commercial (business) shipments, you or your company must first be registered at the Cyprus Customs House and hold a valid EORI number (Economic Operators Registration and Identification). Without an EORI number, the AIS declaration cannot be submitted.
Common Mistakes People Make with ThalisUPP
Waiting too long. Once your shipment is held at the customs post office, the process cannot begin until you contact a licensed customs agent and provide the required documents. Acting promptly avoids unnecessary delays and gets your goods released as quickly as possible.
Attempting to file the AIS declaration without a licensed agent. For shipments over €1,000 this is not possible — the AIS declaration requires specialist customs software and a valid customs agent licence. Attempting to proceed without one will result in delays and potential penalties.
Uploading the wrong documents. The ThalisUPP portal requires specific documents in a specific format. Uploading a screenshot of an invoice or a document in an unsupported format will cause the submission to be rejected, causing further delays in the release of your shipment.
Paying duties before the declaration is accepted. Duties and VAT must be paid only after the AIS declaration has been formally accepted by Cyprus Customs and the exact amount has been confirmed by your agent.
How Long Does ThalisUPP Clearance Take?
When all documents are in order and a licensed customs agent is engaged promptly, the typical end-to-end timeline is 1–3 working days. The agent reviews your documents and prepares the AIS declaration on the same day or the next working day. Once you have signed the TEL1002 form and the declaration is accepted by Cyprus Customs, your agent issues a total invoice covering their fee, import duties, and VAT. After payment is received, the agent pays the customs duties on your behalf. You then upload the declaration reference and payment receipt to the ThalisUPP portal, and the customs post office typically releases the shipment within one to two working days.
The most common causes of delay are an incomplete or inconsistent commercial invoice, a missing EORI number for commercial importers, and delays in the consignee signing the TEL1002 form in person.
How P.Panagi & Sons Can Help
P.Panagi & Sons Ltd has been clearing shipments through Cyprus Customs for over 40 years, with hands-on experience at Limassol Port and the Cyprus Ports Authority. We are fully licensed by the Cyprus Customs & Excise Department and handle ThalisUPP clearances on a daily basis. Our team speaks English, Greek, and Russian.
We review your documents, prepare and submit the AIS declaration, guide you through signing the TEL1002 form, issue a clear invoice with no hidden costs, pay the customs duties on your behalf, and provide you with everything you need to complete the upload on the ThalisUPP portal. Start your ThalisUPP clearance with us today or call us on +357 25 560175.
P.Panagi & Sons Ltd is a licensed customs clearing and forwarding agent based at the Cyprus Ports Authority Management Building, New Port, Limassol 3045, Cyprus.
Frequently Asked Questions
If your shipment is valued above €1,000, yes — a licensed customs agent is legally required to prepare and submit the AIS customs declaration. You cannot file this declaration yourself. For shipments between €150 and €1,000, you may be able to pay the assessed VAT directly through the ThalisUPP portal without an agent.
The total cost has two components: the agent’s professional fee (which varies depending on the complexity of the shipment) and the import duties and VAT assessed by Cyprus Customs. Import duty rates depend on the HS tariff code of the goods and their country of origin. VAT in Cyprus is 19% on the customs value plus any applicable duty. Your customs agent will provide a full breakdown before you commit to payment.
No. The ThalisUPP portal requires you to upload both the accepted customs declaration and the proof of payment of duties and VAT before the shipment can be released. The portal will not process an incomplete submission.
Ignoring the notification does not make the process go away. Your shipment will remain held at the customs post office. After a period of time — typically several weeks — unclaimed shipments may be subject to abandonment procedures and could ultimately be destroyed or auctioned by Cyprus Customs.
Yes. Since the United Kingdom left the EU customs union on 1 January 2021, shipments from the UK to Cyprus are treated as imports from a non-EU country and are subject to the same ThalisUPP process as shipments from China, the USA, or any other non-EU origin.
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