Smuggling (lathremporia) refers to the unlawful movement of goods across a border in circumvention of customs duties, taxes, or other charges, or of trade restrictions.
The legal basis is the National Customs Code (Law 2960/2001), most recently comprehensively codified by Law 5162/2024 and further tightened since then. The smuggling of drugs, cigarettes and weapons, as well as human smuggling, have particular practical significance at Greece’s external EU borders.
Sentencing range: the basic offence is punished with imprisonment of at least six months; for repeat offenders, use of weapons, commission by at least three persons, or damage to the Greek state or the European Union, the minimum sentence increases significantly, in the most serious cases up to penal servitude. The legislature has repeatedly tightened the sentencing provisions in this area – most recently in connection with combating illegal tobacco trading.
Note: As the Customs Code is currently being continuously amended, we recommend confirming the sentencing range applicable in the individual case against the current version of the law.
Typical manifestations include the possession of smuggled goods with knowledge of their illegal origin (e.g. smuggled cigarettes), the sale of heating oil or petrol without authorisation from the customs authority, the importation of dismantled vehicles as purported spare parts with subsequent assembly in Greece, the removal or affixing of chassis numbers, and simulated changes of residence for the purpose of duty-free vehicle importation.
FAQ
The term smuggling refers to the unlawful movement of goods across a border. In most cases, the smuggled goods are significantly more expensive in the destination country than in the country of origin – due to the economic situation there, a lack of natural resources, or customs, tax, and other statutory provisions – or are subject to trade restrictions or otherwise unavailable.
The smuggling of drugs, cigarettes and weapons, as well as human smuggling, has acquired particular significance at Greece's borders, which also constitute the external borders of the EU.
The National Customs Code provides for imprisonment for the basic offence of smuggling, the specific duration of which depends on the type and value of the smuggled goods.
In aggravating circumstances – for example, repeat offenders, use of weapons, joint commission by several persons, or particularly high damage to the Greek state or the European Union – the law provides for significantly higher sentencing ranges, up to lengthy penal servitude.
Common smuggling cases include the possession of smuggled goods with knowledge of their illegal origin (e.g. smuggled cigarettes); the sale of heating oil or petrol without authorisation from the customs authority and without lawful possession; the dismantling of motor vehicles abroad for the purpose of importing them as spare parts and their subsequent assembly in Greece; the removal or affixing of a chassis number on a smuggled vehicle; and the simulated relocation for the purpose of duty-free vehicle importation into Greece, without an actual move by a person resident abroad.
As of June 2026. All information on these pages is provided without guarantee or liability.