Ocean & Air Freight Shipping From the United States to Greece

Greece's strategic location at the crossroads of Europe, Africa, and Asia makes it an important gateway to the European Union and the broader Mediterranean region. It also allows access to a large market of over 500 million consumers, making it an attractive trading partner for the United States. 

In 2022, the United States exported $3.09 billion worth of goods to Greece. The commodities traded span various goods, with top petroleum gas, scrap iron, and gas turbine exports. 

If you want to ship from the United States to Greece, we provide a complete guide to your ocean and air freight shipping options below. 

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

Ocean freight and air freight are your options to ship goods from the United States to Greece. 

Ocean Freight From the United States to Greece

Ocean freight is the shipping method for those who value cost efficiency and flexibility. It is budget-friendly and can accommodate any type of cargo, whether small or large. It also provides two options for container shipping: less-than-container load (LCL) and full container load (FCL). 

LCL is ideal for those shipping small cargo. Here, a shipper’s goods are consolidated with cargo belonging to other sellers. That way, each shipper only pays for the space their goods occupy, making shipping in small volumes economical. 

FCL, on the other hand, is used by shippers of large, heavy, or oversized cargo. They rent the space in an entire container for their goods alone, giving them more space, control, and security for their shipment. 

Air Freight from the United States to Greece

Air freight is another option for shipping goods from the United States to Greece. Shippers like it because it is fast, making it suitable for time-sensitive or perishable cargo. Shippers of high-value goods also prefer air freight because of stricter airport regulations and processes that can guarantee cargo security. 

Air freight does have its cons, however. The biggest consideration is its cost, which is higher than that of ocean freight. It’s also quite limiting regarding what you can ship and your cargo’s weight, size, and volume. 

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

The cost of shipping cargo from the United States to Greece will depend on the following factors: 

• 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

For an estimate of your shipping costs, use our freight costs calculator online. The table below lists the current cost of shipping a standard 20-foot container from the United States to Greece:

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

Shipping goods from the United States to Greece varies in transit time, primarily based on the international shipping mode you choose. Additional factors impacting this include:

• The shipping season (peak or low)
• The directness of the shipment's route
• The popularity of the trade lane
• Geopolitical issues
• Potential incidents at ports

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

Ocean freight from the United States to Greece will take about 15 to 50 days.

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

Air freight from the United States to Greece will take approximately 2 to 8 business days.

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

Customs Clearance in the United States and Greece

Once your U.S. goods arrive in Greece, they will need to go through the customs clearance process. This should be a breeze, provided you prepare and submit the following requirements: 

• 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

Refer to our full documents list for examples of these customs clearance requirements. 

Should You Choose Ocean Freight or Air Freight?

Now, which mode of international shipping should you choose? That will ultimately depend on your needs, priorities, and cargo requirements. 

Ocean Freight

Ocean freight is right for you if you want to achieve a cost-efficient and flexible shipment. It can accommodate any cargo you need to transport to Greece, whether small, large, light, or heavy. When opting for ocean freight, you must decide whether to ship via LCL or FCL. 

Considerations for LCL Freight Shipping

You should choose LCL if your cargo 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 might be more suitable for you if your cargo 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

If you want or need your cargo to arrive in Greece as fast as possible, air freight is your best bet. It only takes 2 to 10 days to complete, making it ideal for time-sensitive or perishable shipments. You will also appreciate air freight’s security if transporting high-value goods. 

However, remember that air freight is the most expensive way to ship internationally. It’s also unable to accommodate all types of cargo, and there are strict limits on the nature, weight, size, and volume of your goods. 

Ocean Cargo Port Guide

Cargo ports of origin in the United States

Port of Los Angeles

The Port of Los Angeles is known as “America’s Port.” It’s the largest port in North America and handles 20% of all incoming cargo for the United States. The port spans 7,500 acres and has 25 cargo terminals. 

Port of New York and New Jersey 

The Port of New York and New Jersey is the largest port on the U.S. East Coast. It handles over 7.4 million TEUs per year and can handle different cargo types. It’s an important port for the region's economy. 

Port of Long Beach

The Port of Long Beach is a primary trade gateway, ranking 21st among the busiest container ports in the world. It’s popular for its eco-friendly practices. The port can accommodate a wide variety of cargo and handles over 9.13 million TEUs annually. 

Cargo ports of arrival in Greece

Port of Heraklion

The Port of Heraklion is located on the northern side of Crete Island in Greece. Despite being rather small, it is one of the busiest ports in the country and operates as both a harbor for tourists and a cargo port. 

Port of Volos

The Port of Volos is located on the Gulf of Pagasitikos in Eastern Greece. It is well-sheltered and has a breakwater from the east to the port’s center, which helps protect ships. The port can accommodate vessels up to 35,000 DWT.

Port of Igoumenitsa

The Port of Igoumenitsa is an essential gateway to northern and central Greece. It serves as an entry point for passengers and goods from EU countries and is one of the largest passenger and cargo facilities in the country. 

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

Airports of origin in the United States

Miami International Airport

The Miami International Airport serves Miami in the state of Florida in the United States. It operates over 1,000 daily flights to 185 domestic and international destinations. The airport handles over 2.7 million metric tonnes of cargo per year. 

John F Kennedy International Airport

The John F Kennedy International Airport serves the city of New York and its metropolitan area. It is an operating base for Norse Atlantic Airways and a hub for Delta Air Lines, JetBlue, American Airlines, and more. 

Philadelphia International Airport

The Philadelphia International Airport serves Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, United States. It is the busiest airport in the state and the 21st busiest in the country. The airport is a hub for American Airlines, US Airways, PSA Airlines, and more.

Airports of arrival in Greece

Athens International Airport

The Athens International Airport is the largest international airport in Greece. It primarily serves the city of Athens and the Attica region. The airport is the main base of Aegean Airlines and is a hub for SKY Express, Volotea, Olympic Air, and more. 

Thessaloníki Airport

The Thessaloníki Airport, formerly the Mikra Airport, serves the second-largest city in Greece, Thessaloniki. It is 13 kilometers southeast of the town. The airport has over 54,000 aircraft movements per year. 

Chíos Island National Airport

The Chíos Island National Airport is located on the island of Chios, Greece, specifically in the Kampos region south of the city. It boasts a large runway that can accommodate aircraft the size of  Airbus A320.