For a western traveller, Greece is best known for its islands and beaches - Corfu, Mykonos, Santorini - to name a few of its 2000-plus spots of land in the Ionian and Aegean Seas. However, it is the ancient Greek civilisation that has had a profound influence on the West, particularly: democracy, philosophy, architecture, art, cinema, and literature.
Greece may have arisen 2,800 years ago, but its e-commerce economy is a product of the 21st century; not only has it been growing but Greek businesses adapted to the challenges of the pandemic. You could say their efforts were Herculean, and worthy of an Olympic medal.
Easily compare the best and cheapest shipping options to Greece through a variety of carriers using Secureship
Secureship provides safe and affordable shipping from Canada to Greece. In case you are an everyday shopper or a business,
you can easily save up to 50% on your international shipping costs by way of accessing our group buying power.
Shipments through Secureship come with full, easy to read tracking information to Greece
Tracking #:780123123123
Tel: 1-800-463-3339
Signed By: Pikwalia @ Residence
Apr 3, 2023
8:49 am
Kalambaka, KA, GR
Delivered
Apr 2, 2023
7:18 am
Ioannina, IO, GR
In transit
Apr 1, 2023
9:03 pm
Larissa, LA, GR
International Clearance
Apr 1, 2023
8:14 am
Piraeus, PI, GR
In transit
Apr 1, 2023
12:17 am
Toronto, ON, CA
In transit
Mar 31, 2023
4:30 pm
Ottawa, ON, CA
Pickup Scan
Disclaimer!
While we have made every effort to ensure that the information on this page is accurate, Customs laws and procedures change regularly so it is
important to consult a licensed broker in Greece before shipping any goods.
Types of Shipments
Not all types of shipments are created equal. Shipping a television will require different
paperwork, duties, and taxes than shipping an accounting statement, for example.
Here is a list of the most common types of shipments:
Gift shipments sent to Greece from Canada with a value of €45 (about $65 CAD) or less will be exempt from duty.
Alcoholic drinks, tobacco products, cosmetics, and perfumes may also be shipped as gifts but with certain restrictions (see table below).
Items
Restrictions
Alcoholic beverages
Maximum of 1 L of distilled spirits Maximum of 2 L of wine
Tobacco products
50 cigarettes; or
25 cigarillos (maximum weight of 3 g per item); or
10 cigars or 50 g of smoking tobacco
Perfumes or cologne
50 g or 250 mL
Coffee
500 g (extracts and essences 200 g)
Tea extracts or essences
40 g
Shipments from Individual-to-Individual
Gifts sent from an individual in Canada to an individual Greece of €45 (about $65 CAD) or less will be exempt from duty.
Some restrictions will apply to alcoholic beverages, tobacco products, cosmetics, and perfumes.
Shipments from Business-to-Business
Gifts shipped to a business in Greece from a business in Canada will incur duties and taxes no matter the value of the gift.
Shipments from Business-to-Individual
Gifts sent to an individual on behalf of a business address will also incur taxes and charges regardless of the value of the gift.
Gift Checklist
A commercial invoice must be included with your shipment
The words 'Gift Shipment' or 'Unsolicited Gift' are included on the commercial invoice, even if the shipment is sent at Christmas time
(see sample)
List the items in the parcel and write the value of each
Sending more than one gift in the parcel? Wrap and tag each one individually.
Sample Commercial Invoice for Gifts
Ship To
Invoice
Ioannis Kapodistrias Athens 157 72 Greece
Phone: +30 21 0727 7000
Carrier tracking number: 736534736
General Description:
Personal Shipment / Gift Shipment
Invoice number: 123456MGEP4916926 Customs Broker: UPS Date: 31 Mar 2023
QTY
Description of Goods
C/O
SubTotal
1 Each
Gift Shipment: LEGO Star Wars Rebel UWing Fighter, 659 piece set
CA
$79.99
Terms of Sale: None
Total number of packages: 1
Reason for export:Gifts Contact Name: James Smith
Total Invoice Amount: $79.99
Total Weight: 10.0 lbs
Declaration Statement: I hereby certify that information provided is true and complete to the best of my knowledge
Multiple Gifts in One Shipment
Sending multiple gifts in one shipment is permitted as long as individual parcels enclosed are individually wrapped and tagged and the value does not exceed the limit of €45 (about $65 CAD).
