Poland is now one of Europe’s most efficient logistics gateways — and one of the fastest-growing destinations for containerized cargo from the United States.
From the Baltic ports of Gdańsk, Gdynia, and Szczecin to inland hubs in Warsaw, Katowice, and even Lviv (Ukraine), United Multimodal Services (UMS) operates a complete ocean + rail + customs network that delivers containers directly inland, not just to the port.
Whether you’re exporting construction materials, machinery, or palletized goods, this guide shows how the process works, what it costs, and where to start.
Why Poland Has Become a Logistics Hotspot
Poland connects the U.S. East Coast with Central and Eastern Europe, offering fast access to the EU market and the Ukrainian border zone.
Container throughput at Baltic Hub Gdańsk has doubled in five years, supported by new deep-water capacity and rail modernization.
Most forwarders stop at the port; UMS goes inland — combining ocean service from NY/NJ and Charleston with rail delivery throughout Poland and Ukraine.
How Shipping Containers to Poland Works
1. Pickup in the U.S. – UMS collects your container at Port Newark / Elizabeth (NY/NJ) or Charleston SC.
2. Ocean Freight – Weekly sailings to Gdańsk / Gdynia, average transit 27–33 days.
3. Inland Delivery – Containers transfer to UMS-managed rail for delivery to Warsaw, Katowice, Rzeszów, or Lviv.
4. Customs – Documentation and bonded-transit coordination handled by our internal team.
For a detailed breakdown, see the full guide:
Shipping Containers to Poland — The Complete 2025 Guide
2025 Shipping Costs
| Route | 20′ FCL | 40′ FCL | Transit |
|---|---|---|---|
| NY/NJ → Gdańsk → Warsaw | $1,850 – $2,600 | $3,100 – $4,600 | 27 – 33 days |
| Charleston → Gdańsk → Katowice | $1,900 – $2,700 | $3,200 – $4,800 | 30 – 35 days |
| NY/NJ → Gdańsk → Lviv (UA) | $2,100 – $2,900 | $3,400 – $5,000 | 32 – 38 days |
Rates include port handling and inland rail delivery in Poland.
Door delivery to Ukraine available via bonded rail.
Compare reference pricing from:
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Polamer USA – consumer container rates to Poland.
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iContainers – global route calculator.
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BR Logistics – U.S.–Poland freight estimator.
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I.C.E. Transport – rate factors & cost components.
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ShipNEX – ocean freight transit averages.
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Freightos Calculator – live market benchmarks.
Required Documentation
To ship from the U.S. to Poland (or forward to Ukraine), you’ll need:
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Bill of Lading (B/L)
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Commercial Invoice & Packing List
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Importer EORI Number
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Polish Customs Declaration (KAS) – gov.pl link
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T1 Transit Declaration (for Ukraine)
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Insurance certificate (CIP / CIF optional)
UMS manages filing and translation across both EU and UA authorities.
Transit Timeline
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Ocean: 26–33 days (East Coast → Poland)
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Port Handling + Rail Loading: 1–2 days
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Inland Rail to Warsaw / Lviv: 2–4 days
Because UMS controls its own inland capacity, total delivery is up to a week faster than standard freight forwarders.
Key Questions
How much does it cost to ship a container to Poland?
20′ ≈ $1.8–2.6 k; 40′ ≈ $3.1–4.6 k.
Do you deliver inland in Poland and Ukraine?
Yes — Warsaw, Katowice, Rzeszów, Lviv and Kyiv via rail.
How long does it take?
≈ 27–33 days ocean + 2–4 days rail.
Do you handle customs?
Yes — EU entry + bonded transit.
Is insurance available?
Optional CIP or CIF coverage through UMS.
Why Choose UMS
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Pickup at NY/NJ and Charleston ports
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Direct ocean service to Gdańsk / Gdynia
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Guaranteed rail delivery in Poland and Ukraine
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Single customs flow (EU entry + bonded transit)
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English · Polish · Ukrainian support
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One invoice, no intermediaries
Request a Quote → united-multimodal.com/pages/freight-forwarding#quote-form
Full Guide → united-multimodal.com/pages/shipping-containers-to-poland-the-complete-2025-guide
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