Greek tax authority says border delays at Ipsala crossing are outside its remit

Greece’s Independent Authority for Public Revenue (AADE) has rejected responsibility for delays at the Kipi (Kipoi) land border crossing with Türkiye, saying that the operation and infrastructure of the country’s land border stations fall outside the remit of the customs service.

The clarification came in response to a letter from the General Confederation of Professional Craftsmen and Merchants of Greece (GSEVEE), which had raised concerns over lengthy delays at the Kipi border crossing following an initiative by the Federation of Professional, Craft and Commercial Associations of Evros (Meriç).

According to AADE, the legal framework, including Law 5143/2024, defines the organization and operation of land border stations and assigns responsibility for their various aspects to the relevant authorities.

AADE said customs offices at land border crossings are responsible for duties established under EU and national customs legislation, including checks on incoming and outgoing goods, means of transport and passengers.

However, the customs service does not have responsibility for waiting and rest facilities or for the broader infrastructure of border stations, the authority said.

EES-related delays also outside customs authority
AADE also addressed potential delays associated with the Schengen Entry/Exit System (EES).

The authority noted that EES concerns passport checks on third-country nationals entering the European Union for short stays. These checks are carried out by police authorities rather than customs officials.

AADE therefore said that any delays at the Kipi border crossing caused by the implementation of EES fall outside the responsibility of the customs service.

At the same time, AADE highlighted measures it has taken within its own remit to modernize customs procedures at Greece’s land borders and reduce waiting times.

Two digital applications were introduced in 2025.

The first, launched on July 28, 2025, created a unified digital system for registering incoming and outgoing trucks and buses at all land border customs offices. AADE said the system replaced previous paper-based procedures and contributed to reducing waiting times for customs checks.

A second application, launched on August 1, 2025, introduced digital declarations for cash carried through Greece’s entry and exit points, including land border crossings. According to AADE, the digital process simplifies and accelerates the submission of the required declarations.

AADE also said work is underway on an Integrated Monitoring System for Incoming Trucks and Containers. The system is intended to digitize and automate a range of customs checks, with the stated aim of further improving and speeding up border procedures.

The response comes amid continued concerns over lengthy waits at the Kipi crossing, a major land gateway between Greece and Türkiye.