Shipping from Dubai to Greece usually means a container from Jebel Ali to Piraeus, the port of Athens, or to Thessaloniki for northern Greece and the Balkans. Greece is in the EU customs union, so the importer needs an EORI number, the goods pay the EU duty for their TARIC code, and import VAT is 24% for most goods. This guide covers ports, modes, transit, documents, duty, VAT, controlled goods and each step from Dubai to your consignee.
Shipping from Dubai to Greece at a glance
| Item | Detail |
|---|---|
| Main UAE load port | Jebel Ali (AEJEA), with Khor Fakkan as an alternative |
| Main Greek container gateways | Piraeus (Athens and southern Greece) and Thessaloniki (northern Greece and the Balkans) |
| Piraeus container capacity | About 7.2 million TEU a year across Piers I, II and III |
| Modes | FCL, LCL, flat rack and breakbulk, ro-ro for vehicles, dangerous goods, air cargo |
| Published sea schedules | Fluent Cargo lists Jebel Ali to Piraeus at 35 days 17 hours with one transfer |
| Main air route | Dubai (DXB) to Athens (ATH), about 5 hours 11 minutes, 1 to 2 direct flights a day |
| Customs authority | Independent Authority for Public Revenue (AADE), applying EU customs law |
| Importer ID | EORI number, valid across the EU |
| Duty rates | EU Common Customs Tariff, looked up in TARIC by goods code and origin |
| Trade agreement with the UAE | None in force; EU-UAE talks formally launched on 28 May 2025 |
| Import VAT | 24% standard rate; reduced rates of 13% and 6% for listed goods |
| Security filing | Entry Summary Declaration in the EU's ICS2 system before arrival |
| Carbon rule | CBAM applies to steel, aluminium, cement, fertilisers, hydrogen and electricity |
Which mode should you use from Dubai to Greece?
Most cargo from Dubai to Greece moves by sea in containers. Air cargo is for urgent, light or high-value goods. Vehicles and wheeled machinery can move by ro-ro or in containers. There is no practical road option on this lane, so this guide does not cover trucking from the UAE.
| Your cargo | Best mode | Why |
|---|---|---|
| A full container or more of general goods | FCL by sea | Lowest cost per unit, box stays sealed to Greece |
| A few pallets or cartons | LCL by sea | You pay for the space you use |
| Machinery, steel, oversized pieces | Flat rack, open top or breakbulk | Fits cargo that does not go in a standard box |
| Cars, trucks, wheeled equipment | Ro-ro or container | Piraeus has a dedicated ro-ro terminal for wheeled cargo |
| Chemicals, batteries, aerosols, perfumes | DG container or DG air | Needs carrier and terminal acceptance before booking |
| Samples, spare parts, urgent stock | Air cargo | Days instead of weeks, higher cost per kilo |
A quick decision rule: if the goods are needed in Greece within a week, price air. If not, start with sea and compare FCL and LCL once you know the volume and weight.
Sea freight from Dubai to Greece: ports, FCL and LCL
Sea freight from Dubai to Greece normally loads at Jebel Ali. Our Jebel Ali port shipping guide covers the terminals, cut-offs and export steps there. Choose the Greek port by where your consignee is. A box for Athens that lands in Thessaloniki needs a long truck leg, and the reverse is just as costly.
Piraeus or Thessaloniki: which Greek port should your cargo go to?
| Port | What it offers | Best for consignees in |
|---|---|---|
| Piraeus | Container Piers I, II and III; ro-ro car terminal; port logistics centre; rail ramp at the container terminal | Athens, Attica, southern Greece and the islands |
| Thessaloniki | Container terminal on the 6th pier with rail link; conventional cargo terminal | Northern Greece and onward cargo to the Balkans |
Piraeus is by far the larger of the two. The Piraeus Port Authority (PPA) runs Pier I, rated at 1.1 million TEU a year, and reported a record 664,581 TEU there in 2025. Piraeus Container Terminal (PCT) runs Piers II and III, with a current capacity of 6.2 million TEU. PCT has its own rail ramp that can handle up to 10 trains a day to Central Europe and the Balkans.
