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Anastasia Balezdrova

The Greek government is considering introducing a ceiling of 1,000 euro on exports of cash abroad. However, the measure was not included in yesterday's decision on extending the bank holiday until next Monday, 13 July, due to a legal fault.

At the same time, there is no information on a change in the ceiling on the imports of cash in the country. Therefore, the ceiling of 10,000 euro remains in force.

Visitors to Greece are allowed to bring unlimited amount of food for personal consumption. Experts point out that there is no mechanism to ban the imports of food within the European Union, however indicating that it is advisable to keep and have available the receipt for the purchase of products.

According to the same sources, this does not apply to excise goods such as alcoholic drinks, tobacco and fuel. Imports of such goods within the European Union are permitted only when they are intended for personal consumption.

In particular, the Greek customs legislation states, "Tobacco and alcoholic drinks the excise duties for which have been paid in the EU Member State where they have been purchased and which are transported personally by travellers are not subject to the Greek tax code, if they are intended for personal consumption and not for commercial purposes.

As evidence of this, in addition to factors such as whether the carrier of the goods is a merchant, the reasons for the possession of the products, their type, etc., the quantity of goods is also taken into account and it is determined as follows:

Tobacco products:

Cigarettes - 800 pieces, cigarillos (up to 3 g.) - 400 pieces, cigars - 200 pieces, tobacco - 1 kg.

Alcoholic drinks:

Alcoholic drinks - 10 litres, intermediate alcoholic products - 20 litres, wine (the amount of champagne cannot exceed 60 litres) - 90 litres, beer - 110 litres.

Amounts under those limits cannot be defined as being intended for commercial purposes, unless combined with other factors."

As to fuel imports, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the Republic of Bulgaria has announced that carrying petrol in cans in Greece is prohibited. The country has specific requirements for the storage of fuels and this can lead to problems during the inspections carried out by the Greek police and supervisory bodies, especially during the summer fire season.