Shipping from the UK to Poland: the fastest growing EU ecommerce market

Poland is the EU's fastest growing ecommerce market and one of the most significant opportunities for UK sellers willing to navigate the post-Brexit customs process. Polish consumers are increasingly buying from international sellers, English is widely spoken among younger demographics, and demand for British products — particularly fashion, beauty, and homeware — is strong.

Here's what your Polish customers will actually pay when your parcel arrives.

Poland's VAT rate

Poland's standard VAT rate is 23% — one of the highest in the EU alongside Ireland and Denmark. Applied to the CIF value of your shipment, this is a significant charge for Polish customers receiving UK parcels.

For a £150 product with £13 shipping and 0% duty, your Polish customer faces a VAT bill of around £38 on delivery. At 23%, the VAT bill on higher value orders can be substantial.

Import duty

Under the UK-EU TCA, most UK-made goods attract 0% duty when exported to Poland. Standard consumer goods, clothing, homeware, and handmade products typically qualify. Check your commodity code for your specific product category.

Polish ecommerce growth — the opportunity

Poland's ecommerce market grew by over 25% in the past two years and is still accelerating. Polish consumers are comfortable buying online from international sellers and are increasingly looking beyond domestic options. For UK sellers, Poland represents a genuinely underserved opportunity — most UK small businesses aren't shipping there yet, which means less competition for Polish customer attention.

The catch is that 23% VAT is a meaningful additional cost for Polish customers, and Polish average incomes are lower than western European counterparts. Transparency about landed costs is especially important — a Polish customer who knows upfront what they'll pay is far more likely to proceed than one surprised at the door.

Delivery times to Poland

Poland is further from the UK than western European destinations, and parcels typically take 5–8 working days via standard courier services. Express services are available but significantly more expensive. Factor realistic delivery times into your customer communications.

The €150 threshold

As with all EU countries, orders under €150 have VAT typically handled at checkout. Above €150, Polish customs assess VAT and potentially duty on arrival.

A real example

A UK beauty brand ships a skincare set worth £120 and a gift set worth £55 to a customer in Warsaw. Total order: £175.

What to do

Poland's high VAT rate and the importance of price transparency to Polish consumers makes landed cost calculation especially valuable here. Use ClearShip to calculate the full landed cost before shipping, then communicate it clearly to your Polish customers. The sellers who do this consistently will build a loyal Polish customer base that competitors who don't bother are leaving on the table.