Thessaloniki's container terminal sits on the west side of the 6th pier. The port authority says it serves ships with a draft of up to 12 metres, has 4 gantry cranes and 474 reefer power points, and connects to the national rail network by a double track. It works 24 hours a day, 361 days a year.
FCL or LCL?
- FCL (full container load). You book a whole 20ft, 40ft or 40ft high cube. It suits larger volumes, heavy goods and cargo you do not want handled with other shipments.
- LCL (less than container load). Your cargo shares a box with other shippers. It is packed at a container freight station in the UAE and unpacked in Greece, so your release also depends on the other cargo in that box clearing customs.
The break-even between the two is often lower than people expect. Our guide to FCL vs LCL costs shows how to compare them, and our sea freight service page explains what we book from the UAE.
How long does sea freight from Dubai to Greece take?
Transit depends on the carrier, the Greek port and the transshipment hub. Fluent Cargo's schedule data gives these published options:
| Route | Published transit | Transfers | Frequency |
|---|---|---|---|
| Jebel Ali to Piraeus | 35 days 17 hours | 1 transfer | Every 2 to 4 weeks |
| Khor Fakkan to Thessaloniki | 22 days 9 hours | 2 transfers | Every 1 to 2 weeks |
Forwarder websites quote very different transit times for this lane, and most give no source. Treat those numbers as marketing. Check the vessel schedule and the estimated arrival on your booking before you promise a delivery date to your buyer.
[AMIR-FACT: the carriers we actually book from Jebel Ali to Piraeus and Thessaloniki, and our typical port-to-port days on each]
Breakbulk, vehicles and dangerous goods to Greece
Breakbulk and project cargo
Cargo that fits a container but is too tall or wide goes on flat racks or open tops. Cargo that does not fit a container at all moves as breakbulk on a general cargo or heavy-lift vessel. At Piraeus, PPA's Pier I has a harbour mobile crane rated at 100 tonnes under hook, and its ro-ro terminal handles heavy machinery, trucks and roll trailers.
A simple rule: if a piece fits a 40ft flat rack by size and weight, a container service usually gives you more sailings. If it does not, you need breakbulk or heavy-lift tonnage, and that sailing date drives the whole plan. We collect drawings, weights and lifting points, agree lashing with the carrier and plan the UAE road move to the quay. See our break bulk and project cargo service.
Cars and wheeled cargo
PPA's ro-ro terminal G2 is in Keratsini-Drapetsona. The port authority lists 5 berths with a maximum draft of 11 metres, a quay of 1,167 metres and storage for 6,700 vehicles. It says more than 260,000 vehicles a year pass through its ro-ro terminals. A car imported for good into Greece also needs EU-standard compliance, Greek registration tax and a roadworthiness test before plates are issued, so check these with the buyer's agent before you ship.
Dangerous goods
DG cargo to Greece must be packed, marked and declared under the IMDG Code for sea or IATA rules for air. You need a correct UN number, proper shipping name, class and packing group, a safety data sheet, a signed DG declaration and UN-approved packaging. PCT's published operating procedures include a separate notification procedure for dangerous cargo, so the details must reach the terminal through the carrier before the ship arrives.
Our dangerous goods shipping team gets carrier acceptance before you commit to a sailing, and passes the DG data to the consignee's agent in Greece early so the terminal notification is on time.
Air cargo from Dubai to Greece
Air cargo suits samples, spare parts, electronics and urgent orders. Fluent Cargo lists direct flights from Dubai International (DXB) to Athens (ATH) 1 to 2 times a day, with a flight time of about 5 hours 11 minutes, operated by Emirates. It also lists a daily direct service from Sharjah (SHJ) to Athens of about 5 hours.
