Frequently Asked Questions

The EU One Stop Shop for Supporting Green Line Trade and Businesses is a project that has been established by the European Commission, in cooperation with and supported by the Cyprus Chamber of Commerce and Industry (CCCI/KEBE), and the Turkish Cypriot Chamber of Commerce (TCCC/KTTO) to:

  • Support Green Line trade for the benefit of both Cypriot communities
  • Promote business cooperation across the Green Line
  • Inform the key stakeholders and the general public about the legal aspects of Green Line trade and its processes.
  • Work to increase the quality standards in line with the EU acquis to facilitate trade and protect consumers

The objective of the EU OSS is to contribute to increasing Green Line trade through the provision of technical assistance, information and support to traders and businesses involved in or with potential to engage in Green Line trade.
The key pillars of EU OSS are:

  • Pillar 1: To increase awareness on Green Line trade, the opportunities for such trade and procedures that this trade might entail
  • Pillar 2: Create knowledge that supports Green Line trade, including of the EU standards to which such trade needs to adhere .
  • Pillar 3: Provide hands on consulting, advice and guidance to traders and businesses that facilitate trade, or are exploring trade facilitation
  • Pillar 4: Create cooperation activities to bring together the interested stakeholders of all communities of Cyprus

We are open to cooperation with any organisation or stakeholder that would like to work with us, the European Commission, the Cyprus Chamber of Commerce and Industry (CCCI), and the Turkish Cypriot Chamber of Commerce (KTTO) to promote trade and business cooperation across the Line.

It is EU law. The official name is “Council Regulation (EC) No 866/2004 of 29th April 2004 on a regime under Article 2 of Protocol 10 to the Act of Accession”. It entered into force on 1 May 2004. The Green Line Regulation lays down special rules concerning goods, services and persons crossing the line between the areas of the Republic of Cyprus in which the Government of the Republic of Cyprus exercises effective control and the areas of the Republic of Cyprus in which it does not.

Green Line trade is the trade between the areas of the Republic of Cyprus in which the government of the Republic of Cyprus exercises effective control and the areas of the Republic of Cyprus in which it does not. Rules for Green Line trade are specified in the Green Line Regulation.

Yes. Green Line trade is regulated by the Green Line Regulation (“Council Regulation (EC) No 866/2004 of 29th April 2004 on a regime under Article 2 of Protocol 10 to the Act of Accession).

The Green Line Regulation sets out detailed rules for trade from the areas of the Republic of Cyprus in which the government of the Republic of Cyprus does not exercise effective control into the areas of the Republic of Cyprus in which it does. In simple terms, from the Turkish Cypriot community to the Greek Cypriot community.

The Regulation also contains provisions in Article 5 permitting trade in the opposite direction.

We believe that for a healthy growth of mutual trade between the two communities, commercial bridges must be built in both directions. The EU OSS provides basic guidance and support for inquiries about trade in both directions in cooperation with the Chambers of Commerce .

According to the GLR goods allowed to cross are those wholly produced or obtained in the areas of the Republic of Cyprus not under the effective control of the government of the Republic of Cyprus or which have undergone their last substantial economically justified processing or working in those areas. Crossing takes place through approved crossing points. Imported goods are not allowed to cross. Live animals and animal products, except sea water fish and honey, are not allowed to cross.
These are the basic provisions. However, additional conditions for each product, such as quality standards, might be applicable. The economic operators are expected to know the requirements for their products in the EU market.

Important note: It is the responsibility of both Turkish Cypriot and Greek Cypriot economic operators to comply with the domestic requirements including registration of their companies, chamber memberships and local permits. Additional requirements might be required before any consignment. For more information about the domestic requirements, the economic operators are strongly encouraged to consult the relevant Chamber.

  • Obtaining an accompanying document from the Turkish Cypriot Chamber of Commerce on presentation of a relevant invoice. The accompanying document must identify the producer, consigner (seller) and buyer. It also must set out the amount and value of trade specified in an invoice. The accompanying document must be signed and stamped by the Chamber. The invoice must be attached to the accompanying document.
  • Goods together with accompanying document and invoice reach the crossing point where they are checked by the custom officials.
  • There may be additional checks at the crossing point and if there is a problem the goods may be returned, confiscated or destroyed.
  • Until any additional checks are completed the goods are not allowed to be placed in the market.
  • All the Turkish Cypriot products must comply with EU and domestic regulations and requirements, standards and specifications.
  • Independent phytosanitary experts appointed by the EU Commission, deployed under the technical assistance and information exchange instrument (TAIEX), and operating in coordination with the Turkish Cypriot Chamber of Commerce, shall inspect all goods consisting of plants or plant products at the stages of production, of harvest and of marketing, to ascertain that EU rules are upheld. All Turkish Cypriot producers must contact the Turkish Cypriot Chamber of Commerce before initiating any production.