Sample Commercial Invoice for Gifts
Ship To
Invoice
Ioannis Kapodistrias Athens 157 72 Greece
Phone: +30 21 0727 7000
Carrier tracking number: 736534736
General Description:
Unsolicited Gift: Consolidated Gift Package
Invoice number: 123456MGEP4916926 Customs Broker: UPS Date: 31 Mar 2023
QTY
Description of Goods
C/O
SubTotal
1 Each
Gift - Roger: LEGO Star Wars Rebel UWing Fighter, 659 piece set
CA
$39.99
1 Each
Gift - Erica: Handwoven French Canadian Catalogne Blanket
CA
$49.99
Terms of Sale: None
Total number of packages: 1
Reason for export:Gifts Contact Name: James Smith
Total Invoice Amount: $89.98
Total Weight: 10.0 lbs
Declaration Statement: I hereby certify that information provided is true and complete to the best of my knowledge
People moving to reside in Greece can import their personal property exempt from duty and tax provided:
The intent is that they are used as household goods only
They have lived outside of Greece for least 2 consecutive years
Personal property means any items intended for the personal use of its owner and his or her family members. These goods include:
Household furniture and appliances
Clothing and linens
Portable instruments required for the practice of a profession or trade
NOTE: The following items are excluded from duty exemption:
Alcoholic beverages
Tobacco and tobacco products
Materials for professional use
Moving Temporarily
Students
Students moving to Greece temporarily to study may ship their personal belongings duty-free. They must provide proof of enrollment in an educational institution and a photocopy of their passport.
Personal belongings include:
Educational materials (paper, pens, calculator, computer, and books)
Furniture used for studying such as a chair and a desk
Household goods such as linens, footwear, and clothing
Non-Students
Non-students moving to live in Greece temporarily can import their goods without incurring duty and tax provided they are intended to be used as household goods and:
They have lived outside of Greece for at least 2 consecutive years
They must provide documentation such as an employment contract or certificate from an employer
Proof of residence in Greece or a certificate of registration
Moving Permanently
Returning Greek citizens may ship their goods free of duty providing:
They have lived outside Greece for more than 6 months (consecutive or not) per 12-month period before moving to Greece
All required documents have been approved by Greek Customs prior to the arrival of shipment
Personal Effects Checklist
A commercial invoice must be included with your shipment
Commercial invoice must clearly indicate 'Personal Effects' (see sample)
A detailed description of each item is provided
For students, proof of enrollment in a Greek educational institution
Sample Commercial Invoice for Food, Chocolate, Candies
Ship To
Invoice
Ioannis Kapodistrias Athens 157 72 Greece
Phone: +30 21 0727 7000
Carrier tracking number: 736534736
General Description:
Food Shipment - Assorted chocolate bars in their original manufacturer's packaging
Invoice number: 123456MGEP4916926 Customs Broker: UPS Date: 31 Mar 2023
QTY
Description of Goods
C/O
SubTotal
1 Box
Nestle Chocolate Bars in original packaging expiring May 2021 (shelf life of 6 months or longer)
CA
$20.00
Terms of Sale: None
Total number of packages: 1
Reason for export:Permanent / Sold Contact Name: James Smith
Total Invoice Amount: $20.00
Total Weight: 10.0 lbs
Declaration Statement: I hereby certify that information provided is true and complete to the best of my knowledge
Samples
Commercial samples are shipped for demonstration purposes at exhibitions, meetings, and trade fairs.
The intention is to promote future purchases by encouraging people to place orders of the samples, not to sell them.
Samples shipped from Canada to Greece may qualify for duty-free entry if:
Shipment weighs no more than 10 kg
They are of negligible value - maximum of €22 (about $32 CAD)
The goods are supplied directly from outside Greece
They are intended to promote orders of the product
NOTE: An ATA carnet can be used to ship samples with no commercial value. See Temporary Imports section for more details.
Commercial Sample Checklist
A Commercial Invoice must be included with your shipment
Clearly indicate 'Commercial Samples' on the commercial invoice in the General Description & Detailed Description of Goods (see sample)
The item shipped has tearing, perforation, slashing, defacing, or has permanent marking clearing indicating the item as commercial sample
Carrier tracking number: 736534736
General Description:
Commercial Sample - Not for Resale
Invoice number: 123456MGEP4916926 Customs Broker: UPS Date: 31 Mar 2023
QTY
Description of Goods
C/O
SubTotal
1 Box
Commercial Sample - Advanced reading copy of Dan Brown's novel.
