How to Ship from the US to Poland: Complete 2026 Guide

Introduction

Poland has emerged as one of the most dynamic e-commerce markets in Central and Eastern Europe, with over 30 million internet users and a rapidly growing online shopping culture. Polish consumers are increasingly purchasing from international retailers, attracted by American brands in electronics, fashion, health and wellness, and specialty goods. Additionally, the large Polish diaspora in the United States, estimated at over 9 million Polish Americans, regularly sends packages, gifts, and care parcels to family and friends in Poland.

As an EU member state, Poland follows European Union customs and import regulations, which provides a familiar framework for shippers already experienced with other EU destinations. However, Poland's logistics infrastructure, while significantly modernized since EU accession in 2004, still has some regional differences. Major cities like Warsaw, Krakow, Wroclaw, Gdansk, and Poznan benefit from excellent delivery networks, while rural eastern Poland may experience slightly longer delivery times.

Poland offers a cost-effective entry point to the Central and Eastern European market. Shipping rates to Poland are generally competitive with other EU destinations, and the country's improving logistics infrastructure means delivery reliability continues to improve year over year. This guide covers everything you need to know about shipping from the US to Poland in 2026.

Poland is also notable for its innovative approach to parcel delivery. The country pioneered the widespread adoption of automated parcel lockers through InPost, and Poland's parcel locker density per capita is among the highest in the world. This has transformed how Polish consumers receive packages and has implications for international shippers and e-commerce sellers targeting the Polish market.

Best Carriers for Shipping to Poland

USPS provides the most affordable shipping options for personal and small business shipments. Priority Mail International delivers in 6 to 10 business days, and Priority Mail Express International delivers in 3 to 5 business days. First-Class Package International Service handles items under 4 pounds with transit times of 10 to 21 days. USPS partners with Poczta Polska (the Polish national postal operator) for final delivery. Poczta Polska provides extensive coverage including rural areas, though delivery to remote locations may take additional days.

UPS offers UPS Worldwide Express (1-3 business days), UPS Worldwide Expedited (2-5 business days), and UPS Worldwide Saver. UPS has expanded its Polish operations significantly and maintains delivery coverage throughout the country. UPS's customs brokerage services simplify the import process and are particularly valuable for commercial shipments.

FedEx provides FedEx International Priority (1-3 business days) and FedEx International Economy (2-5 business days). FedEx has a growing presence in Poland and offers solid service to major cities. FedEx's tracking and customs clearance capabilities make it suitable for both personal and commercial shipments.

DHL Express delivers in 1 to 3 business days and has a very strong presence in Poland. DHL is the market leader in express delivery in Poland and maintains an extensive delivery network. DHL's European headquarters proximity and strong Central European operations make it an excellent choice for shipments to Poland.

InPost is Poland's innovative parcel locker network, with over 20,000 automated parcel machines (Paczkomaty) across the country. While you cannot ship directly to InPost lockers from the US, some carriers offer delivery to InPost locations, and understanding InPost is helpful for e-commerce sellers, as many Polish consumers prefer locker pickup over home delivery.

Shipping Costs and Transit Times

Rates to Poland are generally in line with other Central European EU destinations. DHL often offers competitive pricing to Poland given its strong market position in the region.

It is worth noting that shipping costs to Poland are typically 5% to 15% lower than shipping to Western European destinations like France or Germany for express services, reflecting the competitive logistics landscape in Central Europe. However, USPS postal rates to Poland are comparable to other EU destinations, as USPS applies zone-based pricing for international mail. For heavy packages exceeding 20 pounds, commercial freight options through carriers or freight forwarders may offer better value than standard express services.

Customs, Duties, and Import Regulations

Poland follows EU customs regulations as a member state since 2004.

De Minimis Threshold: The EU de minimis threshold of EUR 150 applies. Commercial shipments valued at EUR 150 or less are exempt from customs duties but remain subject to Polish VAT. All commercial imports are subject to VAT regardless of value since the EU eliminated the EUR 22 VAT exemption in 2021.

VAT: Poland applies a standard VAT rate of 23%, which is one of the higher rates in the EU. A reduced rate of 8% applies to certain food products, pharmaceuticals, children's clothing, and books. A super-reduced rate of 5% applies to basic food staples, certain periodicals, and some health-related products. VAT is calculated on the customs value plus any applicable duties and shipping costs.

Customs Duties: Goods valued above EUR 150 are subject to EU Common External Tariff duties based on HS codes. Rates vary by product category, with electronics typically facing 0-5%, clothing 8-12%, and footwear up to 17%.

IOSS: For e-commerce sellers shipping goods valued at EUR 150 or less to Polish consumers, the EU's Import One-Stop Shop system allows VAT to be collected at the point of sale, creating a smoother experience for the buyer.

Documentation: Standard EU customs documentation requirements apply. Include detailed descriptions, declared values, HS codes, and country of origin on all customs forms. Polish customs (Sluzba Celna) processes imports efficiently but requires accurate documentation.

Gifts: Personal gifts between individuals are exempt from duties up to EUR 45.

