Shipping from China to Greece

Shipping from China to Greece | Sea, Air, Rail, DDP Shipping Cost & Time

Shipping from China to Greece is a cost-effective and efficient trade route, connecting a major exporter with a strategic European market. With sea and air freight options, businesses can choose the most suitable transportation method based on cost, speed, and cargo volume. By capitalizing on the growing trade opportunities in Greece and ensuring proper planning, businesses can expand their operations and tap into this promising market.

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 less suitable for time-sensitive shipments. If you ship by sea to Greece, conducting inventory checks and planning purchase orders is crucial to reduce stock-out risk.

LCL shipping from China to Greece

LCL (Less than Container Load) involves sharing a container with other customers who are concurrently shipping goods to the same destination, which offers a cost-effective solution for small businesses.

FCL shipping from China to Greece

By utilizing FCL shipping, the customer can maximize cost efficiency as the entire container is dedicated solely to their goods. FCL shipping eliminates additional tasks such as consolidation and unpacking, streamlined logistics processes, and shorter shipping times.

Container shipping time & rates from China to Greece

Major Greece ports

1. Piraeus is the largest port in the Mediterranean and Europe’s fourth-largest container-handling port. It is the critical entry and exit point for goods in Greece and functions as a transshipment hub for various destinations, including Germany, France, Italy, North Africa (Egypt, Libya, Algeria, Morocco), and West Africa (Nigeria, Senegal). It has emerged as a pivotal gateway to Europe and the Middle East within China’s “One Belt, One Road” initiative.
2. Thessaloniki, which is Greece’s second-largest container port. It is located in the Macedonian region and is the primary port for the Balkan hinterland, Romania, Turkey, Saudi Arabia, the UAE, and Southeast Europe.
3. Ermoupoli is a transshipment port for Europe and Middle Eastern countries such as Turkey, Saudi Arabia, the UAE, and other regions. It facilitates trade and transportation between these areas.

Air freight from China to Greece

For time-sensitive goods from China to Greece, air freight is the preferred choice due to tight deadlines or the perishable nature of the cargo. Despite being more expensive, air shipping’s faster delivery time of 3-5 days justifies the higher cost. It is particularly beneficial for well-funded supply chains prioritizing speed and security, especially for high-value or luxury items.
Air freight surpasses other modes of transport in terms of safety, speed, and convenience. Its superior flexibility in scheduling deliveries and efficient management of goods flow are two notable advantages that should not be underestimated.

Air shipping transit time to Greece

• Air freight time from China to Greece is typically 3-4 days.

The actual transit time may vary due to factors such as the chosen airport, specific service and route, weather conditions, and even fluctuations in the shipping market.

Main airports in Greece

1. Athens (IATA CODE: ATH):
   Athens International Airport is the largest airport in the Balkans and, as of 2023, the 15th busiest airport in Europe.
2. Thessaloniki (IATA CODE: SKG):
   Thessaloniki Airport, following Athens International Airport and Heraklion International Airport, is the third-largest airport in Greece.

Air freight cost from China to Greece

• The approximate cost of air freight from China to Greece is $6 to $10 per kilogram.

Air shipping costs from China to Greece vary based on cargo weight, dimensions, origin-destination airports, service type, and additional services needed. Contact freight forwarders or shipping companies for accurate quotes based on your shipment requirements.

Rail Freight from China to Greece

Rail freight from China to Greece has become an increasingly important shipping method in modern supply chains due to its cost-effectiveness compared to air freight and faster transit times compared to sea freight.

There are three available rail freight routes from China to Greece.

1. The most popular route is between Xi’an, China, and Piraeus, Greece, covering a distance of over 8,000 kilometers (5,000 miles). The total transit time for this route is approximately 25 days.
2. The second route is between Chengdu, China, and Thessaloniki, Greece, covering a distance of over 7,000 kilometers (4,390 miles). The total transit time for this route is around 23 days.
3. The third route operates between Zhengzhou, China, and Duisburg, Germany, with onward transportation to Greece. This route covers a distance of over 5,000 kilometers (3,107 miles) and has a total transit time of approximately 17 days.

