China and Greece have maintained political relations for 50 years. Greece is an important part of the cooperation between China and Central and Eastern European countries and the “One Belt, One Road” initiative. Over the past five years, Greece has invested in each other and cooperated closely in various fields.
From January to November 2023, bilateral trade volume was US$12.41 billion, of which China’s export volume was US$11.63 billion and import volume was US$780 million. China’s exports to Greece mainly include: electronic products, clothing, machinery and equipment, household appliances, furniture, etc. The main imported commodities include: medicines, petroleum, marble, etc.
As the leading freight forwarder in China, Linkshare takes this opportunity to share the complete transportation guide from China to Greece for customers importing from China, including transportation methods, transportation time, costs, etc. Hope it helps you.
What are the shipping methods from China to Greece?
Sea Freight and air Freight are the main modes of cargo transportation between China and Greece.
Sea Freight from China to Greece
Sea freight has become the most popular way to ship goods from China to Greece due to its low transportation costs and large capacity. It can accommodate a variety of cargo, including oversized heavy items, heavy equipment such as excavators, large precision equipment, etc., making it a cost-effective option for transporting large quantities of cargo.
However, ocean shipping requires longer transit times and is therefore less suitable for time-sensitive shipments. If you choose to ship by sea to Greece, it is crucial to conduct inventory checks and plan purchase orders in advance to reduce the risk of stock-outs.
There are many types of shipping, the more formal ones are FCL and LCL.
FCL (Full Container Load): Shipping a container filled specifically for one customer from China to Greece. Shipping FCL is more cost effective
LCL (than container load): Sharing a container with other customers who are shipping goods to the same destination at the same time. Of course, due to the extra work (consolidation, unpacking, warehousing, paperwork, etc.), the final cost per unit is higher than the full box, and the shipping time is longer. LCL is a great option for small businesses.
Major Greece ports
Port of Piraeus
The Port of Piraeus is the largest port in the Mediterranean and the fourth largest container handling port in Europe.
It is not only the gateway for goods entering and leaving Greece, but also a transshipment port to Europe (Germany, France, Italy), North Africa (Egypt, Libya, Algeria, Morocco) and West Africa (Nigeria, Senegal).
The Port of Piraeus is 67% owned by COSCO Shipping Lines. Since COSCO Group took over, the cargo volume of Piraeus Port has increased significantly, and Piraeus Port is becoming the gateway to Europe and the Middle East under China’s “One Belt, One Road” initiative.
Port of Thessaloniki
The Port of Thessaloniki is the second largest container port in Greece. It is the largest port in the Greek region of Macedonia. As a free port, it is also the main gateway to the Balkan hinterland, Romania, Turkey, Saudi Arabia, the UAE and Southeast Europe.
Port of Ermoupoli
Port of Ermoupoli is mainly a transshipment port to Europe, Middle East countries (Turkey, Saudi Arabia, UAE) and other regions.
Air freight from China to Greece
Since there is no direct rail link between China and Greece, air freight is the second possible option for transporting goods. You may consider air freight services if:
- You care more about speed and security than cost.
- Your shipment is time sensitive.
- The goods you transport are perishable.
- You transport high value or luxury goods.
No matter which of the above situations you find yourself in, air freight offers a fast and reliable solution when shipping from China to Greece. However, it is important to note that air freight can be more expensive.
Air cargo capacity is limited and may not be suitable for transporting large or bulky items. Additionally, due to airline restrictions, some products may be classified as sensitive or hazardous and whether they can be transported remains a question.
