Ocean & Air Freight Shipping From the United States to Poland

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. 

What Are the Options for Shipping Freight From the United States to Poland?

To ship freight from the United States to Poland, you can choose between ocean and air freight.  

Ocean Freight From the United States to Poland

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 from the United States to Poland

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. 

How Much Does it Cost to Ship Cargo From the United States to Poland?

The cost of shipping cargo from the United States to Poland will depend on the following factors: 

• Your choice of ocean or air shipping
• Your preference for door-to-door, port-to-port, port-to-door, or door-to-port shipment
• Your consignment’s weight, volume, and size
• Weight and size limits

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:

How long does it take to ship cargo from the United States to Poland?

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:

• The shipping season (peak or low)
• Direct or indirect shipment route
• The trade lane's popularity
• Geopolitical instability
• Potential incidents at ports

How long does it take to ship cargo by sea from the United States to Poland?

Ocean freight from the United States to Poland will take around 15 to 50 days.

How long does it take to ship cargo by air from the United States to Poland?

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.

Customs Clearance in the United States to Poland

When your goods arrive in Poland, they will go through customs. For this, you will need to prepare and submit the following documents: 

• A commercial invoice
• A packing list
• A certificate of origin
• A letter of credit or other payment terms (depending on the contract between the parties involved)
• A bill of lading for ocean freight or an Airway Bill for air freight

We have a full documents list that you can refer to for examples of these customs clearance requirements. 

Should You Choose Ocean Freight or Air Freight?

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

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. 

Considerations for LCL Freight Shipping

LCL is suitable for you if your cargo is: 

• Small in size and quantity 
• Lightweight
• Suitable for consolidation with cargo belonging to other shippers 
• Not delicate, fragile, or high-value 
• Not requiring special handling or movement 

Considerations for FCL Freight Shipping

You might be better off with FCL if your cargo is: 

• Large in size and quantity 
• Heavy or overweight
• Not suitable for consolidation with cargo belonging to other shippers
• Delicate, fragile, or high-value 
• Requiring special handling or movement 

Air Freight

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. 

Ocean Cargo Port Guide

Cargo ports of origin in the United States

Port of New Orleans 

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. 

Port of Tampa 

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. 

Port of Baltimore 

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. 

Cargo ports of arrival in Poland

Port of Gdansk

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. 

Port of Gdynia

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. 

Port of Szczecin

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. 

Air Freight from the United States to Poland: An airport guide

Airports of origin in the United States

Los Angeles International Airport

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. 

Louisville Muhammad Ali International Airport

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. 

Memphis International Airport 

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. 

Airports of arrival in Poland

Warsaw Chopin Airport

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. 

Rzeszów-Jasionka Airport

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.

Katowice Airport

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.