The trade links between China and Greece are becoming increasingly close, especially the transportation of goods by sea and air. Whether it is a business or an individual, understanding the cost of shipping from China to Greece can help effectively reduce logistics costs and improve efficiency. This article will introduce it in detail.
Cost Composition of Shipping from China to Greece
Common modes of transportation include sea and air, and the specific choice depends on the type, volume, weight and transportation time requirements of the goods.
Composition of sea freight costs
- Sea freight costs: usually calculated according to the volume (cubic meters) or weight (tons) of the goods.
- Port charges: including loading and unloading costs, warehousing costs, and port usage fees.
- Container loading and unloading costs: Shipping companies or port operating companies usually charge container loading and unloading costs.
- Insurance costs: Transportation insurance costs are usually calculated based on the value of the goods and the transportation risk.
Composition of air freight costs
- Air freight costs: usually calculated according to the weight or volume of the goods.
- Fuel surcharge: Fuel surcharges are charged according to fluctuations in fuel prices.
- Airport charges: including handling fees at the destination airport, cargo entry inspection fees, and related storage fees.
- Documentation and customs clearance fees: customs clearance fees and related agency service fees need to be paid.
Ocean freight is more economical for bulk goods, such as industrial equipment, furniture or other non-urgent goods. Air freight is faster, although more expensive, but is suitable for electronic products or seasonal goods.
Sea Freight Cost from China to Greece
Sea freight is usually charged by service type. FCL transport is transported by a whole container and is generally charged by container. Common container sizes are 20ft and 40ft. LCL is to assemble different goods in one container and is usually charged by volume.
Cost of Shipping 20ft and 40ft Containers from China to Greece
Transporting from China to a 20-foot container costs about $2,500-$3,500, and a 40-foot container costs $3,500-$5,000. The following is a detailed cost range:
| POL (port of loading) | POD (port of discharge) | 20ft container cost | 40ft container cost |
|---|---|---|---|
| Shanghai | Piraeus | $2550-$3550 | $3500-$4800 |
| Shenzhen | Piraeus | $2500-$3500 | $3550-$4750 |
| Ningbo | Piraeus | $2500-$3500 | $3450-$4650 |
| Shanghai | Patras | $2450-$3650 | $3250-$4800 |
| Shenzhen | Patras | $2300-$3300 | $3500-$5000 |
| Ningbo | Patras | $2350-$3450 | $3450-$4850 |
| Shanghai | Thessaloniki | $2300-$3300 | $3450-$4650 |
| Shenzhen | Thessaloniki | $2500-$3500 | $3500-$4800 |
| Ningbo | Thessaloniki | $2550-$3550 | $3450-$4850 |
Find out how much it costs to ship a container from China to other countries:
Cost of Shipping 20ft and 40ft Containers from China to France
Cost of Shipping 20ft and 40ft Containers from China to Turkey
Cost of Shipping 20ft & 40ft Containers from China to Egypt
LCL Shipping Cost from China to Greece
LCL is suitable for small quantities of goods and is charged by volume (cubic meters). The cost per cubic meter is usually $80-$120.
| POL (port of loading) | POD (port of discharge) | LCL shipping costs |
|---|---|---|
| Shanghai | Piraeus | $85-$115 |
| Shenzhen | Piraeus | $80-$110 |
| Ningbo | Piraeus | $82-$112 |
| Shanghai | Patras | $84-$120 |
| Shenzhen | Patras | $83-$109 |
| Ningbo | Patras | $85-$120 |
| Shanghai | Thessaloniki | $80-$120 |
| Shenzhen | Thessaloniki | $90-$115 |
| Ningbo | Thessaloniki | $85-$110 |
Air Freight Cost from China to Greece
The chargeable weight of air freight is the larger of the actual weight of the goods and the volumetric weight.
- Actual weight: the actual gross weight of the goods, usually in kilograms.
- Volumetric weight: the weight converted according to the volume of the goods.
The following formula is generally used to calculate the volumetric weight of international air freight
Volumetric weight (kg) = length (cm) × width (cm) × height (cm) ÷ 6000
The air freight cost is about $6-$10 per kilogram.
| Departure Airport (China) | Arrival Airport (Canada) | Cost Range (USD/kg) |
| Shanghai Pudong | Athens Eleftherios Venizelos | $6.0 – $9.0 |
| Guangzhou Baiyun | Athens Eleftherios Venizelos | $7.0 – $9.8 |
| Beijing Capital | Athens Eleftherios Venizelos | $6.5 – $9.8 |
| Shanghai Pudong | Thessaloniki Macedonia | $6.5 – $10.0 |
| Guangzhou Baiyun | Thessaloniki Macedonia | $6.0 – $9.5 |
| Beijing Capital | Thessaloniki Macedonia | $6.5 – $9.8 |
You may be interested in costs in other areas:
How Much Does it Cost to Ship from China to France?
How Much Does it Cost to Ship from China to Turkey
Tariffs and Taxes from China to Greece
Additional costs to be aware of when shipping from China to Greece Tariffs and taxes are unavoidable expenses.
Tariffs
Determined according to the HS code of the goods and the EU tariff standards. Different types of goods are subject to different tariff rates, usually between 0% and 14%
Tariffs are calculated based on the dutiable price of the goods (CIF price, i.e. the value of the goods + insurance + freight). The calculation formula is as follows: Tariff = CIF price × tariff rate
Value Added Tax (VAT)
Greece currently applies a 24% VAT. Certain goods such as food, medicine, etc. may be subject to lower tax rates (6% or 13%).
The calculation of VAT is based on the total price after tariffs, i.e.: VAT = (CIF price + tariff) × VAT rate
Main Factors Affecting Shipping Cost
In addition to basic costs, shipping from China to Greece is also affected by the following factors:
- Type and specifications of goods: weight, volume and packaging directly affect freight costs.
- Shipping time: Expedited shipments usually incur higher costs.
- Port of departure and port of destination: distance between ports and related surcharges.
- Seasonal fluctuations: Freight costs may increase during peak periods (such as holidays).
- Insurance: Valuable items may require additional insurance costs.
How to Reduce Shipping Cost from China to Greece
Choose the right mode of transportation
Choose sea transportation for bulk goods and air transportation for urgent or high-value goods.
Plan ahead
Avoid peak transportation periods, such as holidays.
Optimize packaging
Ensure that the volume of goods is minimized to reduce freight costs.
Work with reliable freight forwarders
Compare quotes from multiple freight forwarders and choose partners with good reputation.
Consolidate shipping
Reduce overall costs by consolidating or combining orders.
Customs Clearance Documents Shipping from China to Greece
Customs clearance documents are the key to successfully completing transportation from China to Greece. The following documents are usually required:
- Export declaration: including information such as the classification, quantity, and value of the goods
- Bill of lading: proof of delivery of goods to the carrier during sea transportation.
- Commercial invoice: commodity price and transaction details.
- Packing list: list of goods, packaging details.
- Certificate of origin: proof of the origin of the goods.
The cost of shipping from China to Greece depends on many factors. Through this article, companies or individuals can understand the various costs and use a variety of cost-saving strategies to effectively reduce logistics costs to ensure that the goods arrive at their destination smoothly and safely.