CA
$20.00
Terms of Sale: None
Total number of packages: 1
Reason for export:Commercial Sample Contact Name: James Smith
Total Invoice Amount: $20.00
Total Weight: 10.0 lbs
Declaration Statement: I hereby certify that information provided is true and complete to the best of my knowledge
Advertising Material
Printed material shipped to Greece from Canada is exempt from duty provided it is intended solely for advertising purposes. These items include:
Calendars
Catalogues
Instructions for use
Posters, brochures
Price lists
Unframed photographs
When shipping advertising material to Greece from Canada, ensure that:
Forms clearly show the name of the company that produces, sells, or leases the goods or that supplies the advertised services
A shipment with printed advertisements is restricted to a single product or service
Package weight is a maximum of 1 kg
Advertising material shipped for display at an exhibition, a fair or conferences may also be sent using an
ATA carnet. See Temporary Imports for details.
Advertising Material Checklist
Commercial invoice must clearly indicate 'Promotional Material - Not for Resale' (see sample)
A detailed description of each item is provided
A commercial invoice must be included with your shipment
Sample Commercial Invoice for Promotional Material
Ship To
Invoice
Ioannis Kapodistrias Athens 157 72 Greece
Phone: +30 21 0727 7000
Carrier tracking number: 736534736
General Description:
Promotional Material - Not for Resale
Invoice number: 123456MGEP4916926 Customs Broker: UPS Date: 31 Mar 2023
QTY
Description of Goods
C/O
SubTotal
1 Each
Promotional Material: Not for Resale. Product pamphlets to hand out at trade show.
CA
$163.00
Terms of Sale: None
Total number of packages: 1
Reason for export:Promotional Material Contact Name: James Smith
Total Invoice Amount: $163.00
Total Weight: 10.0 lbs
Declaration Statement: I hereby certify that information provided is true and complete to the best of my knowledge
Repairs
Sending a piece of equipment to be repaired in Greece is straightforward. Items shipped from Canada to Greece for repair will be duty and VAT free provided they are under warranty.
Similarly, free warranty repairs done in Canada and returned to Greece will not incur VAT.
Items Under Warranty
As Canada and Greece have a free-trade agreement (CETA), repairs under warranty returning to Canada from Greece are duty-free and will not be charged GST.
Items No Longer Under Warranty
Equipment no longer under warranty returning to Canada from Greece for repairs will be charged GST. The GST will be charged on the value of the repair and on any parts required for the repair.
Sending Product for Repair to Greece
Sending equipment for repair to Greece will be exempt from duty and VAT as long as the equipment was repaired under warranty.
Returning Repaired Product to Greece
When equipment under a warranty is sent to Canada it will not incur duty and taxes when they re-enter Greece.
Repair Checklist
Commercial invoice must clearly indicate 'REPAIR & RETURN' under the General Description or Remarks, and include the estimated time of return
(see sample)
Include repair contract with shipment
Serial or product number and the cost of repairs should be indicated under the Detailed Description of Goods section
Include the original shipping documents or tracking number from when the item was first exported to Greece or exported to Canada (depending on which case applies)
A commercial invoice must be included with your shipment
Carrier tracking number: 736534736
General Description:
Repair and Return - Watch being sent for repair
Invoice number: 123456MGEP4916926 Customs Broker: UPS Date: 31 Mar 2023
QTY
Description of Goods
C/O
SubTotal
1 Each
Fossil Watch being sent for repair - Model E5, serial # 789456FG7E2 - Repair Cost $76.00
US
$163.00
Terms of Sale: None
Total number of packages: 1
Reason for export:Warranty Repair Contact Name: James Smith
Total Invoice Amount: $163.00
Total Weight: 10.0 lbs
Declaration Statement: I hereby certify that information provided is true and complete to the best of my knowledge
Temporary Imports
Importing goods temporarily into Greece will be exempt from duties and taxes for a period up to 24 months.
These temporary imports may include an article shipped to Greece for repair or for display at an exhibition.
