Smuggling is the unlawful cross‑border transport of goods. Typically, smuggled goods are more expensive in the destination country due to economic conditions, scarcity, or legal restrictions (customs, taxes, prohibitions). Greece’s external EU borders make smuggling of drugs, cigarettes, weapons and people particularly significant.
Sentencing range: 6 months–5 years; 1–5 years for repeat offenders, use of weapons, group offences (≥3 persons) or losses to the Greek state/EU ≥ €30,000; 5–20 years where losses exceed €150,000.
Examples include possession of smuggled goods knowing their illicit origin (e.g., cigarettes); unauthorized sale of heating oil or gasoline; dismantling cars abroad to import as parts and reassemble in Greece; altering a vehicle identification number; sham relocation to import a vehicle duty‑free without residence abroad.