How long does it take to send a parcel to Poland?

Delivery times depend on the service you choose:

• International Tracked & Signed: Delivery typically within 3-5 working days
• International Tracked: Delivery typically within 3-5 working days.
• International Tracked Heavier: Delivery typically within 3-5 working days.
• International Standard: Delivery typically within 3-5 working days.
• International Economy: Delivery may take up to 15 days, making it the most budget-friendly choice.

Please note that delivery times may be affected by customs processing and public holidays in Poland.

Which items can’t be sent to Poland?

Before you send your parcel to Poland, it’s a good idea to check if it contains any banned or restricted items.

Prohibited and restricted postage items to Poland

• Alcoholic beverages
• Tobacco and tobacco products, including cigarettes, cigars, and loose tobacco
• Perishable goods: Items that can spoil during transit, such as certain foods. 
• Plants and seeds
• Weapons and ammunition, including firearms, explosives, and related items without necessary permits
• Narcotics and psychotropic substances
• Obscene or immoral materials, including items considered indecent or illegal in Poland
• Counterfeit and pirated goods
• Hazardous materials: Including explosives, flammable substances, and toxic chemicals

The following items have postage restrictions:

• Medicines: Certain medications may require special permits or documentation
• Cultural artifacts: Objects of historic value may need permits from the Polish Ministry of Culture and National Heritage
• Cash: Amounts exceeding €10,000 must be declared

Please note that this list is not exhaustive. Regulations can change, so it's advisable to consult with your chosen courier service and refer to official resources like the Polish customs website before sending your parcel, as well as checking Royal Mail guidelines.

Postage customs declarations and requirements for Poland

As Poland is still in the EU, customs rules applied to goods imported into Poland are the same as for other EU nations.

• Post and parcels from the UK entering Poland are treated as non-EU items and are subject to applicable customs duties, as well as VAT charged at 23%  
• However, certain goods are covered by special VAT provisions and are charged a reduced VAT rate, including some medicines, books and journals

Additional details about Poland's customs tariffs for personal and business mail are available on the EU’s TARIC website. 

Please note: Poczta will charge the recipient a PLN 8.50 handling fee for all inward IOSS items.

If you use our Click & Drop service, we’ll make the postage to Poland mailing process as easy for you as possible, as we’ll generate all the customs form information for you.

It’s super simple - you provide us with the information as you move through the stages of buying this service online, and then when we provide your label or QR code, the customs documentation is automatically provided with it.

To help facilitate customs clearance, it is always recommended that you provide the recipient’s contact details (email address and/or phone number) so that recipients are contactable if any information is missing or incorrect.

Contact details should be provided within the electronic customs data. To ensure this information is protected do not write these contact details separately on the outside of the parcel. 

How to address mail and parcels to Poland

Polish postcodes are five digits, and should be written to the left of the city/locality name, with a dash between the second and third digits.

An example of correct and complete Poland address is given below:

Mme Zuzanna Nowak 

Ul. Bosmanska 17

28-567 WARSZAWA 

POLAND

Packaging and size guidelines for sending parcels to Poland

To ensure seamless delivery, your parcel must meet Royal Mail’s packaging guidelines:

• Letters: Max weight 100g, dimensions 24cm x 16.5cm x 0.5cm
• Large Letters: Max weight 750g, dimensions 35.3cm x 25cm x 2.5cm
• Parcels: Max weight 2kg, total dimensions no greater than 90cm, with no single side longer than 60cm

Use strong, protective packaging to prevent damage in transit.

Polish public holidays that may cause postal delays

Public holidays in Poland may impact delivery times. Key holidays include:

Poland observes several public holidays throughout the year, reflecting its rich cultural and religious heritage. Here are some of the main public holidays:

• New Year's Day: January 1st
• Easter Sunday: Mid April
• Easter Monday: The day after Easter Sunday
• Labour Day: May 1st
• Constitution Day: May 3rd
• All Saints' Day: November 1st
• Independence Day: November 11th
• Christmas Eve: December 24th
• Christmas Day: December 25th

Additionally, starting from 2025, Christmas Eve (December 24th) will be a permanent official day off from work for all employees.

Final tips for sending a parcel to Poland

• Check our list of prohibited and restricted items to avoid customs issues
• Ensure you have completed the required customs data and affixed the customs declaration as required
• Ensure your package is properly labeled
• Choose the right Royal Mail service based on speed and cost
• Track your parcel if you’re sending important or valuable items

Christmas posting using international services

As we approach the busiest time of year, international delivery services experience much higher volumes of parcels and letters. To help ensure your items arrive in time for Christmas, we strongly recommend posting as early as possible.

International delivery aims

You can find a list of our published delivery aims in our Country Guides.