With the deepening of globalization, trade between China and Greece is becoming more and more frequent. Understanding the shipping time from China to Greece can help companies and individuals better plan transportation plans. This article will give a detailed introduction to this.
Introduction to Greece
Greece is located in southeastern Europe, at the southern end of the Balkan Peninsula. Greece has several important international ports and is an important trade hub connecting Europe, Asia and Africa. It mainly imports electronic products, mechanical equipment and daily consumer goods from China.
The Process of Shipping from China to Greece
The logistics process of shipping from China to Greece can be roughly divided into the following main steps.
Preparation stage
Before the goods are transported, they must first be packaged to ensure their safety and integrity during transportation.
Choose the right mode of transportation
Depending on the urgency, budget and transportation volume of the goods, you can choose sea or air transportation. Sea transportation is usually suitable for bulk goods, with a longer transportation time but lower costs; while air transportation is suitable for light and small goods that are urgently needed for transportation, with fast transportation speed but higher costs.
Shipping from China to Greece
During the transportation, the goods may pass through multiple transit ports or airports to reach the destination, depending on the transportation method chosen.
Customs clearance procedures and documents
Once the goods arrive in Greece, they will first go through the import customs clearance procedures of the Greek customs. At this time, relevant documents such as commercial invoices, packing lists, certificates of origin, etc. need to be provided
Pickup and distribution
After completing the import customs clearance, the goods can be picked up at the port or airport. The freight forwarding company will arrange to deliver the goods to the destination.
Factors Affecting the Time of Shipping from China to Greece
The transportation time from China to Greece is mainly affected by the following factors:
- The distance between the port of departure and the port of destination: The different distances between ports such as Shanghai and Shenzhen and the Greek port of Piraeus will directly affect the transportation time.
- Ship speed: Different ship speeds and route selections will also affect the transportation time. Some fast routes may shorten the transportation time, while some traditional routes may be slower.
- Customs and customs clearance process: During the transportation process, customs clearance and customs inspection of goods will also affect the total transportation time. In Greece, customs clearance time usually takes 2-4 days.
- Type of cargo: Some special cargo (dangerous goods) require special handling and take more time to clear customs.
Shipping Time from China to Greece
The main modes of transportation from China to Greece include sea freight and air freight. Different modes of transportation have different characteristics and time limits.
Sea Freight Time from China to Greece
Although sea transportation is highly cost-effective, it takes a long time to transport. Usually, the shipping cycle from China to Greece by sea is about 30-40 days, and the specific time is affected by many factors such as bad weather, voyage, ship schedule, port congestion, etc.
| POL (port of loading) | POD (port of discharge) | Shipping time (days) |
|---|---|---|
| Shanghai | Piraeus | 30-35 days |
| Shenzhen | Piraeus | 28-35 days |
| Qingdao | Piraeus | 28-33 days |
| Ningbo | Piraeus | 27-32 days |
| Shanghai | Patras | 26-32 days |
| Shenzhen | Patras | 27-31 days |
| Qingdao | Patras | 26-33 days |
| Ningbo | Patras | 26-34 days |
| Shanghai | Thessaloniki | 27-33 days |
| Shenzhen | Thessaloniki | 28-32 days |
| Qingdao | Thessaloniki | 28-34 days |
| Ningbo | Thessaloniki | 29-34 days |
Learn more: Cost of shipping 20ft and 40ft containers from China to Greece
Air Freight Time from China to Greece
Air transport is the best choice for transporting urgently needed goods. Although air transport costs more, its transportation time is usually shorter, especially suitable for high-value or time-sensitive goods.
From major airports in China (such as Shanghai Pudong, Beijing Capital, Guangzhou Baiyun, etc.) to Athens International Airport in Greece, air transport time is about 5-7 days. However, it is greatly affected by weather, and the frequency of flights and route selection will also affect the final transportation time.
| Departure Airport (China) | Arrival Airport (Greece) | Shipping time (days) |
| Shanghai Pudong | Athens Eleftherios Venizelos | 5-7 days |
| Guangzhou Baiyun | Athens Eleftherios Venizelos | 6-7 days |
| Beijing Capital | Athens Eleftherios Venizelos | 4-6 days |
| Shanghai Pudong | Thessaloniki Macedonia | 4-7 days |
| Guangzhou Baiyun | Thessaloniki Macedonia | 5-7 days |
| Beijing Capital | Thessaloniki Macedonia | 3-7 days |
Here are the shipping times from China to other countries:
How Long Does it Take to Ship from China to France
How Long Does it Take to Ship from China to Turkey
How Long Does it Take to Ship from China to Morocco?
Tips to Save Time from China to Greece
Although there are some uncontrollable factors in transportation time, there are still some ways to help reduce the overall transportation time:
- Choose the right routes and flights: Choosing direct routes or fast flights can significantly reduce transportation time. Avoid choosing flights and routes that require multiple stops at multiple ports or airports.
- Prepare goods in advance: Make sure that all customs clearance documents and packaging of the goods are completed in advance, which can reduce delays at the beginning of transportation.
- Reserve enough time for customs clearance: Make sure all import documents are prepared to avoid customs clearance delays caused by incomplete documents.
- Efficient freight forwarding cooperation: Choosing an experienced freight forwarding company can help optimize the transportation process.
The following articles can help you make better choices:
How Much Does it Cost to Ship from China to Greece?
Through the introduction in this article, you will have a certain understanding of the timeliness from China to Greece. You can choose the appropriate strategy to shorten the transportation time as much as possible and ensure the smooth arrival of the goods.