Greece has shown a positive growth rate of over 8% for the year 2021. It is proof that Greece has rebounded from the financial crisis and the pandemic.
Greece’s real GDP is forecasted to grow in the years 2022 and 2023.
Domestic demand is among the key drivers of the country’s growth in the year 2022. There are fiscal measures and a Recovery and Resilience Plan instated to strengthen this demand.
With positive growth indicators, a favourable geographical location, good tourism potential, and robust shipping industry, Greece presents many opportunities to a cross-border ecommerce business looking to capture newer territories.
However, prospects of growth in business often bring with them challenges such as international shipping.
If you’re a business operating out of the UK and want to serve customers in Greece, this guide will help develop an international shipping strategy to meet customer expectations.
Cost & delivery speeds for shipping to the Greece from the UK
When shipping across the border choosing the right delivery company is among the most important decisions you can make.
Your choice can be informed basis a number of factors such as cost of service, timelines for delivery, drop-off points network, compensation cover limit, package weight allowance, etc.
Royal Mail, UPS, FedEx, DPD, Parcelforce Worldwide, and Evri (The new Hermes) are all top couriers that ship packages to Greece from the UK.
To help you understand the range of solutions available from them when shipping from the UK to Greece, we have below a table with indicative costs and delivery timelines.
The table below shows the services offered on this route by the aforementioned couriers. Prices have been calculated using each delivery company’s specific calculator for a uniform sample package of 2 kg in September 2022. Parcel value was entered as 50 GBP wherever mandatorily requested. Costs reflected in the table are indicative and may change.
Note: These are general options for consumers’ shipping orders directly from a courier’s store. To know what ShipBob offers when shipping to other countries like Greece, please request a quote here.
ShipBob’s exact rates for customers will vary as we charge an all-in ‘total fulfilment cost’ that includes picking, packing, and shipping, among other factors.
| Service | Price | Delivery Time | |
| Royal Mail | International Standard | £12.20 | 3-5 business days |
| Royal Mail | International Tracked | £13.05 | 3-5 business days |
| Royal Mail | International Economy | £14.25 | 15 business days |
| Royal Mail | International Tracked and Signed | £14.95 | 3-5 business day |
| UPS | Express Saver | £33.03 | 1 business day |
| UPS | Standard | £17.65 | 3 business days |
| FedEx | International Economy | £125.22 | 4 business day |
| FedEx | International Priority | £124.29 | 1 business day |
| Evri | Evri Courier | £16.65 | 3-7 business days |
| Parcelforce Worldwide | globalpriority | £50.75 | 3+ business days |
| Parcelforce Worldwide | globalexpress | £81.42 | 1+ business days |
| Parcelforce Worldwide | globalvalue | £46.15 | 5+ business days |
| DPD local | Air Express | £65.03 | 2-4 business days |
| DPD local | Air Classic | £55.06 | 6-7 business days |
| DPD local | Air Express | £65.03 | 2-4 business days |
Parcelforce Worldwide, Evri, and DPD local prices in the table are for pickup options.
The parcel size entered to calculate the prices for Evri, Parcelforce Worldwide, and DPD local is 45cm X 35cm X 16cm (L X W X H). FedEx, UPS, and Royal Mail options do not presently attract additional charges for collection options.
How to choose a shipping courier
Since choosing the right shipping courier is among the most important steps in international shipping, it is a good idea to weigh the merits and demerits of the major delivery companies.
To assist you in making a decision find below a table with the pros and cons of top couriers that offer shipping services to send goods from the UK to Greece.
Couriers | Pros | Cons |
| Royal Mail |
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| FedEx |
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| UPS |
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| DPD |
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| Evri |
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| Parcelforce |
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Shipping to Greece from the UK with Royal Mail
Royal Mail is a 500+ years old company and has a strong name in the shipping sector.
The company has a worldwide network of delivery partners that can reach over 230 countries and territories.
The cheapest service from Royal Mail when shipping from the UK to Greece is International Standard. It is priced at £12.20 and aims to reach the destination in Greece within 3-5 business days.
On the other hand, International Tracked & Signed is the most competitive offering and stands at £14.95.
While it is priced only a few pounds higher than the cheapest service but with the additional sum paid you get full trackability till the delivery point, signature on delivery, online delivery confirmation, option to purchase additional compensation cover of up to £250, etc.
When to use Royal Mail to ship from the UK to Greece
If yon need of an affordable shipping solution with decent delivery timelines, Royal Mail offers a range of them. It is however best suited for those who intend to send lightweight packages of up to 2 kg per parcel and are in no rush for them to reach the destination quickly.
For those of you who don’t like scheduling and waiting for a pickup Royal Mail’s vast drop-off points network within the UK of over 14,000+ locations including 24/7 parcel post boxes is a sure pull.