Air freight is priced on chargeable weight, which is the higher of the actual weight and the volume weight. Customs rules in Greece are the same as for sea: the consignee needs an EORI, a declaration is filed, and duty and VAT are paid. See our air cargo service for what we arrange from Dubai.
Greek customs: EORI, ICS2 and who can import
Greece applies the EU's Union Customs Code. Customs is run by the Independent Authority for Public Revenue (AADE), which handles both tax and customs. Declarations are filed electronically, normally by a licensed Greek customs agent acting for the importer.
Do you need an EORI number to import into Greece?
Yes. The European Commission says an EORI number is required for operators who lodge customs declarations in the EU. It is a single number used across the EU, a person can hold only one valid EORI at a time, and it has no expiry date.
- A Greek business registers with Greek customs and uses its EORI on every declaration.
- A business with no EU establishment applies in the EU country where it makes its first customs declaration.
- The number starts with a two-letter country code, followed by up to 15 letters or digits.
Apply before the goods sail, not when they arrive. Without an EORI, the declaration cannot be filed and storage charges start.
The ICS2 safety and security filing
Every shipment entering the EU needs an Entry Summary Declaration (ENS) in the Import Control System 2 (ICS2). ICS2 went live for sea cargo on 3 June 2024. House-level filers such as forwarders had a connection window from 4 December 2024 to 1 April 2025. The carrier normally files, but a party that holds data the carrier does not have, such as the real shipper and consignee, files that part. In practice, send accurate goods descriptions, HS codes and the consignee's EORI at booking.
How customs clearance works in Greece
- Before arrival, the ENS is lodged in ICS2 and the carrier presents the cargo to customs at the Greek port.
- The goods sit in temporary storage at the terminal until a customs procedure is chosen. The usual choice is release for free circulation.
- The importer's customs agent files the import declaration with Greek customs.
- Customs may release the goods on the documents, ask for more papers or order a physical check.
- Duty and import VAT are paid or deferred, the carrier's charges are settled, and the terminal releases the container.
What documents do you need to ship to Greece?
| Cargo | Core documents | Often also needed |
|---|---|---|
| General goods | Commercial invoice, packing list, bill of lading or air waybill, certificate of origin | Importer's EORI and Greek VAT number on the documents |
| Food and plant products | Core set | Health or phytosanitary certificates and pre-notification for EU border checks |
| Steel, aluminium and other CBAM goods | Core set | Importer's CBAM authorisation above 50 tonnes a year |
| Dangerous goods | Core set | DG declaration, SDS, terminal notification through the carrier |
| Machinery and electrical goods | Core set | Proof of EU product compliance (such as CE marking) held by the importer |
| Vehicles | Core set | Title, registration and technical papers for Greek registration |
Customs duty and VAT when you ship from Dubai to Greece
EU customs duty and the TARIC database
Greece charges the EU's common customs duty, not a Greek rate. You find it in TARIC, the EU's integrated tariff database, by entering the goods code and the country of origin. TARIC also shows anti-dumping duties, tariff quotas, suspensions and import prohibitions for that code. It does not show VAT or excise, which are national.
The EU's Access2Markets portal states that the EU has no trade agreement with the UAE. The two sides formally launched free trade talks on 28 May 2025 and opened the first round on 24 June 2025. Until an agreement is in force, goods of UAE origin pay the normal third-country duty. Goods made elsewhere and shipped through Dubai pay the duty for their real origin, so the certificate of origin must match.
Import VAT in Greece
The EU's Your Europe portal lists Greece's standard VAT rate at 24%. Reduced rates of 13% and 6% apply to goods listed in the Greek VAT Code, and the portal also lists 17% and 4% rates that apply in specific cases.
| Rate | Applies to |
|---|---|
| 24% | Most goods: electronics, machinery, clothing, furniture, cosmetics, vehicles |
| 13% and 6% | Goods listed in the Greek VAT Code, such as many food items and medicines |
| 17% and 4% | Special cases listed by Greece; ask your customs agent if they apply |
Greece also has a deferment system for import VAT. PCT explains that, instead of paying VAT at import, a company can move the payment to its periodic VAT return. Ask your Greek customs agent whether the importer qualifies before you plan the cash flow.
