Hi,

I've actually just done this from the UK, co can give you a little advice on what happens/what you need to do.

1. If you have owned your car for more than 6 months, and lived outside Greece for more than 2 years, go to your local Greek embassy to get a certificate of duty exception. Whilst this won't negate paying import duty completely, it does reduce it. Do this in your last month before leaving for Greece.

2. Not sure how the US system works, but if you have to exchange your certificate of ownership for an export certificate before you leave, make sure you get a certified copy (from the regsistration authority) of the original certificate of ownership. We had a problem that the Greeks were not up to date with standard practice Export certificates from the UK and refused to accept it - only the original / copy of certificate of ownership which we no longer possessed.

3. Now, when you arrive in Greece you have up to 6 months to declare the car (your insurance may only cover you for less and finding a company to insure you in Greece whilst you have US plates might be hard). Also, if you have foreign plates, other drivers tend to treat you differently I have found. So,my advice is to start the process as soon as possible.

4. Go to the customs office usually located at the port (not sure where you are coming in to, but Athens and Thessaloniki both have them). Declare that you want to import your car. Another word of advice, carry passports for you and your spouse dating back the last 6 years (even if you have renewed, take your old one). Also carry marriage certificates and any ownership / insurance documents for the car. If you ahve a certificate of conformity (provided by the car manufacturer usually) take this too. It details CO2 emmissions and the like. If not, find a dealer in Greece who can prepare one/equlivalent certificate for you. Also take proof of your residential address (rental or purchase contract) in Greece. They will also ask you for a Greek tax number, known as an AFM (pronounced af-fee-mee). You get this by completing a short application at your local tax office (to where you live in Greece) and presenting your passport. Do this first, and make sure they input your details correctly! Keep all of this paperwork on you when you apply as you will find it can be called upon at any time.

4. Customs will inspect the car and write a certificate. You take this to the vehicle licensing authority who prepare you another certificate based on the technical specs of your car.

5. With this certificate, you go back to customs who issue you with an import certificate and will ask for the import duty (we paid 210euro on a car valued at 6500euro, but obviously this is based on your car). The customs official will also require payment of around 300 euro. At this point they take your licence plates.

6. With this certificate you then go back to the vehicle licensing authority who where the car undergoes a roadworthiness test, you purchase annual car tax (inexpensive), and receive a certificate with your licence plate number. You can then insure the car in the Greek system.

7. About 10 days later, you pick up your Greek plates and the process is complete.

The whole thing took a month for us, and around 5 days of our time.

I would say do it as a) it avoids insurance hassles, b) you are less conspicous on the roads, c) it becomes easier to declare in your annual tax declaration.

If all this seems a hassle, you can also get a driving instructor to do much of the legwork for you (for a fee) as they do this for a second income and know the system and people to talk to.

Good luck!

Malcolm

Post a Reply

00abuse