Temporary imports often include the following:
Commercial samples
Items that will be used or displayed at an exhibition, fair, or trade show
Professional and scientific equipment
Tools and specialised equipment required for repairing, exploring, producing, or manufacturing
Instruments required to evaluate and test the operation of other goods and equipment
Materials and goods to be used for entertainment, for example concerts and artistic events
Qualifying for Duty & Tax Free Temporary Import
In order to import your goods duty and tax free into Greece, you can pick from Option 1 or 2 of the Temporary Import Methods listed below.
Each option has its pros and cons. Regardless, each of the following methods requires you to complete a Commercial Invoice (CI). More details below.
Option #
Temporary Import Method
Risk of paying
1
Commercial Invoice Only (no other documentation is provided)
High - if broker cannot clear goods temporarily
2
Commercial Invoice
+
ATA Carnet
Very Low
1. Complete a Commercial Invoice (CI) only
This is the simplest and quickest option. See example.
NOTE: You should be aware that shipping using this method doesn't guarantee that your items will be imported duty/tax free.
Not all brokers will clear goods as temporary imports (i.e. UPS, FedEx, DHL) nor is it a guarantee that customs won't charge any duties and taxes.
2. Commercial Invoice (CI) + an ATA Carnet
Completing an ATA Carnet is great option for items that frequently travel in and out of the country.
It's also great because once you have an ATA Carnet, it is accepted by 176 countries worldwide making the application process a one-time thing.
In addition to declaring your commercial invoice as a temporary import, you can get an ATA Carnet for the items that are of temporary nature.
ATA Carnets are beyond the scope of the article however, you can find more information here:
http://www.chamber.ca/carnet/
NOTE: It is highly recommended to get an ATA Carnet for items that frequently
travel in and out of the country and especially so when it is valued over $2,500 USD
In addition to the 2 options above, the following conditions must also be met in order to qualify for a duty and VAT free exemption:
Stay no longer than 24 months in Greece
The goods arrive and leave in the same condition, i.e. they undergo no repairs nor are they used in manufacturing
NOTE:
If the above conditions are not followed, duties and taxes will be charged as though the goods have been imported permanently.
Your Customs broker can clear goods of a temporary nature (FedEx, UPS, DHL, etc. typically CANNOT clear goods of temporary nature)
Temporary Imports Checklist
Commercial Invoice clearly stating 'Temporary Import'. This must be written in the General Description section and the Detailed Description of Goods.
(see sample)
The goods arrive and leave in the same condition, i.e. they undergo no repairs nor are they used in manufacturing
Stay no longer than the period listed above
Include your ATA Carnet with your shipment (if applicable)
Include the expected return date or the date that it was originally received within the country (whichever applies)
Any above listed items not listed in this checklist
Sample Commercial Invoice for Permanent/Sold Goods
Ship To
Invoice
Ioannis Kapodistrias Athens 157 72 Greece
Phone: +30 21 0727 7000
Carrier tracking number: 736534736
General Description:
Permanent/Sold: Parts and accessories for Canon B78n camera
Invoice number: 123456MGEP4916926 Customs Broker: UPS Date: 31 Mar 2023
QTY
Description of Goods
C/O
SubTotal
15 Each
Camera Lenses: Canon EF 50mm, Canon EF 85mm & wide-angle lenses.
CA
$132.00
Terms of Sale: None
Total number of packages: 1
Reason for export:Permanent/Sold Contact Name: James Smith
Total Invoice Amount: $1980.00
Total Weight: 10.0 lbs
Declaration Statement: I hereby certify that information provided is true and complete to the best of my knowledge
Required Documents
Shipping packages internationally requires a lot of documentation. This process alone can be confusing and time-consuming.
So we’ve narrowed down what documents you might need and ranked them based on likeliness of being needed.
Document Type
When?
Details
Shipping Label / Bill of Lading
Always required
This is a label provided by the carrier (UPS, FedEx, DHL, etc.). Always required because the carrier needs to know the parcel's destination.
Commercial Invoice
Required for all non-document shipments
For all non-document shipments, you will require 3 copies of the commercial invoice (to be included with your shipping labels).
These are for customs purposes and need to be included inside a document pouch outside of the box.
When creating a shipment through the Secureship website, the system will help you create this document automatically.
