Ask the Collective

How can UK wine sellers navigate Greek customs requirements when shipping to commercial restaurants without excise licenses?

Greek customs can block wine shipments to commercial establishments (restaurants, etc.) if the receiving business lacks an excise license or warehouse facility, even if they hold valid RORI and VAT numbers. This appears to be a stricter enforcement than in previous years. **Practical steps members recommend:** - **Engage a dedicated customs agent** — Members strongly advise appointing a Greek customs broker or agent familiar with Greek customs systems; they may have workarounds or know how to navigate the excise requirement. - **Source a Greek importer contact** — Having a Greek-based importer or distributor partner with proper excise credentials can facilitate clearance. Ask within the Kindred network for introductions; several members have Greek contacts willing to help. - **Contact Olivier Ward** — Named as a potential go-to contact who may be able to help solve this issue directly. **Key caveat:** Shipping wine direct from a French vineyard to Greek restaurants without proper licensing structures is proving harder than direct UK shipments were in previous years, suggesting Greek customs enforcement has tightened. The excise license / warehouse requirement appears to be a real blocker that may require either the restaurant clients to obtain an excise number, or routing the shipment through a licensed Greek distributor or importer.