Philippine apparel sourcing guide
Import apparel from the Philippines to Greece
Buyers importing apparel from the Philippines to Greece can source blank shirts and custom OEM/ODM garments directly from PHShirt. We prepare commercial documentation for the agreed Incoterm and coordinate freight from the Philippines toward Athens, Piraeus, Thessaloniki, Crete, and resort islands across Greece. Final duties, permits, labelling, and product-safety obligations should be confirmed with a licensed broker or competent authority before shipment.
- 5 blank brandsYalex · A2Z · Crown · Softex · Blackhorse
- EU & Med export deskEU GSP+ (0% duty) · REACH · REX origin
- 5 branchesTagum · Davao · CDO · Zamboanga · Manila
- Sample order≤5 pcs · paid · ships in 7 days
Sample of what we ship to Greece
Custom embroidery and OEM cuts from our Philippine production line, tailored for Mediterranean resort boutiques, yachting clubs, corporate events, and EU retail lines.
Custom-embroidered polo · 240 GSM combed cotton
Detail of chest placement · OEKO-TEX reactive dyes
Why source apparel from the Philippines?
PHShirt combines export-ready garment production with direct access to established blank-shirt brands. Buyers can source Yalex, A2Z, Crown, Softex, and Blackhorse blanks or commission OEM/ODM runs with custom fabric, sizing, labels, printing, embroidery, and packaging.
- Flexible productionBlank-stock fulfillment and custom manufacturing from one supplier.
- Document coordinationCommercial invoice, packing list, and origin documents prepared to the agreed shipment.
- Human export supportOne sales contact from specification review through dispatch.
Philippines to Greece Shipping Corridors & Ports
Direct Mediterranean ocean container corridors and international air-cargo connections linking Philippine production lines to Greek maritime terminals and regional European distribution corridors.
Major International Seaports (Ocean Container Gateways)
Containerized FCL and LCL garment cargo ships out of Philippine container ports and enters Greece through Mediterranean deep-water hubs with direct intermodal rail links to Athens, Northern Greece, and the Balkans.
Philippines Departure Seaports
Origin Hubs- Davao International Container Port (DICT) PHDVO / PHDIC
Premier modern deep-water container terminal in Panabo City, Davao Gulf. Features a 15-meter natural draft accommodating post-Panamax vessels. Operates direct scheduled weekly feeder loops connecting into Mediterranean line-haul container services to Piraeus.
- Port of Manila (MICT & South Harbor) PHMNL
Largest international container gateway in the Philippines, processing over 4.5 million TEUs annually. Offers high-frequency feeder sailings and direct mother vessel connections linking Philippine garment production lines to the Mediterranean.
- Cebu International Port (CIP) PHCEB
Central Visayas maritime cargo consolidation hub linking garment manufacturing plants in Mactan and Cebu export processing zones with international feeder loops.
- Batangas International Port PHBTG
Alternative deep-water container terminal in Southern Luzon serving Calabarzon export manufacturing zones with direct highway links bypassing Metro Manila traffic.
- Subic Bay International Container Port (NCT) PHSFS
Strategic deep-water Freeport container terminal serving Central and Northern Luzon industrial estates with dedicated highway transit and rapid customs dispatch.
Greece Arrival Seaports
Destination Hubs- Port of Piraeus (PPA / COSCO Terminals) GRPIR
Greece's largest seaport and the premier Mediterranean container transshipment hub handling over 5 million TEUs annually. Operates state-of-the-art automated deep-water container piers (Piers I, II, and III) with direct electrified rail freight corridors linking into Athens, Central Greece, and the Balkans.
- Port of Thessaloniki (ThPA Container Terminal) GRSKG
Northern Greece's premier container port and multimodal logistics gateway, serving Central and Western Macedonia, Northern Greece, Bulgaria, North Macedonia, Serbia, and the wider Balkan hinterland.
- Port of Patras GRGPA
Western Greece's strategic maritime port providing short-sea Ro-Ro and container links across the Ionian and Adriatic Seas connecting Greece to Italy and Southern Europe.
- Port of Heraklion GRHER
Major maritime commercial hub on the island of Crete, facilitating regional island distribution for resort gift shops, hospitality chains, and tourism uniform programs.
Major International Airports (Air Cargo Gateways)
Time-critical boutique apparel, seasonal resort merchandise, pre-production size runs, and corporate event uniforms fly directly between Philippine cargo gateways and Greek international air hubs.
