# Greece (GR) **Capital:** Athens **Currency:** Euro (EUR) (EUR) **Population:** 10,375,764 — Older stored figure; source year not documented. **Area:** 131,957 km² > As an EU and eurozone member, Greece is fully integrated into the EU customs union. Piraeus is one of Europe's largest container transshipment hubs and a gateway for Asia-Europe supply chains, while Thessaloniki serves the Balkan hinterland. Import VAT is 24 percent (reduced 13 and 6 percent). Customs are cleared electronically via the AADE ICISnet system. Greece is a parliamentary republic in south-eastern Europe on the Balkan peninsula, with thousands of islands in the Aegean and Ionian Seas. As an EU and eurozone member it is fully integrated into the EU single market and customs union, using the euro (EUR). Its economy centres on services, tourism, shipping, agriculture and manufacturing. Strategically located between Europe, the Middle East and North Africa, Greece is a key Mediterranean logistics hub: the port of Piraeus is one of Europe's largest container gateways, while Thessaloniki connects the Balkan hinterland. A developed road and rail network supports its transit and supply-chain role. **Top Import Partners:** DE, IT, CN, NL, RU **Top Export Partners:** IT, DE, TR, CY, US **Top Import Goods:** Crude oil, Machinery, Vehicles, Chemicals, Pharmaceuticals **Top Export Goods:** Petroleum products, Foodstuffs, Chemicals, Textiles, Metals **Key Airports:** - [Athens Eleftherios Venizelos International Airport (ATH)](https://www.freight-academy.com/en/information/airports/athens-eleftherios-venizelos-international-airport-ath) - [Heraklion International Nikos Kazantzakis Airport (HER)](https://www.freight-academy.com/en/information/airports/heraklion-international-nikos-kazantzakis-airport-her) - [Thessaloniki Macedonia International Airport (SKG)](https://www.freight-academy.com/en/information/airports/thessaloniki-macedonia-international-airport-skg) - [Aktion National Airport (PVK)](https://www.freight-academy.com/en/information/airports/aktion-national-airport-pvk) - [Alexandroupoli Democritus Airport (AXD)](https://www.freight-academy.com/en/information/airports/alexandroupoli-democritus-airport-axd) - [Andravida Air Base (PYR)](https://www.freight-academy.com/en/information/airports/andravida-air-base-airport-pyr) - [Chania International Airport (CHQ)](https://www.freight-academy.com/en/information/airports/chania-international-airport-chq) - [Chios Island National Airport (JKH)](https://www.freight-academy.com/en/information/airports/chios-island-national-airport-jkh) - [Corfu Ioannis Kapodistrias International Airport (CFU)](https://www.freight-academy.com/en/information/airports/corfu-ioannis-kapodistrias-international-airport-cfu) - [Diagoras Airport (RHO)](https://www.freight-academy.com/en/information/airports/diagoras-airport-rho) **Key Seaports:** - [Piraievs (GR PIR)](https://www.freight-academy.com/en/information/seaports/piraievs-port-gr-pir) - [Alexandroupoli (GR AXD)](https://www.freight-academy.com/en/information/seaports/alexandroupoli-port-gr-axd) - [Iraklion (GR HER)](https://www.freight-academy.com/en/information/seaports/iraklion-port-gr-her) - [Kerkira (GR CFU)](https://www.freight-academy.com/en/information/seaports/kerkira-port-gr-cfu) - [Ormos Aliveriou (GR LVR)](https://www.freight-academy.com/en/information/seaports/ormos-aliveriou-port-gr-lvr) - [Soudha (GR SDH)](https://www.freight-academy.com/en/information/seaports/soudha-port-gr-sdh) - [Thessaloniki (GR SKG)](https://www.freight-academy.com/en/information/seaports/thessaloniki-port-gr-skg) - [Volos (GR VOL)](https://www.freight-academy.com/en/information/seaports/volos-port-gr-vol) - [Astakos (GR AST)](https://www.freight-academy.com/en/information/seaports/astakos-port-gr-ast) - [Kalamata (GR KLX)](https://www.freight-academy.com/en/information/seaports/kalamata-port-gr-klx) ## Customs & Import **Import VAT:** Import VAT (FPA) 24 percent standard **Customs complexity:** medium **Customs system:** EU customs union under the UCC; electronic import declaration via ICISnet (AADE), supported by TARIC. Third-country goods are released for free circulation, with a pre-arrival ENS filing before arrival. **Customs authority:** [Independent Authority for Public Revenue (AADE)](https://www.aade.gr) ## Logistics & Risk **Logistics role:** Maritime hub and gateway of Southeast Europe **Economic area:** EU / Eurozone **Logistics risk:** low to medium **Dangerous goods relevance:** medium to high **Pharma/cold chain:** medium ## FAQ ### What import VAT applies in Greece? The standard VAT (FPA) rate is 24 percent. Reduced rates of 13 and 6 percent apply to certain goods; from January 2026 lower rates apply on 24 small islands. ### Do I need a customs declaration for EU shipments? No. Greece is part of the EU single market and customs union; goods from other EU states move duty-free. A customs declaration is only required for trade with non-EU countries. ### Which system handles customs clearance? Customs are processed electronically via ICISnet, run by the Independent Authority for Public Revenue (AADE), covering import, export (ECS) and entry summary (ENS) declarations. ### What is Greece's most important port? Piraeus is the largest port and one of Europe's biggest container transshipment hubs, operated by PCT/COSCO. Thessaloniki is the second-largest port and gateway to the Balkans. ### Do export controls or sanctions apply in Greece? Yes. The EU Dual-Use Regulation (EU) 2021/821 and EU sanctions regimes apply directly. Oversight lies with AADE and the Ministry of Foreign Affairs. ### What currency is used in Greece? Greece is a eurozone member; the legal tender is the euro (EUR). ## Sources & Last Verified - [https://www.aade.gr/en/customs](https://www.aade.gr/en/customs) - [https://www.aade.gr](https://www.aade.gr) - [https://www.vatcalc.com/greece/greece-vat-guide/](https://www.vatcalc.com/greece/greece-vat-guide/) - [https://www.vatupdate.com/2026/01/01/greece-cuts-vat-by-30-for-24-small-islands-starting-january-2026-excluding-tobacco-and-transport/](https://www.vatupdate.com/2026/01/01/greece-cuts-vat-by-30-for-24-small-islands-starting-january-2026-excluding-tobacco-and-transport/) - [https://www.aade.gr/en/imports-imports-system](https://www.aade.gr/en/imports-imports-system) - [https://www.aade.gr/en/ecs-exports-control-system](https://www.aade.gr/en/ecs-exports-control-system) - [https://www.aade.gr/en/ics-ens-declaratives](https://www.aade.gr/en/ics-ens-declaratives) - [https://www.statistics.gr/en/greece-in-figures](https://www.statistics.gr/en/greece-in-figures) *Last verified: 2026-07-23* --- *Freight Academy — Country Profile: [https://www.freight-academy.com/en/information/land/gr](https://www.freight-academy.com/en/information/land/gr)* *Markdown mirror: [https://www.freight-academy.com/api/md/country/en/gr](https://www.freight-academy.com/api/md/country/en/gr)*