Moving to Greece from the USA
Moving to Greece from the USA means navigating a customs system built around one core concept: proving you’re genuinely transferring your residence, not just importing goods. As an overseas moving company, SDC handles the shipping and documentation side so you can focus on the move itself.
The Certificate That Everything Depends On
Duty-free entry for your household goods hinges on a specific document: the Certificate of Transfer of Habitual Residence, issued by the Greek Consulate serving your area. To qualify, Greek customs requires that your habitual residence has been outside Greece for at least two years before the transfer, and that you actually intend to reside in Greece afterward, not simply import goods and leave. Your certificate application needs a detailed, itemized inventory of everything you’re shipping. See our complete guide to international customs regulations for the documentation process that applies across corridors.
Personal effects and household goods generally qualify for VAT and duty exemption once the certificate is approved, but items brought in without it, or shipped before the certificate is finalized, can be assessed the full VAT rate. We build your shipping timeline around your certificate timeline, not the other way around, so your container isn’t sitting at Piraeus waiting on paperwork that should have started months earlier.
Alongside the certificate itself, expect to prepare: a valid passport, proof your prior residence was genuinely abroad (utility bills, lease agreements, or tax records covering the two-year window), the detailed inventory, and a Bill of Lading once your shipment is booked. Missing or inconsistent proof of prior residence is the most common reason a certificate application gets delayed, so we review this documentation with you well before your container is scheduled.
Ocean freight from the US to Greece typically runs 8 to 12 weeks door-to-door once your certificate and documentation are in order; air freight moves in about a week but costs considerably more per cubic foot.
Vehicles and Motorcycles: The Real Rules
If you’re bringing a car or motorcycle, you need to have owned and used it at your prior residence for at least six months before the move, and the vehicle must meet Greek emissions standards; older Euro 1 through 3 vehicles without demonstrated CO2 data generally can’t be imported and registered. There’s no flat age or mileage cutoff the way some countries apply; the real gating factor is the emissions standard and the ownership window, not the odometer. You’ll need the original title, purchase invoice, and proof of insurance for customs clearance, and Greece is entitled to only one duty-exempt vehicle per family under this relief. Given how specific and technical this gets, we recommend confirming your vehicle’s eligibility with a customs broker before you ship it, not after.
Shipping Options: Container and Air Freight
A shared (LCL) container splits space and cost with other shipments headed to the same region, the most affordable option, but you wait for the container to fill before it ships. A private 20 or 40-foot container (FCL) is faster and better suited to larger households, since there’s no waiting on anyone else’s shipment. Air freight moves in about a week and costs more, worth it when speed outweighs budget. Most cargo, regardless of method, routes through the Port of Piraeus, Greece’s primary import gateway just outside Athens; Thessaloniki serves as a secondary port for northern Greece.
Protecting Your Shipment
Even a well-documented shipment involves multiple handoffs between packing, ocean transit, and customs clearance at Piraeus. Marine insurance covers your household goods against loss or damage along the way, and we help align your inventory values with your coverage before you ship.
Moving with Pets
SDC doesn’t handle pet relocation directly, but here’s what you need to know: dogs and cats need a microchip implanted before their rabies vaccination, and you must wait at least 21 days after a primary rabies vaccination before travel, not 60, a figure that circulates often and is simply out of date. Your pet’s health certificate needs USDA endorsement within 10 days of arrival in Greece. We can refer you to a dedicated pet relocation specialist so this runs on its own correct timeline alongside your household shipment.
Frequently Asked Questions
Do I need to have lived outside Greece for a certain amount of time to qualify for duty-free entry?
Yes. Greek customs requires your habitual residence to have been outside Greece for at least two years before your move, alongside the Certificate of Transfer of Habitual Residence from the Greek Consulate.
Is there an age or mileage limit on a vehicle I want to import?
No flat cutoff exists. What actually matters is six months of prior ownership and use, and whether the vehicle meets Greece’s emissions standards. Older vehicles without demonstrated CO2 data typically can’t be registered, regardless of mileage.
How long do I need to wait after my pet’s rabies vaccination before traveling?
At least 21 days after a primary vaccination, administered after the microchip is in place. Some vaccine manufacturers specify 30 days, so confirm with your vet. The often-cited 60-day figure is outdated.
Planning Your Move to Greece
We’ll review your inventory, confirm your certificate timeline, and build a shipping plan that gets your goods to Piraeus after your paperwork clears, not before. Ask about our packing services for export-ready crating, or request a quote to get started. Call (877) 339-0267 to speak with a coordinator directly.
