General Information
Time Zone: GMT+2h00
ISO Code: GR
Dialing Code: +30
Continent: Europe
International Trade
Greece, a member of the EU exports aluminium, cement, cotton, fruit, marble, edible oils, petroleum products, steel, textiles and knitwear and tobaccos, while the main imports include mineral products, miscellaneous manufactured goods, petroleum products and steel.
The last of Greece’s traditional foreign exchange restrictions were abolished during 1994 and the Bank of Greece (Central Bank) is responsible for exchange control and this is administered by authorised banks in most cases.
There are no currency restrictions for transfer of funds with the European Union member-states, as well as with the third countries and automatic approval for imports is granted by the commercial banks before or after shipment of the goods. This implies that the required amount of foreign exchange will be made available.
There is no import licence is required for textile products of South Africa origin, however, an import licence is required for the importation of textile products originating in certain third countries according to the EU Regulation 3030/93.
Greece has 3 free trade zones located at the Piraeus, Thessaloniki and Heraklion port areas and the Greek tariff is based on the Harmonised Commodity Description and Coding System.