Home Shipping from China to Greece LCL sea freight from China to Greece (Piraeus, Athens & Thessaloniki) — 2026 reference rates

LCL sea freight from China to Greece (Piraeus, Athens & Thessaloniki) — 2026 reference rates

Greece has fewer China consolidations than most EU markets, which is why our rates here are tighter than the Western European lanes. Everything routes through Piraeus — Athens and Thessaloniki are inland points fed from that gateway, and Athens delivery is limited to the city itself.

Ningbo is the only origin with a genuine volume tier: USD 76 per CBM for shipments up to 3 CBM, dropping to USD 68 per CBM above 3 CBM. On a 10 CBM consignment that tier alone saves about USD 80.

How to read these rates: figures are indicative reference levels for port-to-port LCL ocean freight, updated for October 2026. They exclude origin haulage, warehouse and customs charges, destination port charges and any surcharges. Space, cut-off times and rates must be re-confirmed at booking.

LCL rates from China to Greece — Piraeus, Athens and Thessaloniki

Ningbo to Piraeus — USD 76 per CBM, volume range 0~3 CBM; minimum 1 CBM; direct consolidation; carrier EMC; cut-off/ETD Closed Thu / ETD Thu; transit time about 25 days; chargeable ratio 1 CBM = 1000 kg.
Ningbo to Piraeus — USD 68 per CBM, volume range 3~15 CBM; minimum 1 CBM; direct consolidation; carrier EMC; cut-off/ETD Closed Thu / ETD Thu; transit time about 25 days; chargeable ratio 1 CBM = 1000 kg.
Shantou to Athens — USD 54 per CBM, volume range 0~15 CBM; minimum 1 CBM; transhipment via Piraeus; carrier EMC; cut-off/ETD Closed Thu / ETD Thu; transit time about 27 days; chargeable ratio 1 CBM = 1000 kg.
Shanghai to Thessaloniki — USD 56 per CBM, volume range 0~15 CBM; minimum 1 CBM; transhipment via Piraeus; carrier EMC; cut-off/ETD Closed Thu / ETD Thu; transit time about 27 days; chargeable ratio 1 CBM = 1000 kg.

Direct to Piraeus. Ningbo is the only origin here that sails direct. Shantou and Shanghai feed Athens and Thessaloniki from Piraeus, which adds about two days.

Athens is city-centre only. The Shantou–Athens rate covers delivery within the Athens urban area. Consignees in Piraeus, Elefsina or further afield need a separate inland quotation.

ENS applies. A USD 25 ENS filing per bill of lading is charged on all Greece services under EU pre-arrival security rules.

Piraeus as the Southern Europe hub

Piraeus is the busiest container port in the eastern Mediterranean and the natural gateway not just for Greece but for onward feeders to the Balkans and Black Sea. Buying to Piraeus and arranging the domestic or regional leg yourself is usually the most flexible arrangement, particularly if your consignee already has a broker in Athens.

Charging standard

All lanes use 1 CBM = 1,000 kg with a 1 CBM minimum. Reconfirm both rate and cut-off at booking: Mediterranean space tightens sharply in the weeks before major trade fairs and the summer peak, and the USD 68–76 tier boundary can shift.

FAQ — LCL shipping from China to Greece