Metal detectors come in many shapes and sizes, in airports for security screenings, in construction for locating metal in buildings and in the form of the well-known hand-held metal detectors that hobbyists are usually seen with hunting for treasures on a beach. These hand-held metal detectors are more commonly encountered due to their low price, however, there are legal and administrative obstacles that people need to consider before hunting for treasures on their local beaches. Metal Detectors in Cyprus are regulated by the Antiquities Law Cap. 31. This blog will cover everything you need to know about using metal detectors in Cyprus.
What is the law in Cyprus regarding commercial metal detectors? 1) Definition
Metal detectors are instruments that can detect one or more types of metal
in the earth,
underground,
at the bottom of bodies of water, or
inside building structures.
2) Licensing
In order to buy, import, manufacture and generally own a metal detector, the owner must
fill out a detector possession form (example image provided),
mail it to the Director of the Department of Antiquities to be entered into the Detection Equipment Registry,
receive notification that their licence has been issued by the Director who will also notify the police and/or the coast guard,
renew the licence every 5 years.
3) Selling
For a metal detector to be legally placed in the market, it must be visibly and clearly stated on the packaging that
they may only be used by individuals that have a licence to possess a metal detector, and
the terms of the Department of Antiquities must be followed.
4) Transferring Possession
When transferring the ownership of a metal detector to another person,
the original owner must notify the Director of the Department of Antiquities of the transfer and provide the personal details of the new owner within 15 days of the transfer while
the new owner must fill in the relevant transfer form (example image provided) and mail it to the Department of Antiquities.
5) Usage
The use of metal detectors
is restricted to licence holders,
must occur within designated areas (images 3-12)
is allowed with the permission of private property owners when any such property is inside the designated areas, and
is forbidden in archaeological, cultural or other similarly controlled areas.
6) Discovering Antiquities
In case an individual accidentally uncovers any antiquity, they must
immediately notify, and
deliver it, only if it is possible to move, to the
o local community leader, or
o closest police station, or
o the officer in charge of the Cyprus Museum, or
o the officer in charge of the closest Archaeological Museum, and
describe the area where the antiquity was found as accurately as possible.
Any individual that has accidentally uncovered any antiquity and followed the process described above will receive a receipt with a detailed description of the antiquity and its discovery from the authorised person that received it, who will also send a copy of the receipt to the Director of the Department of Antiquities. If the Director determines that the antiquity should be added to any Archaeological Museum, they will reward the finder with an amount of money they deem appropriate in the form of an award.
7) Offences
A metal detector licence may be revoked or not be issued if an individual has
not kept up with the obligations imposed by the Antiquities Law and Rules, or
been found in violation of the Antiquities Law, or
been found guilty of a criminal offence or a violation of the laws regarding the, or protection of cultural heritage, or
been found guilty of,
o forgery, or
o bribery, or
o theft, or
o illegal possession, use and possession with intent to supply controlled substances or psychotropic substances, or
o embezzlement or acceptance of proceeds of a crime, or
been in the process of getting prosecuted for one of the aforementioned crimes, or
their suspended sentence for one of the aforementioned crimes revoked.
In case the licence holder is a legal but not a natural person (i.e. a company), the violations to be considered will be those of the natural person(s) responsible for its administration.
8) Penalties
Any person that is found guilty of
Being in possession of a metal detector without a licence, or
uses metal detectors outside the designated areas
can face up to 3 years imprisonment, a fine up to €30.000 or both.
These restrictions regarding the use of metal detectors do not apply to
individuals acting in their capacity as members of the Public Service, or
a legal person under public law, or
security forces and armed forces of the Republic of Cyprus in the performance of their duties, or
people utilising them to exercise their profession (but have the burden of proof).
Similarly, any person that is found guilty of failing to comply with the process that the Antiquities Law provides for accidental antiquity discoveries can face up to 3 years imprisonment, a fine of up to €30,000 or both. Any antiquity in question would be delivered to the Director of the Department of Antiquities. The offender would also no longer be entitled to a reward for their find.
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