⚡ Quick Answer: How much does it cost to ship a car to Greece?
Shipping a car from the USA to Greece generally costs around $1,400 to $3,400 for ocean transport depending on vehicle size, US origin, and RoRo versus container service. Typical ocean transit is about 4 to 6 weeks, with Piraeus the primary Greek vehicle gateway and Thessaloniki or Patras useful for selected routes. Important: a US vehicle imported permanently into Greece must clear EU/Greece customs, pay applicable import VAT/customs charges and Greek registration tax, and meet the technical/emissions requirements needed for Greek registration.
USA → GREECE AUTO TRANSPORT & VEHICLE EXPORT LOGISTICS
All TransportDepot coordinates car shipping from any US state to Greece, including pickup from homes, dealerships, Copart/IAA auctions, US export clearance, and RoRo or container booking. For permanent import, the ocean shipment is only one part of the process: the vehicle must also satisfy Greek customs, registration-tax, type-approval, safety, and emissions requirements. We therefore recommend checking the VIN, emissions specification, and registration path before a US-market vehicle is shipped.
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On This Page
- Service Overview
- RoRo vs. Container Options
- US Gateway Rates & Transit Times
- Greece Customs, VAT & Registration Tax
- EU Type Approval & Registration Compliance
- Nationwide Towing & Auction Pickup
- Step-by-Step Shipping Process
- Piraeus, Thessaloniki & Patras
- Required Documentation
- Frequently Asked Questions
Professional Car Shipping to Greece from the USA
All TransportDepot manages the US export side of international car shipping to Greece for personal vehicles, collector cars, dealer purchases, and auction vehicles. Piraeus is the principal destination for many car shipments, with other Greek ports used when routing and final-delivery geography make sense.
Personal & Relocation Vehicles
Door-to-port logistics for private cars, including pickup, export-title processing, and ocean booking to Greece.
Collector & High-Value Cars
Container options for classic, performance, luxury, or low-clearance vehicles that need enclosed handling.
Auction & Dealer Purchases
Pickup from Copart, IAA, Manheim, or dealers with direct movement to the US export terminal and documentation support.
RoRo vs. Container Car Shipping to Greece
Compare RoRo shipping to Greece and container shipping to Greece based on vehicle condition, protection requirements, vessel routing, and budget.
ECONOMICAL VEHICLE SHIPPING
Roll-On/Roll-Off (RoRo) Auto Shipping
RoRo is often the most economical method for a fully operational vehicle when a suitable service to Piraeus is available.
- Best For: Running cars, SUVs, vans, and pickups accepted by the carrier.
- Requirements: The car generally must start, steer, brake, and roll safely.
- Routing: US-to-Greece service may involve a European or Mediterranean transshipment.
ENCLOSED & SECURE LOGISTICS
Containerized Car Shipping
Container shipping gives more physical protection and flexibility for special, non-running, or high-value vehicles.
- Best For: Luxury, classic, damaged, non-running, and multi-vehicle shipments.
- Protection: Enclosed ocean transport with professional blocking and bracing.
- Port Flexibility: Container service can offer additional routing choices within Greece.
US Departure Hub Rates & Estimated Transit Times
Ocean cost depends on vehicle dimensions, US pickup location, export terminal, service type, and the current Mediterranean carrier schedule. The following are planning ranges.
| US Departure / Pickup Region | Typical Routing | Estimated Shipping Range | Estimated Ocean Transit |
|---|---|---|---|
| Newark / Northeast | North Atlantic / Mediterranean routing | $1,400 – $2,100 | 24 – 35 days |
| Baltimore / Mid-Atlantic | East Coast / Mediterranean routing | $1,450 – $2,150 | 24 – 36 days |
| Savannah / Jacksonville | Southeast gateway / Mediterranean routing | $1,500 – $2,300 | 26 – 38 days |
| Houston / Gulf | Gulf / Mediterranean transshipment | $1,700 – $2,600 | 30 – 42 days |
| California / West Coast | Longer ocean route or inland repositioning | $2,500 – $3,400 | 38 – 50 days |
Greece Customs Duty, Import VAT & Registration Tax
A car imported permanently from the United States is entering the EU from a non-EU country. EU guidance states that customs duty and import VAT are due unless a relief applies. Greece also imposes a vehicle registration tax before Greek plates are issued.
Customs & VAT
- A US vehicle is treated as a third-country import into the EU.
- Customs duty and import VAT apply unless the importer qualifies for a specific exemption or relocation relief.
- Greek customs calculates the amount using the applicable customs value and vehicle classification.
Greek Registration Tax
- Greece requires payment/settlement of the applicable registration tax before classification and Greek plates.
- The registration-tax calculation is influenced by taxable value, CO₂ emissions, and the vehicle’s emissions/Euro specification.
- Relocation cases can have separate exemption rules; verify eligibility before shipping.
Greece Vehicle Type Approval, Emissions & Registration Compliance
A US-market vehicle can be physically shipped to Greece without automatically being registrable there. Greek registration requires technical conformity with the applicable EU safety/emissions framework or an accepted individual-approval path.
