Verbatim
from Public Information distributed by:
The
Embassy of the United States of America
Athens,
Greece
Customs
Duty for Vehicles and Household Effects
Imported
into Greece
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Embassy in Athens. Greece. This page is meant for your
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Thank You.
Note:
This information has been obtained from Greek Customs Authorities and the
Ministry of Finance, and is accurate as of February 1997. However,
if you plan to bring property into Greece duty-free, you should obtain
current information directly from these offices:
-
Greek
Customs Office (DIPEA)
14 Frantzi Street
Tel. (01) 922-7316
-
Greek
Ministry of Finance
10 Karagiorgi Servias Street
8th Floor
Room 810
Tel. (01) 331-3400
(01) 331-3423
Ext. 184 or 185
Open to the Public: Noon - 2:00 PM
Importation
of a Car by Tourists:
A tourist
in Greece is allowed to impost into the country without payment of
duty a vehicle (car, motorcycle, etc.) intended only for his/her personal
use for the period of his/her visit. This provision applies only
to those who meet the Greek definition of a "tourist": persons arriving
in Greece who have their habitual residence abroad and stay abroad at least
185 days in a period of twelve months. A "tourist" may not engage
in any work while in Greece.
The
vehicle of such a tourist can be driven in greece for a maximum of six
months in one year. Subsequently, the car must be "immobilized",
(sealed by Greek Customs Authorities and stored in a designated parking
facility or at a place designated by the vehicle's owner).
It is not necessary for the vehicle to circulate for six consecutive months.
Every time the owner departs Greece, the vehicle must be sealed.
To circulate again after six months the precondition is that the car's
owner was abroad for those six months.
The
spouse, parents, and children of the importer may use the vehicle, provided
they are also tourists as defined above. The vehicle cannot
be transferred, leased, loaned, or donated in any other manner. Use
of the vehicle other than the private use of the owner and the members
of his/her immediate family as described above will result in fines from
250,000 drachmas to the full duties and tax for the vehicle.
If
the vehicle has been in the country "immobilized" for over six months its
owner will be asked to pay 5,000 drachmas for each day over the legal limit;
the car may be seized by the Customs Authorities if the legal limit has
been exceeded by one year.
Those
who use the special provisions of Customs regulations to import their household
items at duty-free or reduced Customs duty rates when they "repatriate"
to Greece (see below) are not permitted to import a vehicle under "tourist"
status until three years after the date of their original "repatriation".
At that time, the importer will have to provide proof that he/she has established
a permanent residence elsewhere and is a true "tourist" in Greece.
Importation
of Vehicles and Household Effects for Residence:
Persons
who are taking up legal residence in Greece ("repatriating") may be allowed
to import their vehicle and household effects with payment of Customs duty.
This special provision of Greed law can apply to someone only if he/she
is granted a residence permit before arriving
in Greece. In general, such permit is granted only to those who are
of Greek descent, are married to Greed citizens, or are also being granted
work permits. (A Greek citizen may also be allowed to use this provision
of law if he/she is moving back to Greece after having been legally residing
outside of Greece.) In any case, the person wishing to impost the
items must contact the nearest Greek consulate in his/her country of residence,
providing a list of all the items and proof of foreign residence; the Greek
Consulate will provide the certificate required for duty-free impost.
A vehicle
imported under this provision must have been owned by the person settling
in Greece for at least six months immediately prior to his/her move to
Greece. New vehicles are subject to VAT. All vehicles are subject
to the normal fees for license plates (circulation fees).
A vehicle
brought into Greece duty-free cannot be sold or transferred for one year
after import. A percentage oft he Customs duty must be paid by the
importer of the vehicle if it is sold within five years; after that time
it can be sold duty-free. The seller must appear in person at the
Customs Office to transfer ownership.
Household
effects imported under this provision are for the personal use of the importer
only and cannot be sold or otherwise transferred for one year.
| Please
be careful to comply with customs regulations:
violations can result in fines or confiscation of the items involved! |
February 1997
doc 6698C
.
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