We Respect Your Privacy
We use cookies to operate this website, improve usability, deliver better user experience, and improve our marketing. Your privacy is important to us and we never collect any personal data.View Cookie policy
Header 1.jpg
accounting_coins_stack_5b47c57939.svg
Transparent Pricing
Pin_e4aa1f4715_9addb2138e.svg
Real-time Shipment Visibility
Personal_account_manager_c8a6fb1136_5fac54be59.svg
Personal Account Manager
An innovation byAgility_Logo_Copy_cb0144dbc4.svg

iContainers is an online logistics platform optimized to help your business easily access the global trade environment. We digitalize international freight forwarding services to simplify global logistics & facilitate trade.

Greece and the US share a strong history of trade ties, encompassing a broad range of industries from agriculture to technology and energy to tourism. The nations have bonded through shared challenges and opportunities in the 21st century, creating a partnership that fuels innovation and drives mutual growth.


In 2022, Greece exported $2.4 billion worth of goods to the US, with refined petroleum accounting for the top exported product at $499 million. Processed vegetables ($255 million) and cement ($152 million) were also top commodities. 


If you need to ship goods from Greece to the US, here’s your complete guide to the process. 


What Are the Options for Shipping Freight From Greece to the United States?


There are two ways to ship freight from Greece to the US. These are ocean and air freight. 


Ocean Freight From Greece to the United States


Ocean freight is the most common shipping option because of its affordability and flexibility. It’s so versatile that it can accommodate any type of cargo and even offers shippers two options for container shipping, including less-than-container load (LCL) and full-container load (FCL). 


LCL is used by shippers of small cargo. Their goods will be consolidated with shipments belonging to other sellers and shipped together in one container. Each shipper will only have to pay for the space their cargo occupies, making it a highly economical choice. 


FCL is for larger, heavy-weight shipments. The shipper rents the space in an entire container for their goods alone, giving them more space, control, and security for their cargo. Although more expensive than LCL, FCL makes up for it with its quicker transit times. 


Air Freight from Greece to the United States


Air freight is another way to ship goods from Greece to the US. As the fastest mode of international shipping, it’s preferred by shippers who need to ship cargo quickly, such as when transporting time-sensitive and perishable goods. 


High-value goods shippers will also like air freight for its security. Since airports have stricter regulations and processes, the safety of goods during transit is much better guaranteed. 


Air freight, however, has its drawbacks. The first is the cost, with prices significantly higher than ocean freight. It’s also not as flexible and cannot accommodate cargo of all types, sizes, weights, and volumes. 


How Much Does it Cost to Ship Cargo From Greece to the United States?


The cost to ship goods from Greece to the US will depend on a couple of factors, such as: 


  • Your choice of ocean or air shipping
  • Your preference for door-to-door, port-to-port, port-to-door, or door-to-port shipment
  • Your consignment’s weight, volume, and size
  • Weight and size limits

Determine your shipping costs by using our online freight costs calculator. The table below shows the current cost of shipping a standard 20-foot container from Greece to the US:

TRADE LANE RATES

Freight Shipping Cost from Greece to the United States for a 20-foot Container

How long does it take to ship cargo from Greece to the United States?


The transit time for goods shipped from Greece to the US depends mainly on your selected international shipping mode. Additional factors influencing the transit time are:


  • The shipping season (peak or low)
  • Direct or indirect shipment route
  • The trade lane's popularity
  • Geopolitical instability
  • Potential incidents at ports

How long does it take to ship cargo by sea from Greece to the United States?


Ocean freight from Greece to the US will take 15 to 50 days.


How long does it take to ship cargo by air from Greece to the United States?


Air freight is a much faster way to transport goods from Greece to the US, only taking 2 to 8 days.


For the most accurate estimate, we recommend using our transit time calculator.

Customs Clearance in Greece and the United States


When your goods arrive in the US, they will be subject to the customs clearance process. For this, you will need to prepare the following documents: 


  • A commercial invoice
  • A packing list
  • A certificate of origin
  • A letter of credit or other payment terms (depending on the contract between the parties involved)
  • A bill of lading for ocean freight or an Airway Bill for air freight

For examples of these customs clearance requirements, refer to our full documents list


Should You Choose Ocean Freight or Air Freight?


Choosing between ocean freight and air freight should be done with your needs, priorities, and cargo requirements in mind. Here are some tips to help you decide which to go for. 


Ocean Freight


Ocean freight is right for you if you’re either shipping on a budget or transporting cargo with unique requirements. Transporting goods by sea doesn’t cost much, and you can enjoy the flexibility of shipping any cargo type. 


If you opt for ocean freight, you must choose between LCL and FCL wisely. 


