Cyprus Customs Workers Launch 24-Hour Strike Over New Automated Import System

Customs Workers Halt Operations in Key Cypriot Cities

Customs workers in Limassol and Nicosia engaged in a 24-hour strike on Thursday, September 25, 2025, protesting the immediate implementation of a new automated import system. The industrial action was initiated due to concerns over serious technical issues with the system and a perceived lack of adequate training for personnel.

Demands for Postponement and System Rectification

The strike, led by the Cyprus customs officers' association and the Customs Agents Association, specifically targeted the new Automated Import System (AIS), also known as CY-UCC-AIS. According to Christos Akaros, chairman of the customs officers' association, and Louis Louka, secretary of the Customs Agents Association, the system's activation without necessary corrections and comprehensive training is creating 'enormous problems' for the industry. Workers are demanding a postponement of the AIS activation and a temporary return to the existing 'Theseus' system until all errors are rectified and training is completed.

Concerns Over Operational Efficiency and Security

The customs workers voiced significant concerns regarding the new system's impact. They warned that the AIS, in its current state, could lead to:

• Difficulties for the industry, risking client loss.
• Financial losses for the state.
• Compromised security, as police might lose the ability to monitor suspicious containers without proper recipient information, potentially 'opening the door to drug traffickers'.

The unions emphasized that they are 'not opponents' but 'partners' seeking to facilitate a smooth transition, not a rushed and problematic one.

Threat of Escalation Amidst EU Directive

The 24-hour strike serves as a warning, with the association threatening to escalate to indefinite action from the following Monday if their demands are not met. Such an escalation, potentially involving truck drivers, could lead to containers being unable to leave ports, forcing ships to depart without unloading. The implementation of the AIS is part of a broader European Union (EU) directive, the Union Customs Code (UCC), which aims to modernize and simplify customs procedures across member states, moving towards a fully electronic customs environment by the end of 2025. While some EU countries have opted to postpone the deployment of the related Import Control System 2 (ICS2) until the end of 2025, Cyprus is among those where the obligation applies from September 1, 2025, contributing to the current dispute.