As regards European road & railway transport, emanating within the European Union, Greek law allows the operation of private warehouses. Therefore PHOENIX operates its own cargo consolidation warehouses in Athens/Piraeus and Thessaloniki and daily collections and deliveries are performed. It is noted that private warehouses are allowed to accommodate EU traffic arriving to the country only by road (exceptions exist on transport of liquor, cigarettes, automobiles and certain petrochemicals).
Most of the road transport into the country drives through the Greek ports of Patras and Igoumenitsa, on ferry-boat connection to the Italian ports of Trieste, Venice, Ancona, Bari and Brindisi, however the ports of Patras and Igoumenitsa maintain a Europort status, operating on basis SSHINC (Saturdays, Sundays and Holidays included), resulting to 24 hour port operation, 365 days a year. No customs formalities apply in these ports.
However, as regards European FCL & LCL traffic, the use of port terminals (CY) and warehouses (CFS) is compulsory. Furthermore, Greek customs require a T2L document to enable movement of FCL and LCL shipments pertaining to EU cargo, from the port to their final destination in the country.
The port of Piraeus and Thessaloniki terminals and customs are operating daily on one shift, from 08:30 to 14:30 hours on basis SSHEX (Saturdays, Sundays and Holidays excluded). It is not possible to deliver to or withdraw cargo from the port terminal (CY and CFS) beyond such hours, whilst on Saturdays, and Thessaloniki (SKG) are on offer daily on basis SHEX (Sundays and Holidays excluded) from Monday to Friday 08:30-18:00 hours and Saturday 08:30-13:00 hours. It is not possible to deliver to or withdraw cargo from the airport warehouse beyond such hours, whilst oSundays and Holidays the port terminal is not on operation to accommodate cargo deliveries and withdrawals.
Cargo services at the airports of Athens (ATH)n Sundays and Holidays the cargo terminal is not on operation to accommodate deliveries and withdrawals. Problems have been reported on the Saturday half-shift operations.
Therefore, the success of a freight forwarding company, depends on its organization, the effectiveness of its activities and the awareness to define and comply with critical details (schedules follow up, operating hours, tracing and tracking, commercial and customs documentation, port clearance, regular notifications to customers e.t.c.).
OFFICIAL HOLIDAYS 2006
JANUARY
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Sunday, January 1st - New year's day
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Monday, January 2nd - Bank holiday
MARCH
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Monday, March 4th - Ash Monday
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Saturday, March 25th - Independence day
APRIL
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Friday, April 21st - Good Friday
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Sunday, April 23rd - Orthodox Easter
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Monday, April 24th - Easter Monday
MAY
JUNE
AUGUST
OCTOBER
DECEMBER
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Monday, December 25th - Christmas
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Tuesday, December 26th - Boxing day
