Trade relations between China and Poland have developed rapidly in recent years. Poland is China’s largest trading partner in Central and Eastern Europe and an important gateway for China to enter the European market. This article will introduce the situation of shipping from China to Poland in detail.
Introduction to Poland
Poland is located in central Europe, bordering Germany to the west. It is an important hub connecting Western Europe and Eastern Europe. China and Poland maintain stable trade relations. China is an important source of imports for Poland. The main commodities exported by China to Poland include electronic products, machinery and equipment, furniture and household goods.
In addition, the opening of the China-Europe Express under the “Belt and Road” initiative has greatly improved the logistics efficiency between the two countries and promoted the growth of bilateral trade.
Major airports and ports in Poland
Poland has several trade airports and ports and is an important hub for international trade. Mainly including:
- Gdansk: As the largest seaport in Poland, Gdansk excels in handling heavy loads and large quantities of cargo. It is the main entry point for goods from Asia and can easily handle large quantities of cargo.
- Gdynia: Gdynia is known for its modern infrastructure and operational efficiency, supporting a wide range of shipping needs, including ro-ro and container traffic.
- Szczecin: Szczecin’s proximity to Western Europe makes it an ideal location for cargo distribution, especially for bulk and general cargo.
- Warsaw Chopin Airport (WAW): As Poland’s largest and busiest airport, it handles a large volume of international cargo and is an important gateway for air freight.
- Katowice International Airport (KTW): Known for its strong cargo facilities, it is a key logistics hub in Poland’s industrial heartland.
- Gdansk Lech Walesa Airport (GDN): The airport’s proximity to major seaports makes it an ideal choice for multimodal solutions.
How to Ship from China to Poland
There are three main modes of transport from China to Poland: sea freight ,air freight and rail freight, each with its own characteristics
- Choose sea if you are cost-sensitive and do not need goods urgently
- Choose rail if you have certain requirements for timeliness and hope to save costs
- Choose air if you have high requirements for timeliness
Sea Freight
Sea Freight is the most common mode of transport, suitable for large-volume cargo transportation, with low costs. There are two main types of sea transport services: FCL and LCL
- Full container load (FCL): can fill an entire container, reducing handling and potential damage.
- Less than container load (LCL): For small cargo that does not need to fill a full container, the cargo will be combined with other cargo to share the container cost.
Air Freight
Air Freight is the fastest and most efficient mode of transport, suitable for high-value and time-sensitive cargo, can be flexibly scheduled according to flights, can minimize the risk of delays, and involves fewer contact points with high security.
Rail Freight
Rail Freight is mainly completed by the China-Europe Railway, which is between sea and air transportation. It has low carbon emissions and high environmental protection. It is suitable for goods with low costs and high timeliness requirements. It is very suitable for regular and predictable delivery plans.
Shipping Cost from China to Poland
Transportation costs are the most concerned issue for everyone who wants to transport. The cost of transportation from China to Poland mainly varies according to the mode of transportation. The following is the composition of the cost:
- Basic freight: core cost calculated by mode of transportation and distance.
- Additional costs: fuel surcharge (BAF/FAF), currency depreciation fee (CAF), peak season surcharge (PSS), etc.
- Operational costs: loading and unloading fees, warehousing fees, document processing fees, customs agency fees.
- Insurance costs: cargo insurance (the recommended insurance amount is 110% of the value of the goods).
- Tariffs and taxes: EU import tariffs (0%-17%), Polish VAT (23%), special commodity consumption tax.
