Shipping to Poland: the complete guide

Poland has increasingly caught the eye of e-commerce watchers. With a sizeable market and a notable audience, it's well worth the attention of online retailers. Fashion makes up the largest share of revenue, while electronics and furniture are growing strongly. An economy of around 38 million people, Poland is a strong market whose growth in recent years shows it will play an ever more important role.

Shipping to Poland: what you need to know

The address format for Poland

Let's start with the basics. The address format for Poland is standardized and broadly similar to many European formats, using four lines: first and last name, street and house number, postal code and city, and POLAND.

There are a few specifics, though. Street names are often preceded by an abbreviation:

• ul. for Ulica (street)

• al. for Aleja (avenue)

• pl. for Plac (square)

• os. for Osiedle (estate)

A "/" is often added after the house number, followed by another number, for example "ul. Nowogrodzka 1/3". The second number is the apartment number, which is always included in Polish addresses. Polish postal codes always have a hyphen after the first two digits, so a Warsaw postal code reads like "01-481". Finish with the country name, in English (POLAND).

Are there customs rules for Poland?

Within the European Union there are no customs and goods move freely. Poland has been in the EU since 2004, so shipping from another EU country is duty-free and you don't need to worry about customs. Shipping from outside the EU is different: don't forget the essential customs documents like the customs declaration and commercial invoice. When shipping into Poland from a non-EU country, country-specific rules apply, particularly for medicines and for goods that come into contact with food or the body, which can require certificates or proof of quality.

Shipping restrictions for Poland

There are no special shipping restrictions for Poland beyond the usual EU rules. Goods imported from outside the EU are handled under European customs law. Drugs and weapons are prohibited, as are furs, live animals, hides of wild animals, and dangerous goods. Here's a detailed overview:

The EU-wide restrictions on the legal shipping of alcohol apply in Poland too.

Public holidays in Poland

Poland is a predominantly Catholic country, with many Catholic holidays established as public holidays nationwide. On these days public life, and parcel delivery, comes to a standstill, so factor them into your transit-time calculations. Two national holidays to watch are Constitution Day on May 3 and Independence Day on November 11. Polish public holidays include New Year's Day (January 1), Epiphany (January 6), Easter Sunday and Monday, Labour Day (May 1), Constitution Day (May 3), Pentecost, Corpus Christi, Assumption Day (August 15), All Saints' Day (November 1), Independence Day (November 11), and Christmas (December 25 and 26). The movable holidays around Easter and Pentecost shift each year.

How much does shipping to Poland cost?

Shipping to Poland is priced differently by each carrier and is no different from shipping to other EU countries. Price depends on weight, size, and the delivery time you want, with extra costs for larger goods, express, or insurance. Cash on delivery to Poland is generally not offered.

How long does delivery to Poland take?

Delivery to Poland usually takes about as long as to other neighboring EU countries: 3 to 7 days is typical for parcels and packets, depending on the carrier and service. Some carriers work with local partners, others run their own delivery network, which can affect transit times.

How does tracking work?

Want your customers to track their shipments to Poland? Use Sendcloud's track & trace. Customers get their own tracking page in your store's design, so they skip the carrier's often unappealing page and stay entirely within your brand's world. Tracking keeps customers informed about where their parcel is, building transparency and trust, and you can send personalized tracking emails, in Polish too, and place your own banners or Instagram feed on the tracking page to encourage repeat purchases.

The main carriers for shipping to Poland

We always advise using more than one carrier: combining several means a flexible choice of delivery options for your customers at checkout, and the right service for each product for you.

DHL

DHL is one of the most popular and reliable carriers, and DHL Express makes fast delivery to Poland easy. General parcel limits: minimum 15 x 11 x 1 cm, maximum 120 x 60 x 60 cm, girth (L + 2×W + 2×H) up to 300 cm, and weight up to 30 kg (up to 31.5 kg with DHL Express).

DPD

Include the carriers your customers prefer, and DPD belongs in the mix, with standard (DPD Classic) or express. Parcel sizes range from XS (up to 35 cm) to XL (up to 300 cm girth), each up to 31.5 kg.

GLS

GLS gives you one of the densest shipping networks in Europe, with standard (EuroBusinessParcel) and express (EuroExpressParcel). Maximum dimensions are 200 x 80 x 60 cm with a girth up to 300 cm; weight up to 40 kg by standard, or up to 50 kg by express.

UPS

UPS lets you choose standard or express and handles larger, heavier goods well: length up to 274 cm, girth up to 400 cm, and weight up to 70 kg. Services range from UPS Standard and UPS Express to UPS Express Saver and UPS Worldwide Express Freight for B2B.

Packaging for shipping to Poland

There are no special packaging rules for Poland beyond the usual guidance for international shipping. Good packaging is sturdy and protects your goods with as little material as possible.

Can I sell to Poland through Amazon?

Amazon is available in Poland, giving retailers a familiar marketplace to sell through. It's a comparatively low-risk way to establish your products abroad. That said, Amazon is still growing in Poland, so a local marketplace can be well worth considering, language skills permitting. The dominant marketplace in Poland is Allegro, which holds well over 80% market share, ahead of international players like eBay.

Why it's worth shipping to Poland

Where's the advantage in selling to Poland? While other markets are already mature and highly competitive, Poland combines a solid, EU-average disposable income with less competition. That means retailers can achieve results with less marketing effort. And as we always stress, the whole customer journey matters, and there's nothing more valuable than bringing already-converted customers back for another purchase.

How Sendcloud helps you ship to Poland

Thanks to the simple rules for European trade and shipping, there are no major obstacles to shipping to Poland: all the big carriers deliver quickly and at standard rates. With Sendcloud you can combine carriers flexibly, automate with smart shipping rules, handle returns easily, and localize part of your communication. Ready to open up this growing market? Get in touch with us.