Importing a car into Greece: Part 4

Hey – don’t lose heart - you are almost there! If you are thinking of importing your indispensable car into Greece I have been discussing with you over the last few weeks exactly how this should be done. Here is the last piece of the puzzle: the documents you will need to have to hand for the custom’s clearance:

Documents Required For Customs Clearing

• Original invoice or other proof of ownership
• Original registration certificate
• Certificate of conformity and type approval
• DVA

Additional documents may be requested by the Customs Authority - depending on the type of vehicle - to calculate the vehicle's registration tax. Find out about this in advance, as mentioned in my first article about this on Monday 4th October.

Vehicles imported into Greece must go through a test at a Vehicle Technical Control Centre (KTEO).

Technical Control Test

• To make an appointment for a technical control in Attica Tel: 1525
• For contact information of KTEOs outside Attica and Thessaloniki regions: Click here
  

The documents required by the KTEO for the technical control test are:

• Proof of identity
• Customs Registration Certificate

Cars must meet the last effective Community Directive regarding exhaust emissions. For older cars a higher registration tax must be paid regarding exhaust emissions. You will have to get the following inspections completed.

• Emissions Inspection. Performed by KTEO (Vehicle technical Control Centre), by appointment
• General inspection. Performed by KTEO of your choice by appointment.
• Noise inspection. Performed by the Dept. of Transportation
  

Once the relevant taxes and duties have been paid, a registration certificate is issued. This must be taken to the local Ministry of Communication and Transportation authorities, where the vehicle may be registered and Greek plates issued. Normally the charge for such plates is equivalent to 20% of the Registration tax – this was discussed earlier.

Bear in mind that diesel engine vehicles are not permitted to circulate in Athens,Piraeus or Salonika. Note here too that electric motor vehicles and cars with hybrid technology are not subject to registration tax.

Another very important point to remember is that a vehicle imported under the above regulation may not be transferred, leased, pawned or lent, nor its use assigned in any other manner without prior approval by the customs authorities. In the event of transfer, lease, pawning, lending or assignment of the use of such a vehicle before the lapse of one year, the total amount of tax due shall be collected.

A full list of requirements and more detailed information is available through the Greek Ministry of Economy and Finance: Director of Customs, Ministry of Economy and Finance, Amalias 40, Athens 105 62, Tel 210 324 5552 / 210 324 5587, www.gsis.gr.

I hope this has been helpful. If you have any other information or your findings were different when you did this I would really be interested to hear from you. I will share any info that you send me – helping one another is the name of the game!

Happy motoring – next week I will share with you some of my experiences of driving in Greece!!

Take care and wrap up warmly won’t you? Brrrr…

Best wishes,

Carol.
http://www.GreeceBuyingGuide.com