USA Shipping & Customs
The complete guide to shipping from Greece to the USA with DDP.
Why is shipping to the USA difficult?
ELTA shipments to America are LL-only — no real tracking, and that's if there's even an ELTA branch left within a reasonable distance. Retail courier rates (FedEx, DHL, UPS) start at €60-80 for a small package. Customs clearance requires a commercial invoice, HS codes, and tariff knowledge. For most Greek e-commerce, eBay, and Etsy sellers, the US market is hard to reach.
What is DDP (Delivered Duty Paid)?
DDP means the sender (you, via pane) prepays all customs fees, duties, and taxes. The American recipient pays nothing extra. This means better customer experience, fewer returns, and no "surprise fees" at the door.
Cost structure
Shipping freight (from €34.01 for up to 1 kg) + customs costs. Customs include: fixed clearance fee (~€15) + duties/taxes (typically 15% of declared value). Example: 0.5 kg shipment, value €50 → ~€32.84 freight + €15 + €7.50 = ~€55.34 total.
What documents are needed?
Sales / Samples: You need an EORI, export authorization via ICISnet for the carrier (FedEx or DHL), and a sales invoice (for individuals and companies).
Gifts / Personal items: Only your tax number is required. pane automatically generates the required customs documents (commercial invoice).
Delivery time
3-7 business days from pickup. Customs clearance happens automatically (DDP) with no delays due to unpaid fees.
DDP vs DDU — Why DDP?
The USA no longer accepts packages under $800 in value that haven't already been cleared through customs. With a DDP shipment via pane you can see the estimated cost before you ship and send without surprises.