Anti‑counterfeiting Lawyers Greece 2026: Customs Seizures, Online Takedowns & Expert Registry

Rights‑holders enforcing intellectual property in Greece face a transformed landscape in 2026, driven by the enactment of Law No. 5271/2026 and a measurable increase in customs and online enforcement activity. Anti‑counterfeiting lawyers in Greece now advise brand owners to update enforcement playbooks immediately, registering IP rights with Hellenic Customs, preparing marketplace takedown packs, and leveraging the new expert registry created under the art‑forgery provisions of the 2026 law. This guide maps every actionable step, from border seizure to courtroom remedy, so that in‑house IP counsel, external firms and brand‑protection teams can move decisively rather than reactively.

Whether the threat is a container of counterfeit sportswear at Piraeus or a forged painting listed for auction online, the procedures outlined below provide a clear, jurisdiction‑specific enforcement pathway.

Quick Decision Checklist: When to Act Now

Not every enforcement scenario demands the same urgency. The triggers below signal that immediate engagement with specialist counsel is warranted:

• Large inbound shipment flagged. Greek customs has detained or flagged a consignment suspected of containing counterfeit goods, rights‑holders typically have a narrow window to confirm the detention and initiate proceedings.
• Live marketplace listings. Counterfeit products are actively listed on Amazon.gr, eBay, Skroutz or social‑media marketplaces, every day of delay means additional sales and diluted brand value.
• Art forgery discovered. A suspected forged artwork has appeared in an auction house, gallery or private sale, the new expert registry under Law No. 5271/2026 can provide critical evidentiary support, but a request must be lodged promptly.
• Repeat infringer identified. An entity previously subject to a takedown or cease‑and‑desist has resumed infringing activity, escalation to criminal referral or civil injunction should be evaluated without delay.
• Cross‑border supply chain. Intelligence suggests counterfeits are transiting Greece en route to other EU member states, coordinated EU customs IP enforcement action is required.

Greek Customs Seizure Procedure, Step‑by‑Step

Greek customs authorities enforce IP rights at the border under a dual legal framework: national customs legislation and Regulation (EU) No 608/2013, which provides a harmonised mechanism across all EU member states for the detention and destruction of goods suspected of infringing intellectual property rights. Understanding the customs seizure procedure in Greece is essential for any rights‑holder seeking brand protection in Greece through border measures.

Pre‑Border Measures: Customs Recordal and Surveillance

The single most effective pre‑emptive step a rights‑holder can take is to file an Application for Action (AFA) with the Hellenic Customs Authority (AADE). Under Regulation (EU) No 608/2013, an AFA can be filed as either a national application (covering Greece only) or a Union application (covering multiple EU member states through a single filing). The application is free of charge.

To complete the AFA, rights‑holders must prepare the following documents:

1. Proof of IP ownership, trademark registration certificates, patent grants, design registrations or copyright documentation.
2. Detailed product descriptions, photographs of genuine goods, packaging, labels, UPC/EAN codes and any security features that help customs officers distinguish authentic products from counterfeits.
3. Known or suspected infringement intelligence, shipping routes, consignee names, countries of origin, container numbers and any prior seizure data.
4. Power of attorney, authorising a Greek legal representative or customs agent to act on the rights‑holder’s behalf.
5. An undertaking of liability, the applicant accepts responsibility for costs incurred by customs in connection with the detention, including storage and destruction costs where applicable.

Once the AFA is approved, it remains valid for one year and is renewable. Customs officers at all Greek entry points, including the major ports of Piraeus, Thessaloniki and Patras, as well as Athens International Airport, are then alerted to monitor for suspected infringing goods matching the registered IP rights.

On Arrival: Detention and Provisional Measures

When customs officers identify goods that match a registered AFA, they may detain the shipment ex officio (on their own initiative) or upon specific intelligence from the rights‑holder. Under Regulation (EU) No 608/2013, the rights‑holder is notified of the detention and provided with information about the goods, including quantity, photographs and, where available, the identity of the consignee or declarant.

The rights‑holder then has a defined period to inspect the goods (or samples thereof), confirm that they are counterfeit, and decide whether to pursue destruction or initiate court proceedings. The regulation provides for a simplified destruction procedure: if the rights‑holder confirms infringement and the declarant or holder of the goods does not object within the prescribed period, the goods may be destroyed under customs supervision without the need for a court order.

Post‑Seizure: Destruction, Forfeiture or Release

If the simplified destruction procedure applies and the declarant does not object, the goods are destroyed at the rights‑holder’s expense. Storage and destruction costs vary depending on the volume and nature of the goods, and rights‑holders should budget accordingly when filing the AFA.

If the declarant objects, the rights‑holder must initiate proceedings, civil or criminal, within the time limit set by the regulation to prevent the goods from being released. Failure to act within this window results in the release of the shipment. In practice, anti‑counterfeiting lawyers in Greece routinely advise rights‑holders to have draft court applications prepared in advance, so that filings can be made immediately if an objection is raised. Industry observers expect the volume of objections to remain relatively low, as importers of counterfeit goods rarely wish to draw attention to their operations through formal legal proceedings.

