How to Ship to Greece from the US

Greece has a growing ecommerce market and a large Greek diaspora in the US that regularly ships packages to family back home. US goods including electronics, clothing, books, and health products are commonly requested. As an EU member, Greece follows EU customs and VAT rules for international imports.

Greek VAT (FPA) is 24% and applies to all commercial imports from non-EU countries — no minimum threshold since July 2021. Packages over €150 (~$165 USD) also face EU import duties. Greek customs (AADE) can sometimes be slow — transit through ELTA (Hellenic Post) in particular can have delays. Premium couriers tend to clear faster.

Carrier Options to Greece

USPS Priority Mail International

8-14 business days. Final delivery by ELTA (Hellenic Post). Can be slower than estimated — customs delays are common.

DHL Express Worldwide

3-5 business days. Most reliable option for Greece. Better customs handling than postal routes.

UPS Worldwide Expedited

4-6 business days. Good for commercial packages and business-to-business shipments.

FedEx International Priority

3-5 business days. Reliable for higher-value packages.

Commonly Prohibited Items

✕Firearms and weapons without Greek government permits

✕Narcotics and controlled substances

✕Counterfeit goods and pirated media

✕Certain food products without EU health certifications

✕Antiquities and cultural artifacts (strict Greek law)

✕Goods infringing EU intellectual property regulations

Greece-Specific Shipping Tips

💡 Greek VAT (24%) applies to all imports — no minimum since July 2021

💡 Greek customs can be slow via postal channels — use DHL or UPS for time-sensitive packages

💡 Greek postal codes are 5 digits (e.g., 10557 for central Athens); always include them

💡 Greek islands add transit time — add 2-5 days for island destinations (Crete, Rhodes, etc.)

💡 Write the city name in Latin characters — 'Athina' (Athens in Greek) is acceptable but 'Athens' or 'Thessaloniki' are standard on international labels

Frequently asked questions

How long does shipping to Greece take?

USPS via ELTA: 8-14 business days but can take up to 3-4 weeks with customs delays. DHL/UPS/FedEx: 3-6 business days. Island deliveries take additional time.

Are there customs delays shipping to Greece?

Greek customs (via postal channels) can be slow, sometimes holding packages for 1-3 weeks. Using courier services like DHL or UPS significantly reduces the risk of long customs holds.

Does the recipient pay VAT on US imports?

Yes. Greek VAT (24%) applies to all commercial imports. Above €150, import duties also apply. Recipients pay at delivery unless the seller collects via EU IOSS.

Can I ship to Greek islands from the US?

Yes. Major islands like Crete, Rhodes, Corfu, and Mykonos all receive international mail. Add 2-5 business days to standard transit times. Always include the island name and 5-digit postal code.

Is there anything I should avoid shipping to Greece?

Avoid shipping antiquities reproductions that could be mistaken for real artifacts — Greece has strict cultural property laws. Food items require EU health certifications. Declare all items accurately.

How to Ship to Greece from the US

Typical 1 lb cost

Typical transit