Shipping to Greece from the UK with UPS
UPS is a renowned global logistics company with capabilities to deliver to over 220 countries and territories worldwide.
Within Europe, UPS has been present for over 45+ years and connects the region well.
When to use UPS to ship from the UK to Greece
If you are looking for a courier that balances speed and time in a cost-effective manner, UPS offers solutions that will work for you. Additionally, a large package weight allowance of up to 70 kg per individual parcel, customs support, trackability, etc. are more reasons to choose the courier.
UPS also offers flat-rate solutions for packages of up to 70 kg each at affordable rates for businesses shipping from the UK to Greece.
Shipping to Greece from the UK with FedEx
FedEx is among the global leaders in logistics and shipping. It can get your packages delivered to over 220 countries and territories worldwide.
With a presence of over 35+ years in Europe, FedEx has a robust network in the region.
When to use FedEx to ship from the UK to Greece
If you are someone who prefers time-defined speedy delivery solutions, want to send heavy packages of up to 68 kg each, and like your packages tracked reliably, FedEx could be the courier of choice for you. However, it is important to note that FedEx solutions are usually priced at a premium.
FedEx also has a special solution called FedEx International Connect Plus for ecommerce businesses. It offers greater convenience, better cost efficiencies, etc. to online businesses looking to ship to customers in other countries.
Shipping to Greece from the UK with DPD UK
The UK’s favourite parcel delivery company, DPD is a leading parcel group in Europe. It has a network to get your package delivered to over 230 countries and territories.
When to use DPD UK to ship from the UK to Greece
With DPD, you can protect your parcel up to the value of £5,000 at an additional cost. This can be valuable to those of you sending expensive items from the UK to Greece.
Additionally, if you value full traceability, want online proof of delivery, and would appreciate the convenience of multi-lingual customer service agents, DPD could be the right fit for your needs.
Shipping to Greece from the UK with Evri (The new Hermes)
Evri is a leading courier that can deliver your shipment to over 190 countries and territories worldwide.
This company which was formerly called Hermes also has a strong network of 6,000+ parcelshops and lockers within the UK.
When to use Evri (The new Hermes) to ship from the UK to Greece
If you are looking to send packages maximum of up to 15 kg each, appreciate the ease and convenience of a vast drop-off network, and want the option to buy additional parcel protection cover of up to £1,000, Evri might be the solution to your requirements.
Regular shippers or ecommerce businesses can also sync their Evri account to ecommerce platforms such as Amazon, Shopify, etc. for increased convenience.
Shipping to Greece from the UK with Parcelforce
Parcelforce Worldwide is a part of the Royal Mail Group. The foundation of this delivery company was laid in 1986 when it was created by Royal Mail as a separate parcel function.
Whether you are sending items to the capital city of Athens in Greece or shipping goods to one of the many beautiful islands, you can trust Parcelforce Worldwide to deliver your shipments to your satisfaction.
When to use Parcelforce to ship from the UK to Greece
If you like to have a variety of options to choose from, are looking to send items of a maximum of 30 kg per individual package, prefer the convenience of a vast drop-off network, Parcelforce Worldwide might be suitable for your needs.
It offers a range of solutions that aim to deliver from 1+ business days and go up to 5+ business days.
Duties & taxes when shipping to Greece from the UK
Post Brexit, UK postal items are subject to applicable import taxes and duties.
Greece also charges a Value Added Tax (VAT) of 24% on goods and services. Be prepared to foot this on goods sent from the UK to Greece.
Additionally, some products may require special licenses, information for which is available on TARIC (integrated tariff of European Union). You can also find information on customs duties on this portal.
Also, there may be additional import requirements and documentation depending on the shipment. It is advised to review the European Union Country Commercial Guide for information on the same.
Greece customs information
Shipping internationally requires a number of documents such as commercial invoice, import declarations, certificates/licenses (wherever applicable), etc. The same holds true of shipments sent from the UK to Greece.
In addition to the documents required companies outside the EU are required to have an Economic Operator Registration and Identification (EORI) number in order to apply for customs declaration in Greece.
Once customs formalities are met and applicable duties cleared, the customs authority usually releases goods for free circulation within the country.Information on customs is subject to revisions. Therefore, it is advised to review the official customs website of Greece before shipping.
Prohibited items when shipping to Greece
When shipping internationally, it is the responsibility of the shipper that items shipped comply with the regulations of both countries.
If a shipment is found to be in breach of laid out laws and carrying prohibited articles it can be confiscated and denied transport.
Additionally, there are some items that are categorized as restricted. These are allowed to cross-border but with duly approvals.
For shippers sending such items, having necessary certificates, permits, and licenses, wherever applicable is therefore essential.