Only goods that either are wholly obtained in the areas not under effective control of the government of the Republic of Cyprus or goods which have undergone their last, substantial, economically justified processing or working in an undertaking, equipped for that purpose in the areas not under the effective control of the government of the Republic of Cyprus can be traded from these areas to the areas of the RoC under government control.
Imported goods, regardless of the origin, are not eligible. Just to give you an idea, some of the goods that are currently crossing are construction materials, chemical products, containers and vegetables. Considering that the trade from the Turkish Cypriot community is less than 1 percent of goods purchased by the Republic of Cyprus economy from other countries, there is a big potential for more trade to take place.

No. The regulation does not set rules about raw materials.

Every traded item must meet all requirements under the acquis to be placed on the EU market. For example, construction materials will need to meet the quality standards which will be certified by authorized bodies. Another example is fruits and vegetables, which require a phytosanitary report of inspection provided by an EU expert before crossing the Green Line.
Please remember that it is the responsibility of the trader to be informed about the requirements of their products. The Republic of Cyprus has the right to make its own checks to ensure the relevant EU requirements are met.

The Green Line Regulation does not restrict trade of processed food of non-animal origin. The EU is working with the Republic of Cyprus authorities to support trading of processed food items to ensure food safety and hygiene standards are met. Currently these are the processed food items that can be traded across the Line after receiving approval from the EU experts. In order to obtain approval for the locally produced processed food listed below, please contact the Turkish Cypriot Chamber of Commerce:

  • Olive oil
  • Tahini
  • Halva
  • Carob syrup (side note: but not carob powder)
  • Jams (side note: fruit unspecified)
  • Fresh orange and pomegranate juices
  • Table olives, black and green
  • Juices, Nectars and Fruit Drinks of apple, grapefruit, pineapple, cherry, peach, apricot
  • Coffee
  • Dried molohiya/molokhia,
  • Lemonade
  • Frozen vegetables
  • Frozen potatoes
  • Pickles

Products intended to come in contact with food (food contact materials) can  also  be traded.

GLR provides for individuals to cross the Line with goods for personal consumption subject to certain limits.

However, personal consumption is not considered as a Green Line trade.

For any transaction to be considered a Green Line trade as defined by the Green Line Regulation, it must involve the accompanying documentation provided by the Turkish Cypriot Chamber of Commerce.

Both Cyprus Chamber of Commerce and Industry and the Turkish Cypriot Chamber of Commerce has a long history of cooperation for the benefit of both communities. They are committed to developing and improving trade across the Green Line and are implementing partners in this project.

While the main priority of both institutions is to help their members, they always maintain sincere and direct communication for the common benefit of both economic communities. We feel lucky to have their support and guidance during the implementation of this project.

In addition to these two Chambers, the EU OSS cooperates and serves all relevant chambers, business organizations, businesses and entrepreneurs in line with its mission.

YearGreen Line Trade
2023€ 16,046,304
2022€ 14,647,241 
2021€  6,151,022 
2020€  4,693,898 
2019€  5,464,237 
2018€ 4,582,402
  • Plastics  
  • Fish
  • Mosaics, Marbles, Granites 
  • Construction Materials
  • Prefabricated Containers
  • Wood Products/Furniture 
  • Mattresses 
  • Aluminium Products 
  • Waste / Scrap Products (Vegetable Oils, Paper & Paperboard, Metals) 
  • Vegetables & Fruit 
  • Chemical Products (Thinner, Tile Adhesive, Plaster, Paint) 
  • Curtains, Blinds

  • Paints 
  • Tiles 
  • Machinery And Equipment 
  • Pipes And Parts 
  • Agricultural Products 
  • Steel And Iron Products 
  • Chemicals 
  • Gases 
  • Plastic products 
  • Insulation materials 
  • Paper and paperboard 
  • Aluminium products
  • Freshwater fish

The EU has implemented numerous programmes to help Turkish Cypriot products meet EU requirements. There is meticulous inspection of the goods crossing the Line. Each product is required to comply with the EU and Republic of Cyprus requirements and meet its standard.

Trade can be mutually beneficial to all who undertake it. The modern economic growth of the European Union was based on the elimination of trade barriers. This allows businesses to cooperate and provide their communities with better products at lower prices.

The same principle applies to the Green Line trade. It can promote intra-island cooperation and build a shared economic prosperity. It ensures that EU consumers are protected as EU product and service standards are in place. Green Line trade provides a common prosperity, without winners or losers. 

No. Quite the contrary. Let us explain: 

  • Firstly, the Green Line trade is a legal tool to curb illegal trade and smuggling which is the real source of unfair competition. 
  • Secondly, currently the trade from the Turkish Cypriot community constitutes less than 1% of RoC imports. 
  • Thirdly, the Green Line trade provides opportunities for companies and consumers on both sides of the Green Line. It creates new business opportunities for those who are already engaged in commercial activities as well as those who are willing to enter the market.