AADE upgrades customs in Nea Orestiada, Komotini, Xanthi, and Drama
The Independent Authority for Public Revenue (AADE) has announced an organizational upgrade to the customs offices in Nea Orestiada, Komotini, Xanthi, and Drama. This move aims to strengthen their regulatory role at the border crossings along the Greek-Bulgarian border, as per the decision of AADE's Director General, Giorgos Pitsilis.
Starting from 1 January 2025, these customs offices, which previously operated as Class B (Autonomous Department level), have been upgraded to Class A-B (Directorate level, with two departments). They will be further reinforced with the establishment of a new department focused on combating smuggling, located at the border crossings.
The enhancement of customs controls at the Greek-Bulgarian border crossings will:
Expand operational capacity to monitor trade flows across the entire country.
Focus on areas with a higher risk of criminal activity, such as land borders and key transportation hubs, based on the country's specific geographical characteristics.
Improve checks along key roadways with significant trade traffic to combat smuggling of Excise Duty goods.
This organizational upgrade is deemed essential for:
Ensuring the safety of citizens and economic agents, both in Greece and the European Union.
Addressing smuggling following Bulgaria's full integration into the Schengen Area, which resulted in the lifting of checks for individuals at the land border with Bulgaria.