Prohibited and Restricted Items

Poland follows EU-wide import restrictions with some local considerations:

• Prohibited: Narcotics, counterfeit goods, weapons without permits, asbestos products, CITES-protected species products, and goods violating intellectual property rights.
• Restricted: Alcohol and tobacco (subject to excise duties, Polish excise rates are significant), food products (must comply with EU food safety standards), medications (personal quantities with prescription; EU pharmaceutical regulations apply), electronics (must have CE marking for commercial sale), dietary supplements (EU regulation applies), plants and seeds (phytosanitary certificates may be required).
• Poland-Specific: Poland has strict regulations on importing certain types of weapons and self-defense products. Cultural artifacts and historical items of Polish origin may face export and import restrictions. Certain chemicals and pesticides face additional scrutiny under EU REACH regulations.

Packaging Tips for International Shipments

Use sturdy corrugated boxes with adequate cushioning for all shipments to Poland. Standard international packaging practices apply. Polish addresses should include the recipient's name, street address and building/apartment number, postal code (2 digits, dash, 3 digits, e.g., 00-001), city, and "POLAND" as the country. Include the recipient's phone number for delivery coordination.

Many Polish consumers use InPost parcel lockers for domestic deliveries. If you are an e-commerce seller, consider that your Polish customers may prefer packages that fit in standard parcel locker compartments (up to approximately 41x38x64 cm for the largest size).

Poland experiences cold winters with temperatures frequently dropping below freezing in December through February. If you are shipping temperature-sensitive items during winter months, consider insulated packaging to protect against cold damage during transit and delivery. Conversely, summer temperatures in Poland are generally moderate and do not typically pose heat-related packaging concerns for most products.

Tracking and Insurance Options

USPS provides tracking that transfers to Poczta Polska's system. Poczta Polska tracking is functional but may update less frequently than express carriers. UPS, FedEx, and DHL provide comprehensive end-to-end tracking for shipments to Poland with real-time updates at each stage.

Insurance coverage follows standard patterns: USPS includes up to $200 for Priority services, while express carriers offer declared value coverage. For high-value shipments, third-party insurance is available and recommended. Poland has generally low rates of package loss and theft, but customs processing delays can occasionally occur, particularly for packages with incomplete documentation or questionable declared values. Having insurance provides peace of mind during the import process.

How to Save on International Shipping

Compare rates across carriers: Rates to Poland vary between carriers, and the cheapest option depends on package weight, size, and required speed.

Use Atoship for discounted rates: Access pre-negotiated commercial rates through Atoship, saving 20% to 40% on shipments to Poland. Compare USPS, UPS, FedEx, and DHL in one platform.

Take advantage of USPS for lightweight packages: USPS First-Class Package International remains the most affordable option for items under 4 pounds, particularly when combined with Poczta Polska's extensive domestic network.

Leverage DHL's strong Polish network: DHL's market leadership in Poland often translates to competitive rates and reliable delivery. Check DHL pricing when comparing carriers.

Consider parcel locker delivery: For e-commerce, shipping to InPost parcel lockers can reduce failed delivery attempts and lower costs. Some logistics providers offer this as an option.

Accurate customs documentation: Complete, accurate paperwork prevents delays and additional charges. Include HS codes to facilitate smooth customs processing.

Frequently Asked Questions

How long does shipping from the US to Poland take? Express carriers deliver in 1 to 5 business days. USPS Priority Mail International takes 6 to 10 business days. Economy services take 10 to 21 days. Customs clearance typically adds 1 to 3 days. Delivery to major Polish cities is faster than to rural areas.

What is the Polish VAT rate on imports? Poland charges 23% VAT on most imported goods, one of the higher rates in the EU. Reduced rates of 8% and 5% apply to specific categories like food, books, and medical products.

Is there a large Polish community in the US that ships to Poland? Yes, the US has one of the largest Polish diaspora populations in the world, with over 9 million Polish Americans. This creates a busy shipping corridor between the US and Poland, particularly around holidays like Christmas, Easter, and Polish name days. Many Polish specialty food stores in cities like Chicago, New York, and Detroit offer shipping services to Poland.

What customs paperwork do I need for shipping to Poland? For USPS, use CN 22 for items under $400 and CN 23 for items over $400. For UPS, FedEx, and DHL, provide a commercial invoice with item descriptions, declared values, quantities, HS tariff codes, and country of origin. All forms should clearly state whether the contents are gifts or merchandise.

What is InPost and why do Polish consumers prefer it? InPost is Poland's innovative parcel locker network with over 20,000 automated parcel machines (called Paczkomaty) located throughout the country in convenient locations like shopping centers, gas stations, and residential areas. Polish consumers can collect packages 24/7 from these lockers using a code sent to their phone. Over 50% of Polish e-commerce deliveries now go through InPost lockers, making it the most popular delivery method in Poland. For US e-commerce sellers, understanding this preference is important because Polish customers may request delivery to an InPost locker. While direct international shipping to InPost is not standard, some fulfillment services with Polish warehouses offer InPost as a last-mile option.

What are the best times to ship to Poland? Avoid shipping during peak holiday periods if possible. Polish holidays that create shipping surges include Christmas (December 24-26), Easter, All Saints' Day (November 1), and Polish Independence Day (November 11). The pre-Christmas period from late November through December experiences the highest shipping volumes. Summer months (June-August) generally have faster transit and clearance times. For time-sensitive gifts, ship at least 2 to 3 weeks before major Polish holidays to account for potential customs delays and carrier volume surcharges.