Philippines Departure Airports
Origin Air Cargo- Davao Francisco Bangoy International Airport (DVO) DVO / RPMD
Primary air cargo facility for Southern Mindanao. Features regular widebody domestic bellyhold cargo feeding into Manila (MNL) for consolidated international air waybills connecting directly to Greece.
- Ninoy Aquino International Airport (NAIA / MNL) MNL / RPLL
National air cargo flagship in Metro Manila. Connects air freight shipments to Athens (ATH) via scheduled widebody services and freighters operated through Doha (Qatar Airways), Dubai (Emirates SkyCargo), Istanbul (Turkish Cargo), and European hubs.
- Clark International Airport (CRK) CRK / RPLC
Major express freight hub hosting dedicated international integrator facilities (FedEx, UPS, DHL). Features 24/7 freighter ramp handling and rapid customs clearance for Northern Luzon.
- Mactan-Cebu International Airport (CEB) CEB / RPVM
Central Visayas air cargo gateway linking garment producers to international airline networks through transshipment via Singapore (SIN) and Hong Kong (HKG).
Greece Arrival Airports
Destination Air Cargo- Athens International Airport "Eleftherios Venizelos" (ATH / LGAV) ATH / LGAV
Greece's premier international airport and air cargo flagship located in Spata, Attica. Features dedicated air cargo terminals, temperature-controlled facilities, on-site customs clearance (AADE ICISnet), and regular widebody cargo flights.
- Thessaloniki Airport "Makedonia" (SKG / LGTS) SKG / LGTS
Major international airport in Northern Greece handling regional commercial air freight, express integrator deliveries, and garment replenishment for Central Macedonia.
- Heraklion International Airport (HER / LGIR) HER / LGIR
Crete's primary air gateway facilitating rapid express deliveries for resort boutiques, hotel staff uniforms, and seasonal island tourism merchandise.
Philippines to Greece Freight Planning Summary
Landed-cost & Trade Framework for Greece
A reliable landed-cost estimate needs the final garment specification, quantity, packing dimensions, HS classification, Incoterm, destination, and delivery mode.
- Trade Framework
- European Union Generalized Scheme of Preferences Plus (EU GSP+)
- Duty & Customs Guide
- Under the EU GSP+ trade arrangement, qualifying apparel manufactured in the Philippines enters Greece and the European Union at 0% preferential customs tariff rates when supported by an approved Registered Exporter (REX) statement on origin. Standard Greek Value Added Tax (FPA / VAT) applies at 24% on the Customs Value plus import charges, recoverable for VAT-registered Greek businesses. Customs declarations are processed electronically through the Greek Customs AADE ICISnet system. Importers must hold a valid European EORI number.
- Recommended Fabrics
- Breathable 180 to 220 GSM ring-spun combed cotton t-shirts, UV-resistant pique cotton-poly polos for resort and sailing staff, quick-dry performance poly-spandex for watersports, and OEKO-TEX certified reactive dyes for vibrant colourfastness under Mediterranean sun.
- Destination currency
- Euro (EUR)
- Freight variables
- Chargeable weight or volume ratio, international marine bunker surcharges, port terminal handling charges at Piraeus or Thessaloniki, ICISnet customs clearance fees, and Greek domestic road or island ferry transport.
Compliance checkpoints for Greece
These checkpoints are planning prompts, not a substitute for a binding tariff ruling or legal advice. Confirm the exact product scope before production labels and packaging are approved.
- EU GSP+ REX Origin Statement: Philippine exporters must be registered under the EU REX (Registered Exporter) system. A valid statement on origin on the commercial invoice grants 0% preferential customs duty upon arrival in Greece.
- Textile Labelling (EU) No 1007/2011: Permanent garment labels must state fibre composition in Greek (and English), care symbols per ISO 3758, manufacturer or EU importer details, and country of origin ("Made in Philippines").
- REACH Chemical Safety (EC 1907/2006): Fabrics and dyes must comply with EU REACH restrictions, ensuring garments are free from harmful azo dyes, heavy metals, formaldehyde, and phthalates (OEKO-TEX Standard 100 certified).
- Greek Customs (AADE / ICISnet): Electronic entry declarations (ENS / SAD) filed via the ICISnet system by an accredited customs broker with a valid Greek/EU EORI number.
- CE Marking & Safety: Basic fashion garments do not require CE marking; high-visibility or protective workwear must conform to the EU Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) Regulation (EU) 2016/425. Review our technical guide to CE certification for apparel.
