Greece occupies a small share in Russian foreign trade (33rd in trade, 24th in exports, 69th in imports), but economic bilateral relations are characterized by stability. At the same time, Russia is the largest partner for Greece.

Features of import

Various difficulties impede the promotion of Greek goods on the Russian market: differences in the legislative framework, a system of restrictions and quotas on the import of large consignments of goods, bureaucratic barriers. The same is true for Russian export goods to Greece. Nevertheless, both sides are interested in cooperation.

ATTENTION! We work only with legal entities.

Mainly fur and leather products are brought from Greece: various clothes, fur coats, bags, shoes. Traditionally, a high volume of imports falls on olive oil, tobacco, perfumes. It cannot do without the import of fresh flowers, vegetables and fruits, medicines, essential oils.

The structure of imports determines the specifics of transportation and customs clearance.

Fresh flowers, vegetables and fruits are imported accompanied by a phytosanitary certificate. This product must pass phytosanitary control before shipment and quarantine control when entering the territory of the Russian Federation. Products are tested for diseases and parasites. Often, the safety of this product depends on the observance of the terms and conditions of transportation. Most of the food products are subject to the 2014 embargo. Greece is a member of the European Union.

Medicines can only be imported with a license and permission for use in the Russian Federation to firms engaged in the wholesale trade of medicines and manufacturers for their own production. Moreover, drugs must be labeled.

Fur products, perfumes, some clothes and footwear must also be marked with CIM before release for domestic consumption, which implies the registration of the importer in the Chestny Znak system.

Wine, tobacco and other goods classified as excisable are processed only at excise customs posts.

For most goods, it is necessary to issue a certificate or declaration of conformity, which confirms the safety of the goods and the compliance of its quality with the standards adopted in the EAEU and the Russian Federation. Fill in the export declaration EX-1. This document is mandatory for EU members and is drawn up to confirm zero percent VAT.

When importing clothes, shoes, and indeed any other products, you need to be careful about brands. In some cases, for the legal import of products, the permission of the copyright holder is required.

Features of export

Goods that are exported outside the EAEU, which include: Russia, Armenia, Kazakhstan, Belarus, Kyrgyzstan, are subject to mandatory customs clearance of export transactions.

The primary task is to fill out and submit a customs declaration to customs. It is served before the goods arrive at the customs border. In the customs control zone, the cargo is inspected by the customs authorities, the correctness of the paperwork and the payment of customs duties is checked.

Customs declaration can be submitted without customs control at the place of registration, it is carried out later - at the border crossing. Some types of goods are registered only at posts where there are veterinary and phytosanitary control services, other goods, such as precious metals and stones, oil, gas transported through pipelines, have restrictions at the place of declaration.

A standard package of documentation for the export of goods to Greece includes:

• customs declaration;

• invoice;

• international bill of lading;

• certificate of origin;

• quality certificate.
  

In addition, the exporter needs to confirm the zero VAT rate within 180 calendar days from the date of shipment of the goods. To do this, you will also need to prepare a package of documents. If the deadline is not met, VAT is additionally charged at a rate of 10% or 20%.

Categories and types of exported and imported goods

The main place in the structure of export of goods from Russia is occupied by mineral fuels and oil products, foodstuffs, and manufactured goods. Russia, in turn, exports from Greece chemical products, fruits and vegetables, wine, tobacco, and various raw materials.

The total trade turnover in 2020 amounted to more than USD 2.5 billion. There is a noticeable tendency towards a decrease in the volume of supplies, even more in the export than in the import direction.

The total volume of Russian exports from Greece is as follows:

• mineral products - 88.61% (HS code 25-27);

• metal products and metals - 6.06% (HS code 72-83);

• agricultural raw materials and foodstuffs - 1.95% HS code 01-24);

• chemical products - 1.47% (HS code 28-40).

The increase in export deliveries compared to 2019 is noticeable in the category of “ships, boats and floating structures” - an increase of more than USD 14 million. At the same time, the export of ferrous metals, copper, cereals, oil products, explosives and pyrotechnic products is declining.

As for imports, most of the supplies fell on:

• chemical products - 33.32% (HS code 28-40);

• metal products and metals - 20.23% (HS code 72-83);

• agricultural raw materials and foodstuffs - 19.88% (HS code 01-24);

• equipment, machinery, transport - 15.17% (HS code 84-90);

• footwear and textiles - 3.96% (HS code 50-67);

• mineral products - 1.62% (HS code 25-27). 

An increase in imports is observed in such categories as copper and copper products, vegetable and animal oils and fats, processed products of various plants, including nuts, fruits and vegetables, tools and accessories, spoons and forks, and equipment. The import of fur, pharmaceuticals, tobacco, aluminum, furniture, chemical products, essential oils and some other goods is decreasing.

Features of cargo transportation from Greece

• large-sized and oversized;

• dangerous;

• valuable;

• prefabricated or general;

• bulk;

• perishable;

• refrigerated. 

For the transportation of goods, sea, road and air transport is used, as well as multimodal delivery schemes:

• sea + auto;

• air + auto.

Car delivery. This method is suitable for all types of cargo, you only need to select the type and size of the truck and the container. It is characterized by high mobility and reasonable cost.

Sea delivery. Suitable for many goods, except for perishable and urgent. Cargo ships from Greece arrive at the ports of St. Petersburg and Ust-Luga, although other options are possible, for example, Novorossiysk. Export shipments go to Thessaloniki, Piraeus, Volos or other seaports in Greece. This method is cost effective.

Multimodal transportation. Several types of transport are used. This scheme is used if: 

• it is necessary to reduce transportation costs;

• you want to shorten the delivery time;

• the goods are shipped far from the airport / seaport;

• the cargo needs to be delivered from the airport / seaport to the destination.
  

Benefits of air delivery

Transportation is performed by direct and connecting flights between international airports in Russia (Domodedovo, Sheremetyevo, Vnukovo, Pulkovo, Knevichi, Koltsovo) and Greece (Nikos Kazantzakis, Kavala Megas Alexandros and others). Air delivery takes no more than 4 days, and in special cases, even 1 day.

SB Cargo is an IATA accredited cargo agent. This allows our clients to use more favorable air transportation rates, quickly book applications, and quickly process cargo.

Customs clearance

Customs clearance is a mandatory step for export and import cargo. It includes the submission of a Customs declaration, where the HS codes of goods are indicated, a package of documents, payment of duties, VAT and customs duty, cargo verification, customs value control, documentary control and other operations.

If all documents are executed according to the law, the deadlines for submitting documents are met, customs duties are paid on time and in full, there are no problems with the cargo, customs clearance is quick and takes several hours.

SB Cargo specialists will help you to quickly organize the delivery of goods to or from Greece. We will solve problems with logistics, certification, customs clearance. We offer you a comprehensive import escort service, which implies the solution of all organizational issues for the supply, provided that, the supply agreement between the client and the supplier has already been concluded.