Container Shipping to Greece — Get Instant Quotes
Why Choose iContainers for Shipping to Greece
Secure slots at Europe’s 5th-busiest hub. Piraeus Container Terminal handled ≈ 4.22 million TEU in 2024—even after a year-on-year dip, prime berth windows vanish quickly. (portseurope.com)
Stay compliant with EU ICS2 & Greek customs. Our wizard walks you through ENS filings, EORI and EMCS steps, keeping paperwork friction-free.
FCL, LCL & sea-air combos on every lane. Weekly departures link the Americas, Europe and Asia to Piraeus and Thessaloniki, backed by real-time milestone tracking and bilingual support.
Need extra speed? Add an air-freight leg via Athens International Airport (ATH), which moved ≈ 125 k tonnes of flown cargo in 2024—24/7 slots and road-feeder links into the Balkans. (media.aia.gr)
Plan for Suez-route volatility. Red Sea diversions cut deep-sea calls to Piraeus by ≈ 33 % in 2024—we flag schedule shifts early so your boxes don’t miss the vessel. (hellenicshippingnews.com)
Our Container Shipping Services to Greece
Full Container Load (FCL) Shipping
High-volume importers—machinery, pharma, bulk foods, marble blocks—book 20′ & 40′ boxes straight into Piraeus (GRPIR) or Thessaloniki (GRSKG) for same-day rail or truck connections across the Balkans.
Less than Container Load (LCL) Shipping
SMEs trim costs on < 15 m³ loads via weekly consolidations ex-New York, Valencia, Rotterdam, Shanghai & Ningbo—perfect for spare parts or e-commerce restocks.
| Key Service Facts | |
|---|---|
| Popular mode | FCL dominates heavy machinery & chemicals; LCL is surging for SME replenishment |
| Major port / airport served | Piraeus, Thessaloniki; urgent freight via ATH (Athens) or SKG (Thessaloniki) |
| Typical cargo | Machinery, pharmaceuticals, olive oil, marble slabs, apparel, consumer electronics |
| Transit-time snapshots | • New York → Piraeus: ≈ 16–18 days • Valencia → Piraeus: ≈ 4 days • Shanghai → Piraeus: ≈ 44 days |
| Country-specific challenge | Suez detours & occasional dockworker actions—build buffer days into schedules. (hellenicshippingnews.com) |
| Alternative option | Door-to-door air freight (1–3 days) via ATH for time-critical or high-value cargo |
Container shipping rates to Greece
How much does it cost to ship a container to Greece?
How Long Does It Take to Ship a Container to Greece?
- US East Coast → Piraeus: ≈ 16–20 days on direct Med loops
- Intra-Mediterranean (e.g., Valencia → Piraeus): ≈ 4–6 days
- East Asia → Piraeus: ≈ 36–45 days via Suez or Cape routes, depending on carrier strategy)
- Air freight: door-to-door in 1–3 days through ATH or SKG.
Popular Routes and Ports for Shipping to Greece
Asia-Europe services such as AE11 / Silk (Ocean Alliance) and Gemini Mediterranean loops call Piraeus weekly, while short-sea feeders connect Piraeus ↔ Valencia/Algeciras/Barcelona every 2–4 days. Inland, rail corridors move containers to Sofia, Skopje, and Belgrade within 24-48 h of discharge.
Steps to Book Your Container Shipment with iContainers
- Generate an instant quote online.
- Upload paperwork (commercial invoice, packing list, EUR-1 or ATR if applicable).
- Confirm booking & pay securely.
- Track milestones—gate-in, loading, trans-shipment, arrival—in real time.
- Clear customs—DIY via Greek ICISnet or lean on our licensed brokers.
- Arrange final-mile delivery to your warehouse, store, or Amazon FBA location.
What Can You Ship in a Container to Greece?
Common Commodities
- Machinery
- Pharmaceuticals
- Processed foods & beverages
- Olive oil & wine
- Marble & tiles
- Apparel
- Electronics
Restricted / Prohibited
Firearms, counterfeit brands, cultural artifacts, hazardous waste, and untreated wooden packaging without ISPM-15 stamps.
FAQs About Shipping Containers to Greece
Yes—every EU import requires the consignee to hold a valid EORI; register online with Greek Customs in 1-2 days.
For volumes < 15 m³, weekly LCL consolidation is usually the most cost-effective.
Not by Greek law, but carriers’ liability is limited—door-to-door all-risk coverage is strongly recommended.
Secure space 6–8 weeks in advance to avoid roll-overs and peak-season surcharges, especially if Suez diversions persist.