Despite Poland's Baltic coastline, the major ports of Gdańsk and Gdynia are poorly connected to many of the major urban cities in the centre and south of the country. As a result, shipping can often take longer than expected.
Still, whether shipping a container or a car to Poland, it generally takes three to four weeks for goods to arrive.
Costs vary depending on the size of the container booked, and it's recommended that expats request quotes from a number of different service providers to find the best deal.
Customs clearance for Poland
As a member of the EU, Poland is part of a greater customs union, which means that goods and items shipped to Poland by EU citizens and residents are duty free. Most used and personal items are also duty free.
If expats are using more than one medium of shipping (i.e. air and sea), all goods must be declared at the initial point of entry.
The paperwork required for customs clearance in Poland can be complicated, but shipping agents generally facilitate this process.
Shipping pets to Poland
Shipping pets to Poland is a straightforward process. Animals must have a microchip that complies with ISO standards, and dogs and cats must have the appropriate vaccinations.
A veterinarian must issue an EU Health Certificate no more than four months prior to an expat's travel date, and an International Health Certificate must be issued within 10 days of departure.