Sea Freight Cost from China to Poland
There are two main types of shipping services. FCL charges are based on the size of the container, mainly 20ft and 40ft containers. LCL charges are calculated based on the volume of the cargo (CBM, cubic meters). The following is the cost range of shipping:
| POL (port of loading) | POD (port of discharge) | LCL shipping cost | 20ft container cost | 40ft container cost |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Shanghai | Gdansk | $85-$160 | $2050-$3050 | $3000-$4900 |
| Shenzhen | Gdansk | $80-$155 | $1900-$2900 | $3050-$4850 |
| Qingdao | Gdansk | $90-$140 | $1950-$2950 | $3050-$4750 |
| Ningbo | Gdansk | $85-$150 | $2000-$3000 | $3150-$4850 |
| Shanghai | Gdynia | $85-$160 | $1950-$2850 | $3050-$4700 |
| Shenzhen | Gdynia | $80-$155 | $1800-$2800 | $3100-$4800 |
| Qingdao | Gdynia | $90-$165 | $2050-$2950 | $3050-$4750 |
| Ningbo | Gdynia | $85-$145 | $2000-$2950 | $2950-$4850 |
| Shanghai | Szczecin | $80-$150 | $1850-$2750 | $3150-$4750 |
| Shenzhen | Szczecin | $85-$160 | $1950-$2850 | $3000-$4900 |
| Qingdao | Szczecin | $70-$145 | $2000-$3000 | $3100-$4800 |
| Ningbo | Szczecin | $95-$165 | $1950-$2900 | $3050-$4950 |
Air Freight Cost from China to Poland
Suitable for urgent or high-value goods, expensive but fast. The billing method is to take the larger value of the actual weight (kg) and the volume weight (V/W). Volume weight (V/W) calculation method:
Volume (cm³) ÷ 6000 = Volume weight (kg). The following is the cost range of air transportation:
| Departure Airport (China) | Arrival Airport (Poland) | Cost Range (USD/kg) |
| Shanghai Pudong | Warsaw Chopin | $6.0 – $10.0 |
| Guangzhou Baiyun | Warsaw Chopin | $5.0 – $9.8 |
| Beijing Capital | Warsaw Chopin | $5.5 – $8.8 |
| Shanghai Pudong | Katowice | $5.5 – $9.0 |
| Guangzhou Baiyun | Katowice | $5.0 – $9.5 |
| Beijing Capital | Katowice | $5.5 – $8.8 |
| Shanghai Pudong | Krakow | $6.0 – $9.5 |
| Guangzhou Baiyun | Krakow | $6.0 – $10.8 |
| Beijing Capital | Krakow | $5.0 – $9.0 |
Rail Freight Cost from China to Poland
Suitable for goods that have high requirements for timeliness but are unwilling to pay high air freight fees. The charges are mainly based on the size of the container. The following are the fee ranges
| Departure City(China) | Arrival City(Poland) | LCL Shipping Cost | FCL Shipping Cost |
|---|---|---|---|
| Chengdu | Małaszewicze | $150 – $220 / CBM | $5000-$7500 /40HQ |
| Chongqing | Małaszewicze | $150 – $220 / CBM | $5100-$7400 /40HQ |
| Xi’an | Małaszewicze | $170 – $215 / CBM | $5200-$7450 /40HQ |
| Chengdu | Warsaw | $150 – $220 / CBM | $5200-$7350 /40HQ |
| Chongqing | Warsaw | $170 – $230 / CBM | $5150-$7580 /40HQ |
| Xi’an | Warsaw | $160 – $225 / CBM | $5200-$7500 /40HQ |
Refer to the following shipping costs from China to other countries:
How Much Does it Cost to Ship from China to Germany?
How Much Does it Cost to Ship from China to France?
How Much Does it Cost to Ship from China to Denmark?