Free zone storage at Piraeus
Piraeus Container Terminal operates a Free Zone Type I. Goods from outside the EU held there are treated as outside the EU customs territory, so duty, import VAT and excise are suspended until the goods are released for free circulation. PCT's warehouse, PCDC, is inside that zone and handles dry, chilled, flammable and chemical cargo. This suits stock you plan to sell in stages or send on to other EU countries.
CBAM for steel and aluminium
The EU's Carbon Border Adjustment Mechanism (CBAM) entered its definitive phase on 1 January 2026. It covers cement, iron and steel, aluminium, fertilisers, electricity and hydrogen. Importers above the single threshold of 50 tonnes of CBAM goods a year need authorised CBAM declarant status, and customs checks CBAM authorisations before release for free circulation. Aluminium and steel are major UAE exports, so check this before you ship.
Restricted and controlled goods
Most restrictions are EU rules enforced at Greek ports. These groups cause the most holds.
| Goods | What applies |
|---|---|
| Food of animal origin, live animals, some plants | EU veterinary or phytosanitary checks at a border control post, with certificates and pre-notification |
| Dangerous goods | IMDG or IATA rules, carrier acceptance and terminal notification |
| CBAM goods | Authorised CBAM declarant status above 50 tonnes a year |
| Goods under anti-dumping or quota measures | Extra duty or quota rules shown in TARIC for the goods code and origin |
| Machinery, toys, electrical goods, cosmetics | EU product safety and labelling rules; importer must hold the compliance file |
| Tobacco, alcohol, fuels | Excise duty on top of customs duty and VAT |
| Dual-use and controlled items | Licence and prohibition checks listed in TARIC |
What affects the cost of shipping from Dubai to Greece?
We do not publish rates here because they change every week. These factors decide what you pay.
- Volume and weight: FCL is priced per box, LCL per cubic metre or tonne, air per chargeable kilo.
- Greek port and inland leg: Piraeus or Thessaloniki, plus trucking to the consignee.
- Cargo type: DG, reefer, flat rack and breakbulk cost more than general cargo.
- Incoterm: it decides who pays which leg, which port charges and the Greek clearance.
- Duty and VAT: set by the goods code, origin and value, not by the forwarder.
- Free time: storage at the terminal and container detention start after the free days run out. Our article on demurrage and detention charges explains how to avoid them.
How to ship from Dubai to Greece, step by step
- Send us the goods description, HS code, weight, volume, packing, Greek delivery address and Incoterm.
- Confirm the consignee has an EORI and a Greek customs agent, and whether CBAM or health checks apply.
- We compare carriers and routings to Piraeus or Thessaloniki and confirm the booking.
- For DG, out-of-gauge or vehicle cargo, we get carrier acceptance before you pay for anything else.
- We arrange trucking to Jebel Ali or the container freight station and UAE export clearance.
- We issue the bill of lading or air waybill and send ICS2 data to the carrier.
- We send copies of the documents to the consignee's agent before arrival so they can prepare the declaration.
- The agent clears the goods, duty and VAT are paid or deferred, and the container is released for delivery.
[AMIR-FACT: a real shipment we handled from the UAE to Greece: cargo type, port, mode and one lesson learned]
[AMIR-FACT: our typical lead time from booking request to sailing from Jebel Ali for a Greece shipment]
Checklist before you ship to Greece
- Consignee's EORI and Greek VAT number are on the invoice and packing list.
- HS code checked in TARIC for duty, anti-dumping and quotas.
- Certificate of origin matches where the goods were made.
- CBAM status checked for steel, aluminium and other covered goods.
- Health or phytosanitary papers ready for food and plant products.
- DG declaration, SDS and packaging approved for DG cargo.
- Greek port chosen by where the consignee is.
