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Unbeknownst to many, the United States and Poland have a dynamic trade relationship. This relationship is characterized by an abundant exchange of goods, services, and investments that contribute to the prosperity of both nations. Poland’s trade ties with the United States have become vital for bilateral economic gains as it emerges as a central European powerhouse.
In fact, in 2022, the United States exported $11.7 billion worth of goods to Poland. Its main exports include petroleum gas, gas turbines, and crude petroleum. This trade relationship has grown at an annualized rate of 9.48% in the last 27 years.
If you want to ship goods from the United States to Poland, you’ve come to the right place. Here’s everything you need to know about the process and an overview of your ocean and air freight shipping options.
To ship freight from the United States to Poland, you can choose between ocean and air freight.
Ocean freight is the most economical and flexible mode of international shipping. It can accommodate a range of cargo types and offers shippers two ways to ship their goods by container: less-than-container load (LCL) and full-container load (FCL).
In LCL, your goods will be consolidated with cargo belonging to other shippers, which means you only have to pay for the space your goods occupy. This is cost-effective, especially if you’re shipping small items or in small volumes.
In FCL, on the other hand, you rent the space in an entire container for your goods alone. It’s ideal for larger or heavier cargo, offering more space, control, and security for your goods. While FCL is more expensive than LCL, it generally provides value for money for those with high-volume shipping needs.
Air freight is another way to ship goods from the United States to Poland. It’s the fastest but also most expensive mode of international shipping. Shippers of high-value goods also prefer air freight because of its security, with more stringent airport regulations providing more protection for cargo. Air freight, however, has limits regarding what you can ship, as well as their size, volumes, and dimensions.
The cost of shipping cargo from the United States to Poland will depend on the following factors:
For an accurate estimate of your shipping costs, utilize our freight costs calculator. Below, you'll find the current cost for shipping a standard 20-foot container from the US to Poland:
TRADE LANE RATES
The transit time for goods shipped from the United States to Poland depends mainly on the international shipping mode you select. Additional factors influencing the transit time are:
Ocean freight from the United States to Poland will take around 15 to 50 days.
Air freight from the United States to Piland will take around 2-8 days.
For the most accurate estimate, we recommend using our transit time calculator.
When your goods arrive in Poland, they will go through customs. For this, you will need to prepare and submit the following documents:
We have a full documents list that you can refer to for examples of these customs clearance requirements.
When choosing between ocean freight and air freight, you need to consider your needs, priorities, and the specific requirements of your cargo. To help you make the right decision, here are some pointers:
Ocean freight is ideal for you if you prioritize cost efficiency and flexibility. It can accommodate whatever type of goods you need to get to Poland without charging too high for transport. If you choose ocean freight, you will have to decide whether to ship via LCL or FCL.
LCL is suitable for you if your cargo is:
You might be better off with FCL if your cargo is:
If your priority is getting your cargo to Poland fast, we recommend using air freight. Taking up to a little more than a week to complete, air freight is best for time-sensitive and perishable shipments that need to arrive at their destination quickly. It’s also more secure than ocean freight, making it ideal for high-value goods.
Keep in mind, however, that air freight can get expensive. It also has strict rules about what you can and cannot ship.
The Port of New Orleans is the 15th busiest container port in the United States, handling over 500,000 TEUs per year. It serves as a major gateway for cargo moving from the United States to Latin America.
The Port of Tampa handles over 500,000 TEUs annually, serving as a major gateway for cargo moving from the U.S. to Brazil, Colombia, and Chile. It is the 14th busiest container port in the United States.
The Port of Baltimore handles over 1 million TEUs, making it the 13th busiest port in the United States. It mainly handles shipments from the U.S. bound for Asia, including China and India.
The Port of Gdansk is located on the Motwala River on the southern coast of Gdansk Bay. It is one of the largest seaports on the Baltic Sea and is Poland’s busiest port, handling 53.2 million tonnes of cargo annually.
The Port of Gdynia is located in northern Poland. It’s the largest seaport in the country, handling 27 million tonnes of cargo per year. The port also serves as the home port of the Polish navy, in addition to handling all types of cargo shipments.
The Port of Szczecin is located on the River Odra, with rail and road connections to Berlin. The port is close to Slovakia and the Czech Republic and has the shortest route connecting Sweden with Central Europe.
The Los Angeles International Airport is the primary international airport that serves Los Angeles and its metropolitan area. It is located in California, United States. The airport is a hub for Delta Air Lines, American Airlines, United Airlines, and more.
The Louisville Muhammad Ali International Airport, also known simply as the Louisville International Airport, is a civil-military airport. It is located in Louisville, Jefferson County, Kentucky. The airport covers a land area of 1,500 acres.
The Memphis International Airport is a civil-military airport located 7 miles southeast of Downtown Memphis, Shelby County, Tennessee, United States. It primarily serves Memphis and is a hub for Delta Air Lines, FedEx Express, and more.
The Warsaw Chopin Airport is in the Włochy district of Warsaw, Poland. In terms of passenger traffic, it is the busiest airport in Poland and the 32nd busiest in Europe. The airport is a hub for LOT Polish Airlines, Wizz Air, Enter Air, and more.
The Rzeszów-Jasionka Airport is an international airport in southern Poland, specifically in the village of Jasionka, which is 10 kilometers from the city center of Rzeszów. It is a hub for OLT Express.
The Katowice Airport is in Pyrzowice, 30 kilometers north of Katowice, Poland. It is the country’s fourth-busiest airport by passenger traffic and a hub for Wizz Air, LOT Polish Airlines, Enter Air, Buzz, and more.
About Us
The process of shipping cargo involves considering several factors, such as the season, shipment size, the chosen shipping method, and the origin and destination points.
Backed by years of experience, iContainers offers traditional freight forwarding services enhanced with modern technology for your convenience. Our digital platform provides you with the ability to manage your entire shipment—from requesting a quote to booking and tracking your cargo—directly from your mobile device.
Contact us anytime for a free quote. We are always here to provide you with the necessary information.