Rail freight from China to Greece can accommodate general, bulk, or roll cargo shipments. The maximum weight per container is 23.5 tons.

Rail freight transit time

• Rail freight from China to Greece typically takes around 18-20 days.

It offers a cost-effective, time-efficient alternative to sea shipping from China to Greece. The establishment of the modern Silk Road and the Express Rail Link between China and Europe has revolutionized the movement of goods between these two continents. One route available is between Zhengzhou, China, and Greece, with a transit time of about 12 days.

DDP shipping from China to Greece

DDP shipping is a cost-efficient option for shipping goods from China to Greece. NewSmartShip, as the top Chinese freight forwarder, can assist you with DDP shipping service from China to Greece, which can be done via sea, road, rail, or air freight.

In Greece, DDP is known as door-to-door (D2D) shipping. The consignee receives the shipment at their doorstep without additional charges. NewSmartShip takes responsibility for any damages or losses during transit, ensuring safe final delivery.

DDP (Delivery Duty Paid) means the seller covers all transportation and insurance costs, which differs from FOB (Free on Board), where the buyer assumes costs after a specific point. Cargo must undergo customs clearance in China before export. You can send the goods to our Shenzhen warehouse or appoint us to collect them directly from your factory in China.

In Greece, import declarations are handled by our customs agent partners, eliminating the need for VAT and EORI requirements. We manage all customs clearance procedures from China and Greece, and final delivery is arranged by reliable couriers such as UPS or DPD.

DDP shipping time from China to Greece

• Air freight DDP from China to Greece, shipping time 7-10 days.
• Truck and road (LCL) DDP shipping from China to Greece usually takes 15-17 days to transit.
• Rail freight DDP from China to Greece usually takes 25-28 days.
• Sea freight DDP from China to Greece transit time is 30-35 days for LCL shipments.

Import customs clearance in Greece

Importing commodities into a country involves various procedures and can differ from country to country. Import customs clearance is usually handled by either an employee of the importing company or a designated customs broker. The responsible party must understand their obligations during the customs clearance process to ensure an accurate accounting of duties and VAT.

In Greece, customs clearance for imports is required upon a shipment’s arrival at the seaport. This process typically takes 1-2 days. NewSmartShip has its own customs broker in Greece that handles import customs declarations. We can help you with the import customs clearance process if you do not have a customs broker.

Importing documents from China to Greece

To import goods from China into Greece, certain documents such as the following documents:

• The original bill of lading, sea waybill, or airway bill is from the shipping company
• Tax number in Greece
• Packing list
• Commercial invoice
• Certificate of Origin from China (CCVO)
• Power of attorney authorizing the customs broker to handle the import customs clearance in Greece

Importing taxes and duties in Greece

When importing goods from China into Greece, it would be best to consider the applicable taxes and duties. The tariff rate ranges from 0% to 100% based on the CIF value of the goods in the container shipment.
In addition to import tariffs, you will also be required to pay the value-added tax (VAT). The VAT rate in Greece varies from 0% to 25%. It is calculated based on the total price of the import, including the CIF value (as per Incoterm), Customs tax (tariff), and any general import rates.

• Tariff rates and duties from 0 % to 100% + VAT from 0% to 25%

FAQ

What is the cheapest shipping method from China to Greece?

The cheapest shipping method from China to Greece is sea freight. It is cost-effective if you are not hurrying to receive your goods. Sea shipping typically takes 23-30 days, although weather conditions can influence the duration.

Sea freight offers more flexibility for transporting oversized cargo. The larger your shipment, the more cost-effective it becomes to ship it by sea than air or rail. Each mode of transportation restricts the types of items that can be shipped and the space they require in a container.