Shipping packages from the USA to Poland — food, gifts, books, clothing — is a common need for Polish families abroad. Costs range from $30 (2 kg of books) to $300 (20 kg with door-to-door service). This guide provides an overview of options.
Main Options
1. USPS (United States Postal Service) — CHEAPEST
Pros
- Cheapest for small packages
- Available everywhere (post offices)
- Can be done online (Click-N-Ship)
- Tracking through USPS
Cons
- Slow (10-30 days)
- Sometimes lost
- Difficult claims for lost items
USPS Options
| Service | Time | Price (2kg) |
|---|---|---|
| Priority Mail International | 6-10 days | ~$40 |
| Priority Mail Express International | 3-5 days | ~$60 |
| First-Class Package International | 14-30 days | ~$25 |
| USPS Flat Rate Box | 6-10 days | $36-65 (depending on size) |
USPS Flat Rate — GOOD DEAL
- "If it fits, it ships" — flat price regardless of weight (up to 20 lbs)
- Small flat rate box: $32 (up to 4 lbs ~1.8 kg)
- Medium flat rate box: $50 (up to 20 lbs ~9 kg)
- Large flat rate box: $65 (up to 20 lbs ~9 kg)
- Free boxes available at the post office / online
2. UPS / FedEx / DHL — MORE EXPENSIVE, FASTER
Pros
- Fast (3-7 days)
- Full tracking
- Better claims
- Reliable
Cons
- Expensive ($60-200+ for 2 kg)
- Surcharges (fuel, residential, oversize)
Typical Price (2 kg package, NYC → Warsaw)
- UPS Worldwide Expedited: $70-90
- UPS Worldwide Saver: $95-130
- FedEx International Economy: $80-110
- FedEx International Priority: $130-180
- DHL Express: $120-180
3. Polish Couriers — GOOD MIDDLE GROUND
Main Companies
- Doroteq (NJ, NYC)
- EuroAmerica Express
- Polish Express
- Polamer (Chicago)
- Tanio Polska
- Speed Express
How They Work
- Consolidate packages from Polish customers
- Ship via common transport (ship, plane)
- Door-to-door delivery in Poland
- Time: typically 2-4 weeks
- Price: $4-6/lb (kg ~$10-15)
Pros of Polish Couriers
- Cheaper than UPS/FedEx for large packages (20+ lbs)
- Polish staff (communication in Polish)
- Pick-up from your home (NYC, NJ, Chicago)
- Door-to-door in Poland (to every village)
- Often can send food, medicines, non-standard items
Cons
- Slower than UPS/FedEx
- Less detailed tracking
- Sometimes holiday delays
4. Carrier Consolidators (online)
- ShipBob, EasyPost — automation
- Parcel Monkey — comparison tool
- ShipStation — for businesses
Cost Comparison — 10 kg Package, NYC → Warsaw
| Carrier | Price | Time |
|---|---|---|
| USPS Priority Mail International | $110-140 | 6-10 days |
| UPS Worldwide Expedited | $150-200 | 4-6 days |
| FedEx International Economy | $160-220 | 5-7 days |
| Polish Courier | $45-65 | 2-4 weeks |
| USPS Large Flat Rate Box (up to 20 lbs) | $65 (if it fits) | 6-10 days |
Customs and Fees in Poland
Duty-Free Limit (gift)
- €45 EUR declared value — no duty or VAT
- Above: duty + VAT 23%
- Zero limit for foreign commercial purchases
What to Declare
- Actual value — if the package is lost, you will get a refund up to this value
- Undervaluation = lower compensation
Common Question: "Should I declare $0 as a gift?"
- NO, it is illegal (false customs declaration)
- Risk: if detected, the package is confiscated + fine
- Realistically: small packages ($50-100) are rarely checked
- Larger ($200+) — increasingly scanned
What Can Be Sent
No Issues
- Clothing, books, toys
- Electronic equipment (phones, laptops — often need to be declared, VAT charged on value)
- Non-alcoholic cosmetics
- Dried foods (coffee, chocolate, cookies, pasta)
- Books, magazines
- Polish favorites (gingerbread, poppy seed cake — YES, CAN SEND)
With Restrictions
- Alcohol — USPS prohibits. UPS/FedEx allows (customs complications)
- Prescription medications — original packaging + prescription required
- Vitamins / OTC — limit (~3 months supply)
- Fresh fruits / meat — PROHIBITED (FDA + EU agricultural)
- Fresh milk, cheese, eggs — PROHIBITED
Complete Prohibition
- Weapons, ammunition, explosives
- Drugs, marijuana (even if legal in the state)
- Cash over $10,000 (must be declared)
- Fresh fruits, meat, fish
- Some seeds, plants
- Pollen, honey (various rules depending on the country)
- Large gold/silver items (declaration)
- Narcotic prescription medications
How to Pack
Box
- Sturdy cardboard — double layer is ideal
- USPS provides free Priority Mail boxes
- UPS/FedEx Store has boxes for purchase ($5-15)
- Polish couriers: sometimes free box at the point
Filling
- Bubble wrap, crumpled paper
- NO Styrofoam (prohibited in some countries)
- Leave 2-3 cm space → tight closure
Labeling
- Sender + recipient address with postal code
- Recipient's phone number (key — the delivery person calls)
- Customs declaration form
- "FRAGILE" stickers if fragile
Customs Declaration
CN 22 (small packages <$400)
- Short label attached to the package
- Description of contents, value, country of origin
CN 23 (larger packages >$400)
- Full customs declaration
- Each item separately
- Value, country of origin
Tips
- Be specific: "men's t-shirts (3), polish cookies (5 packets)" instead of "gift"
- Enter the true value — compensation if lost
- "Gift" qualifies for the €45 limit — use if it is indeed a present
Tracking — Where to Check
- USPS: usps.com/tracking
- UPS: ups.com/tracking
- FedEx: fedex.com/tracking
- 17track.net — universal tracker
- Polish carrier: check their website
- Poczta Polska — when the package enters Poland, it goes to Poczta Polska (tracking)
Christmas Season — ATTENTION
- Ship by the end of November for arrival by Christmas Eve
- December: delays of 1-2 additional weeks
- Prices increase in December
- USPS and Polish couriers: peak, more losses
Easter / Corpus Christi
- Ship 3 weeks in advance
- Easter peak for Polish treats (mazurek, pate)
Polish Tips
Greenpoint Area
- Many Polish couriers on Manhattan Ave
- Doroteq main office
- Pick-up service
Chicago — Belmont/Milwaukee
- Polamer, EuroAmerica
- Polish staff
NJ — Linden / Garfield
- Local courier offices
- Cheaper than NYC
Common Mistakes
- Underinsurance — package worth $300 with $50 insurance = loss
- Incorrect customs declaration — held, additional fees
- Fresh products — automatic confiscation
- Poor packing — broken products
- Missing recipient phone number — Polish post will not deliver
- Late shipping in December — will arrive after the holidays
- USPS for items >$100 — UPS/FedEx better tracking + claims
- Not counting duty in the value of the gift
Useful Links
Related: [[sending-money-from-usa-to-poland]] · [[cheap-flights-usa-poland-how-to-find-2026]]
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