Greece
Air freight, sea freight and customs in Athens
Athens combines Greece's main airport with Piraeus, one of the largest container ports in the Mediterranean.
Services in Athens
- Air freight in AthensAir freight for time-critical and high-value cargo between Europe, the Americas and Asia.
- Sea freight in AthensFCL and LCL sea freight on the main trade lanes, with pre-carriage and on-carriage by road or rail.
- Customs clearance in AthensImport and export clearance by our in-house customs teams in 8 countries and by partner teams in the Ziem network.
Airports, seaports and connections in Athens
- AirportAthens International
ATH - SeaportPort of Piraeus
Athens International Airport Eleftherios Venizelos (ATH), at Spata east of the city, is Greece's main airport and air cargo gateway, with belly capacity on passenger flights and freighter services. Long-haul shipments often connect via European or Middle Eastern hubs. For sea freight, the Port of Piraeus is one of the largest container ports in the Mediterranean, with direct services to Asia and transhipment across the region. The ports of Lavrio and Elefsina serve additional traffic in Attica.
The Attiki Odos motorway links Athens International Airport with the city and the main motorways: the A1 north towards Lamia and Thessaloniki, and the Olympia Odos west towards Corinth and Patras. The Thriasio logistics area west of Athens has a rail freight terminal connected to Piraeus. We arrange pick-up and delivery across Athens and Attica.
Industries in Athens and how we support them
Athens is Greece's commercial and industrial centre. Pharmaceutical manufacturers, food and beverage producers and consumer goods distributors are concentrated in Attica, and Piraeus is a global hub for shipping companies, which need spare parts and supplies for their vessels. Tourism adds demand for hotel and catering supplies. Ziem Logistics supports these supply chains with air freight from Athens under our own air waybills, sea freight FCL and LCL through Piraeus, Next Flight Out and On-Board Courier for urgent ship spares, temperature-controlled pharma shipments, and in-house customs clearance with AADE.
Operational logistics facts for Athens
| Hub | Specialisation | Local advantage |
|---|---|---|
| Athens International Airport (ATH) | Belly and freighter cargo, pharma | Greece's main air cargo gateway |
| Port of Piraeus container terminals | Deep-sea and transhipment traffic | One of the largest container ports in the Mediterranean |
| Piraeus shipping community | Ship spares and supplies | Urgent spare parts to vessels by NFO or OBC |
| Thriasio logistics area | Warehousing and rail freight | Rail link between Piraeus and the hinterland |
Customs clearance in Greece
In-house customs team
Customs clearance in Greece is handled by our own in-house customs team.
For air freight to and from Greece we issue our own air waybills.
Importers in Greece need an EORI number issued by the Greek customs authority.
Frequently asked questions
Can you fly ship spares to a vessel via Athens?
Yes. We arrange air freight into or out of Athens (ATH) under our own air waybills, or an On-Board Courier for urgent parts. Delivery to the vessel is coordinated with the ship's agent at the port of call.
Does the summer season affect air cargo capacity from Athens?
Yes. During the tourism peak, roughly June to September, belly capacity can become tighter on some routes. We book early, consider freighter options and confirm cut-off times with every booking.
Can you ship pharma products from Athens?
Yes. We book temperature-controlled solutions with pharma-capable airlines, agree packaging and temperature range with you, and prepare documentation before collection.
Who clears imports arriving at Athens Airport or Piraeus?
Our own customs team files the declaration with AADE customs through ICISnet under the EU Union Customs Code. We need your EORI number, the commercial invoice, packing list and transport document. With complete documents the declaration can be lodged before arrival.
Can ship spares be imported without duty for vessels?
Spare parts and supplies for vessels may be handled under specific customs arrangements, depending on the vessel and its voyage. We review the details with you and the ship's agent and declare the goods under the appropriate procedure.
Do you handle export declarations for Greek manufacturers?
Yes. We prepare export declarations in-house for goods leaving via Athens or Piraeus, providing the export evidence needed for VAT. Controlled items are checked for licence requirements before booking.