Limassol: Customs brokers in Cyprus will return to work on Monday after voting unanimously on Saturday to end their strike, which began last Thursday. The decision was taken during an extraordinary General Assembly of the association’s members, held at Limassol port.
According to Cyprus News Agency, association president Christos Akaros said that brokers will resume operations with the new import system on Monday. He noted that the strike was lifted after assurances were given that the proposal presented during meetings at the Ministry of Finance, addressing many of their concerns, would also be presented in writing.
Asked why brokers would not return immediately, Akaros explained that procedures for implementing the new system have already started, and the Customs Department will not be operating over the weekend. The system is expected to go live on Monday afternoon. The association will also hold a press conference at 10:00 a.m. on Monday at Limassol port to provide further details.
The Cyprus Chamber of Commerce and Industry (CCCI) welcomed the decision, warning that the strike could have caused significant disruptions to trade and the country’s supply chain. In a statement, it described the move as a sign of responsibility and cooperation from the brokers, restoring normality to commercial transactions. The Chamber also underlined its role in mediating the dispute.
The strike was launched by customs brokers on Thursday in protest over the rollout of a new electronic import system, which they argued had been introduced without sufficient consultation or preparation. The stoppage quickly led to a buildup of containers at Limassol port, raising concerns over delays in deliveries and shortages of goods. Talks between the brokers, the Ministry of Finance, and other stakeholders continued intensively over two days before a compromise was reached.