Air freight from China to Greece process
- Collect goods
To assemble goods for customers, adjustments to packaging materials and packing lists are necessary. It is important to know that shipping goods is impossible without packaging and organization. And the material in the package must be an array. Once the goods are assembled, we can move on to the next step. - Transport to China airport
After the packing steps are completed, your shipment will be transported to the truck section for transfer to the airport. Don’t worry, Linkshare has selected the best trucks to transport to the airport, and your supplies are completely safe. Please remember to purchase shipping insurance. - Transport documents
This part is very necessary and important. The documents are prepared for you by the Chinese freight forwarding company. These documents contain information about the goods, payment, shipping times, and other information that you should always retain. Remember, these documents will serve as your evidence. If there is a problem with the shipment, you can follow up on the received documents and inspect your shipment. Therefore, be sure to ask for documentation after the goods are delivered to the company. - Arrival of goods
Your goods will enter the dedicated warehouse immediately after arriving at the destination airport in Greece by air. After a few steps and checks, the customer can pick up the goods from the warehouse.
Major Airports in Greece
Athens International Airport (ATH): As the largest and busiest airport in Greece, Athens International Airport plays a central role in shipping activities. It offers extensive cargo handling facilities and efficient connections.
Heraklion International Airport (HER): Located on the island of Crete, Heraklion Airport is an important gateway for cargo and serves the region’s unique logistics needs.
Thessaloniki International Airport (SKG): Located in northern Greece, Thessaloniki Airport is the country’s third largest airport and an important transportation hub connecting Greece to international destinations.
How much does it cost to ship from China to Greece in 2024?
The final cost of shipping from China to Greece depends on several factors. Before preparing a quote, your freight forwarder may ask for the following details:
- Nature of your shipment
- Your preferred shipping method (FCL, LCL, air freight)
- The weight and dimensions of your shipment
- Origin and destination
- Service type (e.g. port-to-port, door-to-door)
Cost Of Shipping 20ft & 40ft Container From China To Greece
- How much does it cost to ship a 20-foot container from China to Greece?
The average price for shipping a 20-foot container from China to Greece is US$2,050 to US$3,550. Shipping schedules for 20-foot containers from China to Greece vary by route. - How much does it cost to ship a 40-foot container from China to Greece?
The average price for shipping a 40-foot container from China to Greece is US$3,050 to US$5,550. Shipping schedules for 40-foot containers from China to Greece vary by route.
You might want to know:
Container shipping rates from China to Greece:
These are the average prices to ship a container from China to Greece with the cheapest rates for loading and shipping containers from the major ports in China to Greece for 20ft and 40ft containers (FCL) with all types of cargo such as: commercial cargo, vehicles, or personal effects for international shipments from China to Greece.
| Container shipping service to Greece | Type of container | Ocean freight rates to Greece: |
|---|---|---|
| How much does it cost to ship a container from Shanghai to Greece | 20 foot container FCL 40 foot container FCL | average prices from: $2850 20FT average prices from: $4250 40FT |
| How much does it cost to ship a container from Qingdao to Greece | 20 foot container FCL 40 foot container FCL | average prices from: $3050 20FT average prices from: $4550 40FT |
| How much does it cost to ship a container from Shenzhen to Greece | 20 foot container FCL 40 foot container FCL | average prices from: $3050 20FT average prices from: $4550 40FT |
| How much does it cost to ship a container from Tianjin to Greece | 20 foot container FCL 40 foot container FCL | average prices from: $3550 20FT average prices from: $4850 40FT |
| How much does it cost to ship a container from Ningbo to Greece | 20 foot container FCL 40 foot container FCL | average prices from: $3250 20FT average prices from: $4550 40FT |
| How much does it cost to ship a container from Hong Kong to Greece | 20 foot container FCL 40 foot container FCL | average prices from: $3250 20FT average prices from: $4250 40FT |
| How much does it cost to ship a container from Guangzhou to Greece | 20 foot container FCL 40 foot container FCL | average prices from: $3250 20FT average prices from: $4850 40FT |
Air freight cost per kilogram from China to Greece
Air freight from China to Greece costs approximately $5.5 to $12.5 per kilogram, and cargo must weigh at least 45 kilograms to qualify for air freight. Air freight from China to Greece takes 3 to 8 days (including the time required for loading, unloading, inspection and other procedures). Please keep in mind that this fee includes air shipping only and does not include customs duties or other taxes that may arise due to importation.