B13a
Required if value exceeds $2,000 per shipment or is a controlled good
A B13a is required if your shipment exceeds $2000 CAD or is a controlled good
and is destined to a country other than the US, Puerto Rico, or the US Virgin Islands
Canada has a preferential trade agreement with Greece. A COO proves that an item has been produced, manufactured or processed in Canada.
When an item with a COO is imported into Greece, it will incur a reduced or zero-rated import duty.
Certificate of Insurance (COI)
Infrequently required
Shows that the shipment has been insured.
Banks may request a certificate of insurance when providing letters of credit for the goods. Otherwise,
it is generally your choice whether to purchase insurance for the shipment.
ATA Carnet
Infrequently required
Used to avoid duties and taxes on shipments of temporary nature.
If you ship goods of temporary nature to and from a country, you can obtain an ATA Carnet to expedite the customs clearance process and
ensure that anything of temporary nature is not charged duties and taxes.
No specific form is required, but generally includes information regarding:
The exporter, importer and transport company
Date of issue
Number of freight invoice
Type and number of packages
Contents of each package
Marks and numbers
Net weight, gross weight and measurements of each package
Prohibited & Restricted Imports
Prohibited goods are not allowed to be shipped to Greece while restricted goods indicate there are rules that apply to the amount or who may send them.
Prohibited Items
Narcotics and psychotropic drugs
Firearms and ammunition
Counterfeit goods
Margarine of animal origin
Perishable items
Printed material offensive or counter to the public order or morality of Greece
Toys, playing cards, and games containing copper sulphate
Cross-border online purchases of tobacco products (e.g. cigarettes, cigars, e-cigarettes, refill liquids) are strictly prohibited for individuals
Restricted Items
Medicines
Furniture
Vegetables and derived products
Plants and plant products for personal consumption (5 kg/person)
Shipments to Greece have VAT and duty charges calculated using the CIF method, i.e. the sum of the customs value plus insurance fees plus freight costs.
CIF Value = Customs Value + Insurance Amount + Freight Costs
By knowing the CIF value of a shipment, you will be able to predict the duty and taxes owed by the recipient.
Thresholds
Some countries provide a duty and tax threshold (also called the de minimis value), which means that below a certain amount no duty or taxes are incurred on the import of that shipment.
In Greece, a shipment valued at €150 (about $220 CAD) or less will be exempt from duty; however, it will incur VAT regardless of its value.
Currency
Euro €
Duty Exemption (De minimis Value)
€150 (about $220 CAD)
Duty Calculation Method
CIF
TAX (VAT)
24%
Tax Exemption
(De minimis Value)
€0*
Tax Calculation Method
CIF
*From 1 July 2021, all shipments to Greece will incur VAT regardless of their value.
NOTE: Even if an item was purchased before July 1, 2021 but arrives in Greece on or before 30 June 2021 but arrives in Greece on July 1 or later it will incur VAT.
Duties on Imports
Excise Taxes
Greece imposes excise duties on:
Alcoholic beverages and beverages containing added sugar or other sweetening matter
Tobacco and tobacco products
Luxury Tax
While CETA has reduced or removed duties on many goods traded between Canada and Greece, the following items will incur a luxury tax upon entry to Greece:
Furs
Animal skins
Pearls and jewellery
Precious metals and items coated with precious metals
You can purchase
insurance
through Secureship and it is provided by the carrier that will be transporting your shipment.
Each carrier will charge a different amount per $100 of declared insurance. If you indicate that you need insurance for your shipment our system will automatically include the insurance costs for your shipment.
Insurance is great to have in case your package is accidentally lost or damaged by the carrier. But be careful, not everything you ship is insurable. Worse - even if your package contains items that are insurable, if it doesn’t meet the ISTA 3A packaging standard, the insurance purchased through the carrier would not be available to you.
Here are some items that cannot be insured by the carrier:
Personal belongings
Antiques
Artwork
Liquids (including alcohol)
Televisions
Jewellery in excess of $500
Perishable goods
Glass or Ceramic
And many more items
For more information, please see the carrier's terms and conditions.
Shipping to Greece from Canada can take between 3-5 business days through the fastest carriers available on the Secureship platform.
More economical services, such as Canada Post, can take up to 1-2 months to complete the delivery.
