Greece
Air freight, sea freight and customs in Heraklion
Heraklion is Crete's main airport and port, exporting olive oil and food products.
Services in Heraklion
- Air freight in HeraklionAir freight for time-critical and high-value cargo between Europe, the Americas and Asia.
- Sea freight in HeraklionFCL and LCL sea freight on the main trade lanes, with pre-carriage and on-carriage by road or rail.
- Customs clearance in HeraklionImport 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 Heraklion
- AirportHeraklion
HER - SeaportPort of Heraklion
Heraklion International Airport Nikos Kazantzakis (HER) is Crete's main airport, with belly cargo on passenger flights, most of them seasonal, and connections to Athens. The Port of Heraklion is Crete's main seaport, with ferry and ro-ro services to Piraeus that carry most of the island's road freight, and container and cargo traffic. For long-haul air freight, Athens International Airport is the usual hub.
The northern road axis of Crete (VOAK) runs along the north coast and links Heraklion with Chania, Rethymno and Agios Nikolaos. Ferry and ro-ro links between Heraklion and Piraeus connect the island with the mainland road network. We arrange pick-up and delivery across Heraklion and Crete.
Industries in Heraklion and how we support them
Crete is a major producer of olive oil, and Heraklion is the main export point for olive oil, wine, fruit, vegetables and other Cretan food products. The island's tourism sector creates strong demand for hotel and catering supplies during the season. Ziem Logistics supports these businesses with sea freight and road freight via the Heraklion-Piraeus ferries, air freight via Heraklion or Athens under our own air waybills, consolidation of exports through Piraeus, and in-house customs clearance for exports to non-EU markets.
Operational logistics facts for Heraklion
| Hub | Specialisation | Local advantage |
|---|---|---|
| Port of Heraklion | Ferries, ro-ro, cargo | Crete's main sea link with Piraeus |
| Heraklion Airport (HER) | Seasonal belly cargo, Athens connections | Direct air link for Crete |
| Cretan olive oil and food sector | Olive oil, wine, fresh produce | Export consolidation via Piraeus |
| Crete tourism supply | Hotel and catering supplies | Inbound supply ahead of the season |
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 air freight leave directly from Heraklion?
Some freight flies directly from Heraklion (HER) in the belly of passenger flights, most of them seasonal. Larger or long-haul shipments are usually routed via Athens. Air freight runs under our own air waybills, and we confirm cut-off times with every booking.
Does the weather affect freight to and from Crete?
Yes. Strong summer meltemi winds can delay ferries between Heraklion and Piraeus. We take this into account in planning and keep you informed, using air freight for urgent goods where needed.
Can you ship fresh Cretan produce by air?
Yes. We book airlines that handle perishables, agree packaging with you and ensure the phytosanitary or health certificates required by the destination accompany the shipment.
Can you clear olive oil exports from Crete to non-EU markets?
Yes. Our own customs team prepares the export declaration with AADE customs. Some destinations require certificates of origin or food safety documents, which we check with you in advance.
Are customs formalities needed for goods shipped from Crete to the mainland?
No. Crete is part of Greece and the EU customs territory, so goods moving between Heraklion and Piraeus do not need customs declarations.
Can you clear imported supplies for Cretan hotels?
Yes. Goods from outside the EU are cleared on arrival in Greece, usually at Piraeus or Athens, and then shipped to Crete. We file the declaration and arrange onward transport.