Considerations for LCL Freight Shipping


LCL is great for cargo that is: 


  • Small in size and quantity 
  • Lightweight
  • Suitable for consolidation with cargo belonging to other shippers 
  • Not delicate, fragile, or high-value 
  • Not requiring special handling or movement 

Considerations for FCL Freight Shipping


FCL is more suitable for cargo that is: 


  • Large in size and quantity 
  • Heavy or overweight
  • Not suitable for consolidation with cargo belonging to other shippers 
  • Delicate, fragile, or high-value 
  • Requiring special handling or movement 

Air Freight


Air freight is the fastest way to ship goods worldwide, making it ideal for time-sensitive and perishable cargo or if you simply want your goods to arrive in the US fast. It’s also the most secure, making it highly suitable for high-value shipments. 


However, note that air freight is the most expensive mode of international transport, so crunch your budget accordingly. You should also check if air freight can accommodate your cargo's type, size, weight, and volume, as it’s not as flexible as ocean freight.


Ocean Cargo Port Guide


Cargo ports of origin in Greece


Piraeus Port


The Piraeus Port is Athens's primary seaport. It handles a wide variety of cargo types, with the main exports being cotton, fruit, and cement. It receives over 5.4 million TEUs per year and is considered Greece’s largest port. 


Port of Thessaloniki


The Port of Thessaloniki is located in northern Greece, near the main Trans-European motorway and railway networks. It’s among the Eastern Mediterranean’s largest seaports and the second-largest container port in Greece. The port handles 460,000 TEUs or more per year.


Port of Aspropyrgos


The Port of Aspropyrgos has Greece's largest capacity for handling crude oil and products. It boasts three piers, including the LPG pier, the new pier, and the old pier. The port’s south jetty handles over 3 million tonnes of cargo annually, while the north jetty handles 2.9 million tonnes.


Cargo ports of arrival in the United States


Port of Savannah 


The Port of Savannah is located in the US state of Georgia. It’s the fourth-busiest port in the nation and houses the largest container terminal in the Western Hemisphere. It’s a good option for the shipment of vehicles. 


Port of Seattle


The Port of Seattle is the fifth-busiest seaport in the US and the second-busiest port on the West Coast. It’s an important hub for large shipments, including vehicles. 


Port of Houston 


The Port of Houston is the fastest-developing American port. It’s located in the US state of Texas. It ranks 7th in the nation in terms of total amount of cargo, handling up to 70% of container traffic in the Gulf Coast per year. 


Air Freight from Greece to the United States: An airport guide


Airports of origin in Greece


Athens International Airport


The Athens International Airport is the largest international airport in Greece. It serves the city of Athens and the region of Attica. It’s the main base of Aegean Airlines and serves as a hub for Aegean Airlines, Volotea, Olympic Air, Olympic Airlines, and more. The airport sees over 241,000 aircraft movements per year. 


Thessaloniki Airport 


Thessaloniki Airport, formerly the Mikra Airport, is an international airport serving Thessaloniki, Greece’s second-largest city. It sees over 54,000 aircraft movements per year and serves as a hub for Aegean Airlines, Ryanair, SKY Express, Olympic Air, TUI Airways, Olympic Airlines, Ellinair, and Astra Airlines.


Chíos Airport


The Chíos Airport is located on Chios Island in Greece, in the region of Kampos. It’s also called the Chios National Airport, "Omiros", or Chios Island National Airport. The airport sees 5,492 aircraft movements per year. 


Airports of arrival in the United States


John F. Kennedy International Airport 


The John F. Kennedy International Airport is an important airport for transatlantic trade. It handles over 800,000 metric tonnes of cargo per year. The airport's cargo facility boasts advanced technology and a fully automated cargo handling system. 


Hartsfield-Jackson Atlanta International Airport 


The Hartsfield-Jackson Atlanta International Airport handles over 700,000 metric tonnes of cargo per year. Located in the southern USA, it functions as an important cargo hub. The airport has a dedicated cargo terminal that operates 24 hours a day, 7 days a week. 


Dallas/Fort Worth International Airport 


The Dallas/Fort Worth International Airport is a primary gateway to Latin America. It handles over 900,000 metric tonnes of goods per year and boasts a dedicated cargo terminal operating 24/7. Its central location makes it an ideal hub for cargo operations.

About Us

Why Ship From Greece to the United States With iContainers?

Why Us?

Shipping cargo is influenced by various factors, including the season, shipment size, shipping method, and the starting and ending locations.


iContainers, with years of industry expertise, combines traditional freight forwarding services with modern technology to enhance your convenience. Our digital platform lets you manage every aspect of your shipment—from requesting a quote to booking and tracking your cargo—all from your mobile device.


Reach out to us for a free quote whenever you need. We are always ready to assist you with the information you need.

iContainers is a digital freight forwarder based in Barcelona that assists thousands of companies and families around the globe in moving their merchandise internationally.


Our online freight quoting platform has the latest technology in the sector and simplifies ocean freight, quoting and managing your bookings from the same user area.


We are part of the Agility group, and we work side by side with Shipa Freight to fully cover the demands of our customers.

agility-logo
Get in touch
United States:+1-830-465-4006
Spain:+34932204856
Dominican Republic:+1-829-946-0444
UAE:+1 (830) 465 4006
India:+917981212480
Canada:+1 437-747-8314
All Rights Reserved. © 2024 iContainers