Shipping Time from China to Poland
Shipping time from China to Poland varies depending on the mode of transport. LCL requires more processing time than FCL. It is also affected by the following factors:
- Choose direct flights (reduce transit)
- Book space in advance (easy to be out of space during peak season)
- Avoid holidays (such as Spring Festival, Christmas), peak season (September-December) space is tight (may be delayed by 1-2 weeks)
- Port congestion (Poland Gdansk Port may be backlogged during peak period)
- Customs inspection (random inspection, delay of 1-2 weeks)
- Weather factors (typhoons and storms affect flight schedules)
- Efficiency of customs clearance at railway ports (such as Erenhot and Malaszewicze)
- Scheduling issues of European railway network (especially in winter)
| Mode of transport | Transport time | Main routes |
|---|---|---|
| Sea freight (FCL) | 30-40 days | Shanghai/Ningbo/Shenzhen → Gdansk/Gdynia |
| Sea freight (LCL) | 35-45 days | Shanghai/Ningbo/Shenzhen → Gdansk/Gdynia |
| Railway (FCL) | 12-18 days | Chengdu/Chongqing/Yiwu → Warsaw/Lodz |
| Railway (LCL) | 15-20 days | Chengdu/Chongqing/Yiwu → Warsaw/Lodz |
| Air freight | 3-7 days | Shanghai/Guangzhou → Warsaw |
Refer to the time efficiency of transportation from China to surrounding areas:
How Long Does it Take to Ship from China to Germany?
How Long Does it Take to Ship from China to Denmark
How Long Does it Take to Ship from China to France
Door-to-door Shipping from China to Poland
Door-to-door transportation refers to the direct transportation of goods from the place of shipment in China (such as factories, warehouses) to the designated address in Poland (such as companies, warehouses, residences). The entire process is arranged by the logistics company, usually including pickup, transportation, customs clearance and delivery, and the cargo owner does not need to worry about the intermediate links.
Door-to-door transportation generally has two modes: DDP (Delivered Duty Paid, tax paid) and DDU (Delivered Duty Unpaid, tax unpaid):
- DDP: The logistics company is responsible for customs clearance and payment of import taxes and fees, and the recipient does not need to pay additional tariffs.
- DDU: The recipient needs to pay the import tariff and value-added tax by himself, and the customs clearance fee is lower.
Door-to-Door Benefits
- Convenience: Eliminate the need for multiple intermediaries and complex coordination, saving you time and effort.
- Cost Predictability: Receive an all-inclusive quote covering all duties, taxes and fees, allowing for accurate cost planning and budgeting.
- Reduce Risk: Minimize the risk of damage or loss, ensuring your shipment arrives intact.
- Time Efficiency: Provide fast delivery for time-sensitive shipments, helping you meet tight deadlines and maintain business continuity.
- Full Support: Door-to-Door services provide end-to-end support, including documentation, customs clearance and final delivery, ensuring a seamless shipping experience.
How to Choose the Right Freight Forwarder
Choosing a reliable freight forwarder is crucial to the timeliness, cost and security of cargo transportation. Here are the key factors to choose Ubest Shipping:
Confirm the qualifications of the freight forwarder
Experienced freight forwarders usually provide better transportation solutions and can cope with unexpected situations.
Tailor-made solutions
We provide customized door-to-door service options, including DDU, DDP, LCL, FCL and air freight services to meet your specific transportation needs.
Competitive prices
We maintain good relationships with major carriers, and our efficient logistics processes enable us to offer competitive prices while ensuring high-quality services.
Expert handling
Our experienced team manages every aspect of your cargo, from pickup and transportation to customs clearance and final delivery, ensuring your transportation process is smooth and worry-free.
Cargo tracking and customer service
Provide online real-time tracking, such as GPS tracking, online logistics management system (TMS), etc. The freight forwarder should be able to respond promptly at critical moments.
Comprehensive Support
We provide end-to-end support including documentation, insurance and warehouse solutions to ensure your shipment is well protected and reaches its destination on time.
Customer Satisfaction
Our commitment to excellence is reflected in our customers’ satisfaction. We strive to exceed your expectations by providing reliable and efficient shipping solutions.
Customs Clearance Documents for Shipping from China to Poland
After the goods arrive in Poland, they need to be declared to the Polish customs and provide relevant import documents. Common transport documents include:
- Commercial invoice
- Packing list
- Bill of lading
- Export license (if applicable)
- Certificate of origin
- Insurance policy (if insured)
There are many modes of transportation available for transporting goods from China to Poland, including sea, rail, air, etc. Poland is a logistics hub in Europe with great market potential. Enterprises should make full use of the efficient logistics network to ensure that the goods arrive at the destination smoothly.