- Incoterm agreed in writing. Our guide to Incoterms 2020 for sea freight covers who pays what.
Common mistakes on the Dubai to Greece lane
- Shipping before the consignee has an EORI, so the declaration cannot be filed and storage builds up.
- Using a vague goods description such as "general cargo", which fails ICS2 and triggers holds.
- Assuming UAE origin pays a lower duty. There is no EU-UAE trade agreement in force.
- Sending cargo to the wrong port for the consignee, then paying for a long truck leg.
- Forgetting CBAM on steel or aluminium orders.
- Booking LCL for goods that need health checks, so the whole consolidation can wait.
Frequently asked questions
How long does shipping from Dubai to Greece take?
By sea, Fluent Cargo lists Jebel Ali to Piraeus at 35 days 17 hours with one transfer, and Khor Fakkan to Thessaloniki at 22 days 9 hours with two transfers. By air, Dubai to Athens is about 5 hours of flying time, plus handling and customs at both ends.
Which port in Greece is best for cargo from Dubai?
Piraeus is best for Athens, Attica, southern Greece and the islands, and it has the most container capacity, about 7.2 million TEU a year. Thessaloniki is better for northern Greece and cargo moving on to the Balkans.
Do I pay customs duty on goods from the UAE to Greece?
Usually yes. Greece applies EU duty rates from TARIC, and the EU has no trade agreement in force with the UAE. The rate depends on the goods code and the country where the goods were made.
What is the import VAT rate in Greece?
The standard rate is 24%. Reduced rates of 13% and 6% apply to goods listed in the Greek VAT Code. Your customs agent confirms the rate for your goods code.
Does the importer in Greece need an EORI number?
Yes. An EORI number is required to lodge a customs declaration in the EU. A business with no EU establishment applies for one in the EU country where it makes its first declaration.
Can I ship dangerous goods from Dubai to Greece?
Yes, if the carrier accepts them. The goods must be classified, packed and declared under the IMDG Code for sea or IATA rules for air, and the Greek container terminal must be notified through the carrier before arrival.
Can I store goods in Piraeus without paying duty and VAT?
Yes, in the Free Zone Type I at Piraeus Container Terminal. Duty, VAT and excise on non-EU goods are suspended while the goods stay in the zone, and are paid when the goods are released for free circulation.
Can I ship a car from Dubai to Greece?
Yes, by container or ro-ro to Piraeus. For a permanent import, the car must meet EU standards and pass Greek registration steps, which include registration tax and a roadworthiness test.
Get a quote for shipping from Dubai to Greece
Send us your cargo details, the Greek delivery address and the Incoterm, and we will come back with a routing and a price. Use our freight rate inquiry form, or contact our team to talk through a breakbulk, DG or CBAM-sensitive shipment first. You can also read more about our Dubai freight forwarding team.
Sources
- Piraeus Port Authority: Container Terminal Pier I
- Piraeus Port Authority: Car Terminal
- Hellenic Shipping News: PPA S.A. 2025 results (Pier I throughput)
- Piraeus Container Terminal: Specifications and layout
- Piraeus Container Terminal: Rail services
- Piraeus Container Terminal: Free Zone Type I
- Piraeus Container Terminal: PCDC warehouse
- Piraeus Container Terminal: Import VAT deferment in Greece
- Piraeus Container Terminal: Operational procedures
- Thessaloniki Port Authority: Container handling
- Fluent Cargo: Dubai to Thessaloniki routes
- Fluent Cargo: United Arab Emirates to Greece routes
- European Commission: EORI number
- European Commission: ICS2 live for maritime transport
- European Commission: ICS2 FAQ
- European Commission: EU Customs Tariff (TARIC)
- EU Access2Markets: United Arab Emirates
- European Commission: EU-UAE agreement negotiations
- Your Europe: VAT rates in EU countries
- European Commission: CBAM definitive regime
- European Commission: CBAM entered into force on 1 January 2026
Reviewed: 10 November 2026