Online Marketplace Takedowns in Greece, Templates and Timing

Online marketplace takedowns represent a critical enforcement channel for brand protection in Greece, particularly as e‑commerce continues to grow. The procedure for removing counterfeit listings varies by platform, but the core elements remain consistent: identify the infringing listing, document the infringement, submit a notice through the platform’s reporting mechanism, and follow up if the listing is not removed within the expected timeframe.

Major platforms operating in the Greek market, including Amazon, eBay and domestic platforms such as Skroutz, maintain dedicated IP‑infringement reporting portals. Rights‑holders do not typically need a Greek court order to trigger a takedown on these platforms; a properly documented notice submitted through the platform’s own system is usually sufficient for a first removal. Court orders become necessary when a seller repeatedly relists infringing products, when the platform’s internal process is unresponsive, or when the rights‑holder seeks to compel disclosure of seller identity information for subsequent litigation.

Marketplace Notice Template

The following template provides a starting framework for an online marketplace takedown notice. It should be adapted to the specific platform’s requirements and submitted through the platform’s designated IP reporting tool:

“Dear [Platform IP Team], I am writing on behalf of [Rights‑holder / Company Name], the registered owner of [Trademark Registration No. / Copyright details]. The following listing(s) [insert URL(s)] offer for sale goods that infringe our registered intellectual property rights. Attached please find: (1) proof of IP ownership, (2) photographs comparing the listed product to our genuine product, and (3) a declaration that this notice is made in good faith. We request the immediate removal of the identified listing(s) and any related listings by the same seller. We reserve all rights to pursue further legal action.”

Response times vary: major international platforms typically action valid notices within 24–72 hours, while smaller domestic platforms may take longer. Documenting every submission, screenshots, timestamps, reference numbers, is essential for building a record that supports escalation to court proceedings if voluntary compliance fails.

When to Combine Takedowns with Customs and Cease‑and‑Desist Letters

The most effective brand‑protection strategies in Greece combine online and offline enforcement channels simultaneously. When intelligence suggests that a seller listing counterfeits online is also importing physical goods, coordinating a marketplace takedown with a customs watch and a formal cease‑and‑desist letter maximises pressure on the infringer. This multi‑channel approach is particularly valuable against organised operations that maintain both physical distribution and e‑commerce storefronts. A cease‑and‑desist letter sent in parallel with a takedown notice establishes a clear record of knowledge, which strengthens any subsequent claim for enhanced damages or criminal intent.

Law No. 5271/2026 and the Expert Registry, Implications for Anti‑Counterfeiting Enforcement

Law No. 5271/2026 represents the most significant recent development in Greek anti‑counterfeiting legislation. Enacted in early 2026 and reported on by the Hellenic Copyright Organisation (OPI), the law addresses art forgery, damage to cultural works and the authentication of artworks through a newly established expert registry. While its primary target is the art market, the law carries broader implications for IP enforcement across multiple sectors.

The legislation introduces criminal penalties for the creation, distribution and sale of forged artworks, as well as for the deliberate damage to works of cultural significance. As analysed by Bernitsas Law, the criminal provisions establish a framework that includes imprisonment and fines, calibrated to the severity and commercial scale of the offence.

What the Expert Registry Does and How to Use It in Court and Police Reports

The expert registry created under Law No. 5271/2026 establishes a formal roster of qualified experts, art historians, conservators, forensic analysts and other specialists, whose opinions on authenticity carry recognised evidentiary weight in Greek civil and criminal proceedings. For rights‑holders, the practical effect is significant: an opinion issued by a registry‑listed expert can serve as a primary evidence component in court filings, police reports and prosecutorial submissions.

To use the registry, a rights‑holder or their counsel submits a request identifying the work in question and the nature of the suspected forgery. The appointed expert examines the work and issues a formal opinion. That opinion can then be submitted alongside customs detention records, marketplace takedown documentation or criminal complaints to create a comprehensive evidentiary package. Early indications suggest that Greek courts and prosecutors will give substantial weight to registry opinions, particularly in cases where authenticity is the central disputed issue.

Strategic Use: Art vs Non‑Art IP Cases, Lessons for Brand Owners

Although Law No. 5271/2026 is targeted at the art market, it offers instructive parallels for brand owners in other sectors. The establishment of a formal expert registry reinforces the principle that credentialed expert opinion strengthens enforcement outcomes. Brand owners facing sophisticated counterfeiting, particularly in luxury goods, pharmaceuticals and electronics, should consider assembling equivalent expert evidence packages, even where the specific registry provisions do not apply, to mirror the evidentiary standards the new law establishes.

Choosing Your Remedy: Civil, Criminal and Administrative Enforcement in Greece

One of the most consequential decisions anti‑counterfeiting lawyers in Greece help rights‑holders make is selecting the appropriate enforcement pathway. Greek law provides three principal routes, civil, criminal and administrative, and the optimal choice depends on the nature of the infringement, the value of the goods, the identity of the infringer, and the rights‑holder’s strategic objectives.