HS classification starting points
Most apparel begins in EU TARIC Chapter 61 (knitted or crocheted) or Chapter 62 (woven). Fibre composition, knit versus woven construction, gender, garment type, and intended use determine the final 10-digit TARIC line. The 8-digit CN codes below are the standard planning prompts for Philippine apparel imported into Greece; your licensed broker or the EU TARIC Consultation database confirms the final line.
- 6109 10 00 - Cotton T-shirts, singlets, and tank tops, knitted or crocheted (Chapter 61)
- 6110 20 10 - Cotton jerseys, pullovers, cardigans, and sweatshirts, knitted or crocheted (Chapter 61)
- 6203 42 00 - Men's or boys' cotton shorts, trousers, and chinos, woven (Chapter 62)
- 6205 20 00 - Men's or boys' woven cotton shirts and summer button-downs (Chapter 62)
Cotton apparel lines carry a standard 12% EU MFN duty. As an EU GSP+ beneficiary, qualifying Philippine apparel enters Greece at 0% preferential duty when accompanied by a compliant REX origin declaration. Verify current status with your customs broker prior to shipment.
Documents commonly prepared
Document requirements vary by buyer, carrier, bank, customs authority, and trade arrangement.
- 01Commercial invoiceSeller, buyer, goods, values, currency, Incoterm, and REX origin declaration.
- 02Packing listCartons, quantities, sizes, net and gross weight, and dimensions.
- 03Transport documentBill of lading, sea waybill, or air waybill issued for the shipment.
- 04Supporting certificatesOrigin, testing, inspection, or preferential documents when required.
MOQ, timing, and payment
Production starts after specification, sample or artwork, price, payment, and delivery terms are approved in writing.
- Minimum order
- 50 pieces per design for custom production; blank-stock MOQs depend on brand, color, and size mix
- Production lead time
- 3–6 weeks after sample, artwork, and payment approval; shipping time is additional
- Typical payment structure
- SEPA / international wire transfer (EUR); documentary collection or irrevocable letter of credit may be agreed for qualified larger orders
Importing from the Philippines to Greece: FAQ
Answers for early-stage sourcing. Your quotation will state the commercial terms that apply to the actual order.
What is the minimum order for shipping apparel to Greece?
50 pieces per design for custom production, with sizes mixed freely within the MOQ. Blank-stock orders for brands such as Yalex, A2Z, Crown, Softex, and Blackhorse depend on inventory and colour availability.
Custom woven brand labels carry a standard 100-piece minimum per design. Sample runs are 1–5 pieces at a paid sample fee, fully credited against your subsequent bulk production order.
How long does shipping from the Philippines to Greece take?
Ocean freight transit from Manila (MICT) or Davao (DICT) to the Port of Piraeus (GRPIR) or Thessaloniki (GRSKG) typically requires 22–35 days via Mediterranean line-haul container services.
Air cargo takes 2–4 days from Manila or Clark to Athens International Airport (ATH). Express couriers (DHL / FedEx) deliver pre-production samples door-to-door within 3–5 business days.
Which HS codes commonly apply to apparel imported into Greece?
Knitted cotton apparel falls under EU TARIC Chapter 61 (e.g., 6109.10.00 for T-shirts and 6110.20.10 for sweatshirts). Woven apparel falls under Chapter 62 (e.g., 6203.42.00 for shorts/trousers and 6205.20.00 for button-down shirts).
A licensed Greek customs broker confirms the final 10-digit TARIC code based on garment construction, fibre content, gender, and intended use.
Can PHShirt supply Greek-language labels and custom packaging for Greece?
Yes. OEM/ODM orders can include buyer-approved woven neck labels, care labels complying with EU Regulation 1007/2011 (with Greek fibre descriptions), barcode hangtags, individual polybags, and custom carton markings.
Labels can feature your boutique or brand logo, fibre content percentages, and the mandatory origin label "Made in Philippines".
Which Incoterms can be quoted?
PHShirt quotes standard Incoterms 2020 rules: EXW (ex-works Tagum or Manila), FOB (free on board Manila or Davao), CFR (cost and freight to Port of Piraeus or Thessaloniki), and CIF (cost, insurance, and freight). Your formal quotation will clearly state the Incoterm and named port.
Request a Greece import quote
Tell us your garment type, quantity, and target delivery date. We'll respond same-day with a planning brief, sample options, and a freight outline. Your details go straight to our export desk - no generic inbox.
Discuss a shipment to Greece
Send your garment type, quantity, sizes, decoration method, target delivery date, and destination city.