Below are some of the items that are prohibited when shipping from the UK to Greece.
Items you can’t ship to Greece from the UK |
| Illicit narcotics and drugs |
| Toys and games that contain copper sulfate |
| Rubber erasers that may be similar in appearance to food products and can be easily ingested |
| Medical samples |
| Antiques, and precious metals and stones |
Since these lists are subject to revisions, it is advised to review the country’s official customs website before shipping.
What ecommerce businesses need to know about shipping to Greece
Did you know that since 2018 market volume of the top 100 online stores in Greece has grown by a whopping 71%.
Fashion is among the prime ecommerce categories in Greece that generate the most revenue at 31%. This is followed by electronics and media at 24%, food, and personal care at 20%, toys, hobby and DIY at 16%, and furniture and appliances at 9%.
Both the UK and Greece enjoy a long-standing relationship and benefit from flourishing international trade.
To a British ecommerce business looking to enter a new market, these facts indicate promise. So, are you ready to dive in?
Read on below to gain more insights into the Greek market.
1. Harness Greece’s tourism potential
Did you know that Greece sees more tourists every year than its entire population?
Be it the world-famous Acropolis of Athens, the party island Mykonos or the picture-perfect Santorini, Greece has something for everyone.
Tourism makes for approximately 18% of the country’s GDP and employs a fifth of the workforce.Greece’s tourist trade is continually growing. This presents opportunities for businesses operating in this space as the country will require continued investment to advance facilities and infrastructure.
2. Capitalise on the strategic location
Greece is located in the Mediterranean and Southeastern Europe at the crossroads of three continents – Europe, Asia, and Africa.
It is considered an entryway to the Balkan. Its location in Europe is advantageous to ecommerce businesses looking to capture customers from not just the country but the region as well.
3. Leverage its robust shipping sector
Greece is a hub for logistics, transportation, and energy. Its shipping sector is among the strongest in the world. It is also shielded to some extent from economic uncertainty in the country.
Since shipping is critical to the success of an ecommerce business, the country’s strong shipping industry credentials make it a good choice for a business looking to widen its footprint in the region.
Take your brand global with ShipBob
ShipBob is a global omnichannel fulfilment partner that makes selling internationally accessible and affordable.
Selling internationally can be challenging, time-consuming, and costly. But with ShipBob, you’re given everything you need to serve customers across the globe while saving time on logistics, including access to shipping courier, DDP shipping solutions, a network of global fulfilment centres, and much more.
We not only take care of picking, packing, and shipping your orders to Greece with a fulfilment centre in the UK and other locations across the world, we also offer upfront fulfilment costs that include customs, duties, and additional taxes.
By partnering with ShipBob, you eliminate the need to manage retail fulfilment, logistics operations, and hire labour.
“We currently use ShipBob fulfilment centres in the US, Canada, Europe, and Australia. Global fulfilment is a huge need in the corporate gifting market and a necessity for our clients. At Postal, we’re building and actively executing an international strategy. There’s no way we’d be able to do this ourselves – but ShipBob’s combination of tech-forward APIs and logistics expertise allows us to scale globally with ease.“
Ben Jablow, VP, Alliances at Postal
Ready to start shipping to Greece from the UK? Get started with ShipBob.
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Shipping to Greece FAQs
You can find below answers to some of the most common questions asked when shipping to Greece from the UK
What’s the cheapest way to ship to Greece from the UK?
Royal Mail’s International Standard is the cheapest way to ship packages from the UK to Greece. The delivery aim for packages on this route is 3-5 business days. Do note however you can only send packages of up to 2 kg per individual parcel via Royal Mail.
What’s the cheapest way to ship large packages to Greece from the UK?
UPS’s Standard service is the cheapest way to ship heavy packages from the UK to Greece. Each package can be up to 70 kg.
What’s the fastest way to ship a package to Greece from the UK?
UPS’s Express Saver and FedEx’s International Priority are the fastest options when shipping to Greece from the UK. Both of these solutions aim to deliver your shipment to the destination by the end of the second business day.
Do I have to pay customs duties and fees when shipping to Greece from the UK?
Since Brexit, goods exported from the UK to anywhere in the European Union (EU) are subject to import duties and taxes.
A Value Added Tax of 24% is usually levied on goods entering Greece from the UK.Customs duties are calculated as per TARIC (integrated tariff of the European Union). You can also find information on special licenses that may be required for certain products.
What’s the easiest way to ship something to Greece from the UK?
Royal Mail has a vast drop-off network of 14,000+ locations and also has 24/7 parcel postboxes. It also has a collection service for those who prefer to get their parcels picked.
With such convenient options that are priced well, Royal Mail is the easiest way to ship parcels from the UK to Greece.
