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The Association of Car Importers and Dealers has advised buyers to only purchase used vehicles after confirming with Greek customs that VAT has been properly paid, following an uncovered VAT‑fraud scheme in the cross‑border trade of used cars.
According to authorities, a Bulgarian intermediary was used to avoid VAT payments: vehicles were bought from Germany under the normal VAT regime and then sold to Greek firms using invoices claiming the EU margin‑scheme, allowing the Greek buyers to skip paying VAT at Greek customs.
The association stressed that when false or misleading documents are submitted during customs clearance, vehicles may be seized until unpaid taxes and penalties are settled.
So far officials say 19 mostly luxury vehicles with a total value exceeding 885,000 euros have been detected, with estimated VAT losses to the Greek state of more than €212,000.