Typical Criminal Procedure Timeline in Greece

Criminal enforcement begins with the filing of a complaint with the public prosecutor or directly with the police IP enforcement unit. Following investigation, which may include raids, seizures and witness interviews, the prosecutor decides whether to bring charges. If charges are filed, the case proceeds to trial before the criminal courts. The entire process, from complaint to first‑instance judgment, typically takes several months to over a year, depending on court scheduling and the complexity of the case. Rights‑holders should be prepared to provide technical expertise and evidence throughout the process, including expert testimony on product authenticity.

Civil Injunctions, Preliminary Measures and Damages

Civil remedies offer rights‑holders more direct control over timing and outcome. Preliminary injunctions can be obtained on an expedited basis, in urgent cases, within days of filing. A successful applicant can secure orders for seizure of infringing goods, freezing of the infringer’s assets, and prohibition of further sales. Final judgments may award compensatory damages, disgorgement of profits, and, in cases of wilful infringement, enhanced damages. The civil route is generally preferred when the rights‑holder’s primary objective is to halt the infringing activity quickly and recover financial losses, rather than to secure a criminal conviction.

Co‑operation with Police, Customs, Marketplaces and EU Channels

Effective anti‑counterfeiting enforcement in Greece rarely depends on a single agency. Rights‑holders achieve the strongest outcomes by coordinating across multiple channels: Hellenic Customs (AADE) for border measures, the Hellenic Police financial crimes and IP enforcement units for raids and criminal investigations, online platforms for digital takedowns, and, where cross‑border elements are involved, EU‑level institutions.

Greek police IP units are experienced in conducting raids on warehouses, retail outlets and street‑market operations. Coordination with customs is particularly effective when intelligence from a customs detention reveals the identity of a domestic distributor, enabling simultaneous enforcement against the importer and the downstream supply chain.

Cross‑Border Help: EU Customs and Coordination

When counterfeit goods transit Greece en route to other EU member states, or when a Greek‑based operation sources counterfeits from outside the EU, rights‑holders can leverage EU customs IP enforcement mechanisms. A Union AFA filed under Regulation (EU) No 608/2013 covers all EU customs entry points, enabling coordinated detentions across borders. EUIPO’s enforcement resources and Europol’s IP crime coordination also provide valuable support for complex, multi‑jurisdictional operations. The likely practical effect of combining national and Union‑level tools is faster detection and a higher overall seizure rate.

Practical Annexes and Templates

Preparedness is the single greatest accelerant to successful enforcement. Rights‑holders operating in or exporting to the Greek market should maintain the following ready‑to‑deploy materials:

• Customs submission pack. Pre‑completed AFA with annexes (proof of rights, product photographs, known infringement intelligence, power of attorney, liability undertaking). Update annually at AFA renewal.
• Marketplace takedown template. A platform‑adaptable notice letter (see template in the online takedowns section above) with pre‑attached evidence packages for each key product line.
• Cease‑and‑desist letter. A formal letter template addressed to identified infringers, referencing specific IP rights, demanding cessation within a stated deadline, and reserving the right to pursue civil and criminal remedies.
• Evidence log. A running register of all enforcement actions taken, screenshots, timestamps, platform reference numbers, customs detention notices, police report numbers, to support escalation and damage calculations.
• Expert registry request form. For art‑market rights‑holders, a draft request to the expert registry under Law No. 5271/2026, identifying the work and the suspected forgery.

Each template should be reviewed and localised by Greek counsel before first use, and updated whenever legislation or platform policies change.

Conclusion: Securing Brand Protection in Greece in 2026

The combination of Law No. 5271/2026, an active customs enforcement environment and expanding online marketplaces makes 2026 a pivotal year for rights‑holders in Greece. The enforcement tools available, customs recordal and detention, marketplace takedowns, the new expert registry, and civil and criminal court remedies, are powerful, but only when deployed proactively and with proper preparation. Rights‑holders who register with Hellenic Customs, maintain ready‑to‑deploy takedown packs and understand when to escalate from administrative to judicial enforcement will be best positioned to protect their brands.

For an immediate assessment of your enforcement options, consult experienced anti‑counterfeiting lawyers in Greece through the Global Law Experts Greece directory. Early legal engagement, before a shipment clears customs or a listing accumulates sales, is consistently the difference between effective protection and costly remediation.

Sources

1. OPI (Hellenic Copyright Organisation), Law No. 5271/2026 news
2. The Art Newspaper, Greece introduces new law to tackle art forgery and damage
3. Bernitsas Law, Recent developments in IP legislation regarding Law 5271/2026
4. AADE, Hellenic Customs Authority
5. Regulation (EU) No 608/2013, EUR-Lex
6. Global Legal Post, Anti-counterfeiting Law Guide: Greece
7. KPW Law, Customs seizure against product and brand piracy
8. Logaras Law, Online anti-counterfeiting enforcement in Greece at a glance