Posting to Cyprus costing a fortune!!!

paul9619

I am soon to be posted to Cyprus and I am looking at either buying a car there or shipping mine over.

The cost of both is actually really expensive. I find it amazing that serving personnel who get posted abroad should actually end up out of pocket. After a bit of research here are my current options:

Option 1. Ship my current car out there (Volvo S60 2.0L) costing £1000 to ship and then around £900 to register with the Cypriot authorities.

Option 2. Sell my current car and then buy an alternative out in Cyprus. Upon looking in the Cypriot autotrader buying an equivelent to my car would cost around 9000 - 11000 Euros (which is pretty much the same in pounds) So the prices at the moment are very expensive. I would sell my car for around £3500, so I would need to downgrade to a clapped out old ford fiesta or something like that (No chance)

Option 3. Sell my current car. Buy a car in the UK that is less than a 1.6L engine and then pay £1000 to ship it and then it will cost around £300 to register.

Option 4. Don't even bother with a car (Yeah like that should be allowed to happen)

The point I am trying to make is that I am either going to be out of pocket around £1500 or I am going to have to substantially downgrade to a really old car. The only allowance you get is your normal Disturbance allowance of £1000 (Which is supposed to cover other expenses) and your LOA allowance in Cyprus, which again covers you for the expensive prices of food etc in Cyprus.

Pretty shocking really that the Military do not fit some of the bill for shipping a car.

Anyway rant over. Maybe there is an allowance I am unaware of

socrates

There are a few expats that run forums (generally and for Cyprus specifically) they will know a LOT more

I am also sure you can buy a car over there and can claim taxes back on it up to 6 or 7 thousand Euros in total.

However Cyprus does seem to be the European Union when its suits them and not when it comes to cars and import tax.

Do you not know anyone who is already over there who can advise you?

I will do some digging around anyway.

Alias_Omega

Unsure if your Army or RAF,

But pick up the telephone, and ask them where you are going.

There will be a car pool that you can buy a car when you arrive, or even borrow one.

Sell the car in the uk, no point shipping it unless you know a ALM, but its the first to go out of the back if the aircraft has a problem.

paul9619

socrates wrote: »

There are a few expats that run forums (generally and for Cyprus specifically) they will know a LOT more

I am also sure you can buy a car over there and can claim taxes back on it up to 6 or 7 thousand Euros in total.

However Cyprus does seem to be the European Union when its suits them and not when it comes to cars and import tax.

Do you not know anyone who is already over there who can advise you?

I will do some digging around anyway.

I have had some advice already yes and the cheapest option would probably be option 3. I can afford to do it, I just find it amazing that the military do not provide any funding to help with the costs, after all most people are not choosing to live abroad.

The costs above do not include Import duty, which military personnel do get waivered. If you added that on then you would be looking at an extra £2500

paul9619

Alias_Omega wrote: »

Unsure if your Army or RAF,

But pick up the telephone, and ask them where you are going.

There will be a car pool that you can buy a car when you arrive, or even borrow one.

Sell the car in the uk, no point shipping it unless you know a ALM, but its the first to go out of the back if the aircraft has a problem.

I am Army, think the car pool is a bit hit and miss where I am going and really depends who is selling when you arrive. I am off to a nice little place just north of Dhekelia.

gt568

Just but a car off somebody who is returning to the UK....there will be planty for sale...Cyp roads aren't brilliant anyway...

Ivrytwr3

Why would you want to take your own motor out there? It's like Wacky Races on them roads!!

You are aware that one of the perks of a posting to Cyprus is a tax free car?

What most people do who need a car, is look on the sales and wants boards as there are always military/civilian personnel flogging theirs. So pick up a cheapy one to run around in and while you're out there, or before you come back, buy a brand new motor (tax free) to bring back with you!!

btw you aren't going to be out of pocket because of the military, it's your choice to have a car.

Alias_Omega

Im sure you can turn down the posting, if its too much hassle.

Ring your drafter up, and tell them you cant go / dont want to go.

cgsac

You are right it does cost to get the car over ( I shipped mine over).
I got it indulged back (for free). So yeah it did cost getting on for 2k with duty etc.

however my car would have cost a lot more to buy there and selling it in UK would have lost much more on depecreciation. Saying that there is a good 2nd hand car market there, people always on the go and looking to sell.

With fuel at 70p a litre and LOA a good 300-400 quid a month extra you won't notice the cost believe me.

Alternatively lots of folk get motoribikes or scooters, great fun and dirt cheap if you are single. Cyprus was and always will be the best posting the UK military gets.....hwoever you make it what you want.

Where else are you going to get a UK wage for living in the Med (apart from Gib).

J_B

socrates wrote: »

There are a few expats that run forums.

http://easterncyprus.com

http://www.cyprusliving.org

hamilet

Ivrytwr3 wrote: »

Why would you want to take your own motor out there? It's like Wacky Races on them roads!!

Fully agree, with mud flaps indicating to go Right or Left, does it really inspire confidence in the local drivers??!!!