EU / Greek Technical Compliance
- Registration can require evidence of conformity, technical inspection, and roadworthiness.
- US-spec lighting, emissions equipment, speedometer/markings, and other components may differ from EU specifications.
- Confirm whether the exact VIN has EU type approval or will need individual approval/modification before shipping.
Older & High-Emission Vehicles
- Registration tax is differentiated by vehicle value, CO₂ emissions, and emissions standard.
- Older or higher-emission vehicles can therefore have materially different registration costs.
- Obtain a Greece-side landed tax and registration estimate before purchasing or exporting a US vehicle.
Nationwide US Auto Transport & Auction Towing
All TransportDepot can collect vehicles from homes, dealerships, repair facilities, Copart, IAA, Manheim, and other auction locations across the United States and move them to the appropriate export terminal.
Auction & Dealer Pickup
- Copart and IAA release coordination.
- Dealer and wholesale auction pickup.
- Winch-equipped transport for non-running vehicles when required.
Details We Need
- Pickup ZIP code and contact information.
- VIN, year, make, model, and running condition.
- Auction lot number / buyer number when applicable.
- Original title status and lien information.
How USA to Greece Car Shipping Works
1. Rate Quote & Route Review
We review the vehicle, pickup ZIP code, shipping method, destination port, and any country-specific import considerations.
2. Vehicle Pickup & Export-Terminal Delivery
A licensed inland carrier collects the vehicle and delivers it to the booked US export location.
3. US Customs Export Validation
Required title documents and AES/EEI export filing are coordinated before ocean loading.
4. Ocean Vessel Loading
The vehicle is received under the carrier booking and loaded by RoRo or inside the confirmed container.
5. Bill of Lading & Sailing Updates
Ocean documentation and shipment details are issued after the vessel process is confirmed.
6. Destination Customs & Vehicle Release
At the Greek destination port, the consignee or customs representative handles import declaration, applicable duty/VAT, registration-tax steps, and the technical/registration process required before Greek plates can be issued.
Greece Vehicle Shipping Ports: Piraeus, Thessaloniki & Patras
Piraeus is the principal Greek maritime gateway for many international vehicle shipments. Thessaloniki and Patras can be useful depending on carrier availability and final destination.
Port of Piraeus — Primary Vehicle Gateway
Greece’s largest port and the main destination for many RoRo and containerized vehicle shipments serving Athens and southern Greece.
Port of Thessaloniki — Northern Greece
A major northern gateway with strong inland links for Thessaloniki, Macedonia, and destinations closer to the Balkans.
Port of Patras — Western Greece
A strategic western Greek port, mainly useful when the carrier route and final destination make western discharge more efficient.
Required Shipping & Customs Documentation
US Export Documentation
- Original Certificate of Title: Clear and available for export processing.
- Bill of Sale / Purchase Invoice: Supports ownership and value.
- Shipper Identification: Passport or government-issued ID.
- AES/EEI Filing: Completed when required for the export.
Greece Import & Registration Side
- Ocean Bill of Lading.
- Purchase invoice / proof of value and ownership.
- US title / registration documents.
- Customs declaration and importer identification.
- Technical conformity / type-approval and roadworthiness documents needed for Greek registration.
- Evidence of taxes/fees paid or approved exemption, where applicable.
Frequently Asked Questions About Shipping a Car to Greece
How much does it cost to ship a car from the USA to Greece?
A broad ocean-shipping planning range is about $1,400–$3,400 before Greek customs duty, import VAT, registration tax, port fees, and any technical modifications.
How long does a car take to reach Greece?
Typical ocean transit is roughly 4–6 weeks, depending on US departure port, vessel schedule, and transshipment.
What is the main car-shipping port in Greece?
Piraeus is the principal gateway for many international vehicle shipments. Thessaloniki and Patras may be used for selected routings.
Do I pay tax when importing a US car into Greece?
For a permanent import from outside the EU, customs duty and import VAT generally apply unless a relief applies, and Greece also has a registration tax before Greek registration.
Can any US-spec car be registered in Greece?
No automatic guarantee exists. The specific vehicle must meet the technical, safety, emissions, and approval requirements applicable to registration in Greece.
Is there a relocation exemption?
Greek rules provide certain tax/registration reliefs for qualifying transfers of habitual residence, but the conditions are specific. Confirm eligibility with Greek customs before shipment.
Related Vehicle Shipping Services
Planning a different shipping method or comparing routes? See our international car shipping from the USA, RoRo shipping to Greece, and container shipping to Greece guides.
Request Your Car Shipping Quote to Greece
Send your VIN, pickup ZIP code, year, make, model, running condition, and preferred Greek port. For permanent import, we also recommend a Greece-side tax and registration review before booking.
Jessica Reynolds works with All TransportDepot Inc., an FMC-licensed and bonded NVOCC (License No. 021693) serving international shipping and export needs for more than 20 years. Her role is closely connected to shipment planning, customer coordination, documentation, cargo readiness, and booking support across vehicle transport, container freight, heavy equipment, boats, RoRo, inland moves, and ocean cargo. All TransportDepot Inc. serves individuals, dealers, exporters, and commercial clients shipping from the United States to destinations worldwide.