The Ministry of External via the deputy Minister of External Affairs, under his capacity of Head of the Interministerial Commission for Brexit, Mr. Miltiadis Varvitsiotis, and the Independent Authority of Public Revenues, via the Administrator, Mr. George Pitsilis, following a close co-operation and coordination for the exit of United Kingdom from EU and for the better update of citizens and businesses underline the following:
From 1.1.2021, United Kingdom is considered outside the EU customs zone of, and therefore, the product and goods shipments amongst the two parties are subject to custom control (pursuant to EU Regulation 952/2013). In this context, the following are noted:
For commodities which are originated in the United Kingdom:
- No duty is imposed (“Zero preference duty”)
- An import VAT is imposed (according to national factors per product)
- Any restrictions, prohibitions and licenses per commodity and product (according to European and national legislation) are checked
For commodities which are originated in third countries but are imported to Greece through United Kingdom, a duty is imposed.
Depending on the shipment kind (commercial or non-commercial), the value of the products and the way of entrance/ transportation in our country (ex. transportation via mail or courier, personal travel luggage), special custom procedures are followed to facilitate and simplify the process and relevant duty and tax exemptions are imposed.
Finally, it is noted that custom offices do NOT impose any other charge.
Custom duties, which are imposed by transportation companies and post offices/carriers, remaining fees for provided services (ex. custom representation) and costs for several rights (storage, factoring, warrants) are subject to contractual relations between the transport agent and the client/receiver.
The consumer is entitled to search and be promptly updated for the above. Correspondently, the custom companies or other service provides (ex. transport companies) are obligated to provide full update for additional costs which may emerge during the transaction under the new regime which is in implicated from 1.1.2021.