How long does it take to ship from China to Greece?
From China to Greece, sea shipping takes 30 to 45 days and air shipping takes 3 to 7 days.
Actual shipping time depends on a variety of factors, such as shipping mode, departure/destination terminals, selected services and routes, weather, seasonal changes in shipping markets, etc.
Sea Freight container Time From China To Greece
The average transit time, sailing, and vessel schedule to ship your container from China to Greece from the major ports in China.
| Continent of origin | Country of origin | Port of origin | Port of destination | Transit time (days) | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Asia | China | Port of Shanghai | Port of Thessaloniki | 35 | |
| Asia | China | Port of Shenzhen | Port of Piraeus | 40 | |
| Asia | China | Port of Ningbo-Zhoushan | Port of Thessaloniki | 38 | |
| Asia | China | Port of Hong Kong | Port of Piraeus | 39 | |
| Asia | China | Port of Guangzhou | Port of Thessaloniki | 40 | |
| Asia | China | Port of Qingdao | Port of Piraeus | 42 | |
| Asia | China | Port of Tianjin | Port of Thessaloniki | 42 | |
| Asia | China | Port of Dalian | Port of Piraeus | 37 | |
| Asia | China | Port of Xiamen | Port of Thessaloniki | 40 | |
| Asia | China | Port of Yingkou | Port of Piraeus | 42 |
Air Freight Time From China To Greece
In most cases, air shipping from China to Greece takes 3 to 7 days, and during peak seasons, shipping times may be longer.
There are direct flights from some cities in China to Athens. The transportation time from airport to airport only takes a few hours, and air freight from China can arrive on the same day.
Direct flights:
Shanghai – Athens
Beijing – Athens
How to ship from China to Greece
Step one: Contact the freight forwarder; China will be given priority.
You can contact the freight forwarder in China or your country Greece. Greek freight forwarders are most likely to rely on local freight forwarders in China. Therefore, China-based freight forwarders are preferred because much of the complexity and uncertainty of international freight lies with the origin, not the destination.
Step 2: Get a shipping quote from China
Submit your shipping details and requirements to request a shipping quote from your freight forwarder.
Step 3: Connect freight forwarders with suppliers
Connect freight forwarders with your suppliers to initiate bookings and coordinate preparation, trucking, loading, customs and shipping paperwork.
Step 4: Purchase cargo insurance (optional)
This is the best way to prevent damage or loss during shipping at an affordable price.
Step 5: Arrange Customs Clearance
Be prepared for shipment arrival and customs clearance.
Or you can rely on us for one-stop door-to-door shipping solutions from China to Greece.
What documents are needed to import from China to Greece?
The requirement for importing from China to Greece is to present an English-translated commercial invoice and a detailed packing list, which must indicate the quantity, product type and shipping location details, and then provide the following documents to customs in Greece:
Goods imported from China must have the following documents:
- Bill of Lading Manifest, used for import, release and tax purposes.
- Greek tax identification number
- Tariff subheadings and location of goods
- Register as an importer in Greece
- Greek customs value declaration
- Showcasing Greece’s economic solvency
- Develop the terms of an Incoterms import agreement.
- Find a good customs broker in Greece
- Original bill of lading, sea waybill or air waybill from the shipping company
- packing list
- commercial invoice
- China Joint Certificate of Production Value and Origin (CCVO)
- A letter of authorization authorizing your customs broker to handle import customs clearance for you in Greece.
Taxes and duties for importing from China to Greece:
Importing items from China Supply Chain Management to Greece is subject to customs duties. You must pay import duties at the Greek Customs and as a general rule for imports, ad valorem taxes or customs duties are payable, which range from 0% to 100% of the CIF value of the goods shipped in the container. Additionally, you must pay value-added tax (VAT) ranging from 0% to 25%. VAT will be applied to the total import price CIF Incoterms + customs duties (duty). + General import duties to Greece, if importing from China additional duties may apply.