Shipping to Greece: the complete guide

"Γεια σου!" That's Greek for "Hello!" In that spirit, welcome to our guide on how to ship your parcel to Greece, with the key formalities plus practical tips so your products reach Greek customers without a hitch.

Why it's worth shipping to Greece

Greece, a country of around 11 million people spread across the mainland and many islands, is more receptive to cross-border shopping than you might expect: over 67% of Greeks say they're willing to order products from abroad. Internet usage, while still below the EU average, has risen steadily year on year, so there's real development potential. In short, it's already worth shipping to Greece and delighting Greek customers with your products.

How long does delivery to Greece take?

Although Greece is part of the EU, keep in mind that it's a long way from Central Europe, so delivery takes noticeably longer than to nearer countries like France, Austria, or Italy.

Our consumer research across Europe found that shoppers expect to wait around 3 days for standard shipping, with a maximum tolerated wait of about 4.5 days. Since several standard services to Greece exceed that, express shipping is the answer:

With express, a parcel to Greece takes just 1 to 2 days, so you exceed your customers' expectations and compete easily with local retailers. Give customers the choice of shipping method at checkout, which Sendcloud makes easy across the most popular carriers.

How much does shipping to Greece cost?

Shipping costs are always a balancing act. Some findings on European shoppers from our consumer research:

• For over 65%, shipping costs that are too high are a reason to abandon the checkout.

• 27% don't want to pay for shipping at all.

• On a €15 order, shoppers don't want to pay more than about €4.20 for shipping on average.

• 70% will add another product to the cart if it means they qualify for free shipping.

Sendcloud helps with pre-negotiated rates, so you ship internationally as affordably as possible and keep costs low for your customers.

How to address a parcel to Greece

To make sure your parcel reaches your customer without trouble, get the address right. A correct Greek address looks like this:

Mr. Ilias KARADIMAS
38, CHEIDEN
104 34 ATHINA
GREECE

Tip: add the recipient's phone number to the parcel so any delivery issues can be resolved quickly.

Can my customer track their parcel?

Yes. Your customers in Greece can track their parcel, and they expect to: our research found shoppers especially want updates when the parcel leaves the warehouse, is handed to the carrier, and is on its way, with more than 64% wanting email notifications. With Sendcloud's tracking you set up personalized tracking emails in a few clicks, with your logo and color scheme, your Instagram feed, and a promotional banner. Best of all, tracking emails adapt automatically to your customer's language, so a customer in Greece sees "Η παραγγελία έχει αποσταλεί" instead of "Order shipped".

What to keep in mind for customs

The good news first: as an EU member, Greece spares you the customs documents otherwise required for international shipping, so neither the customs declaration (CN22/CN23) nor a commercial invoice is needed, and you don't have to deal with Incoterms or HS tariff codes. Even so, as within any EU country, some goods are restricted:

• Medicines and controlled substances

• Cash

• Chemicals

• Dual-use goods (also usable militarily)

• Cultural goods

• Counterfeit (branded) products

• Plants and plant products

• Media harmful to minors or unconstitutional content

• Weapons and explosives

Watch out for public holidays

Deliveries can slow down around Greek public holidays, which include New Year's Day (January 1), Epiphany (January 6), Clean Monday, Independence Day (March 25), Orthodox Good Friday and Easter Monday, Labour Day (May 1), Whit Monday, Assumption Day (August 15), Ohi Day (October 28), and Christmas (December 25 and 26). Note that Orthodox Easter often falls on a different date than Western Easter, so check the calendar before peak periods.

Can I sell to Greece through Amazon?

Amazon isn't active in Greece (type "amazon.gr" and you land on Amazon's UK domain). Selling to Greece through Amazon is technically possible, but we'd advise against it: the site isn't in Greek, transit times are long, and shipping costs are high, which won't make for happy Greek customers. If you want a marketplace to enter the market, look at ones active in Greece instead, such as Spartoo.gr (fashion), Chrono24.gr (watches), and Groupon.gr. All in all, though, shipping to Greece through your own store tends to make the most sense.

The main carriers for shipping to Greece

DHL

DHL Parcel International suits small and large goods (max. 120 x 60 x 60 cm, up to 31.5 kg), and DHL Express is available for speed.

DPD

DPD offers sizes XS to XL, each up to 20 kg, from 35 cm (shortest plus longest side) for XS up to 300 cm girth for XL, plus DPD Express.

UPS

UPS Standard handles up to 70 kg, girth up to 400 cm, and length up to 274 cm, plus UPS Express, UPS Express Saver, and UPS Worldwide Express Freight.

GLS

GLS offers EuroBusinessParcel (up to 40 kg; length 200 cm, height 60 cm, width 80 cm; girth up to 300 cm) and EuroExpressParcel (up to 50 kg).

How Sendcloud helps you ship to Greece

Sendcloud's shipping software helps you ship flexibly across the most popular carriers, print labels in one click, automate with smart shipping rules, integrate your shop systems and marketplaces, offer personalized tracking, and run a customer-friendly returns portal. Questions about shipping to Greece? Get in touch with our shipping experts.