New fees on parcels from outside the EU take effect November 1

An additional €2 handling fee per distinct product category will apply from November 1 to parcels purchased online and shipped directly from countries outside the European Union, according to ERT.

The new charge will be added to the existing €3 customs duty introduced on July 1 for shipments valued at up to €150.

As a result, a parcel worth up to €150 containing products from one customs category will incur a total charge of €5. If it contains products from two different categories, such as clothing and an accessory, the total will rise to €10.

Five identical pairs of trousers, for example, will count as one category and incur a combined charge of €5.

The fees are calculated per customs declaration line rather than necessarily per physical parcel. The €3 duty applies to shipments valued at up to €150, while the new €2 handling fee also applies to shipments exceeding that value.

The charge is imposed on the business or entity submitting the customs declaration. Online platforms and shipping companies may pass the cost on to consumers through product prices or delivery fees.

Retailers call for equal rules and stronger controls

Commenting on the changes, Athens Commercial Association Vice President Makis Savvidis told ERT that the additional charges would not be sufficient to curb demand for international online shopping platforms.

He called for the same tax and customs rules to apply to all businesses selling in the Greek market, regardless of where they are based, alongside stronger checks to ensure product safety.

Savvidis said Greek retailers had limited scope to reduce prices further, citing rising operating costs and profit margins below 5%.

As an alternative to strengthen domestic commerce, he proposed creating a Greek online marketplace featuring domestic products and international brands, allowing Greek businesses to sell both within Greece and abroad.