Ship Car To Warsaw

Warsaw is the capital of Poland and the largest city. With the backdrop of Carpathian Mountains, just 190 miles away, it is situated on the banks of Vistula River that drains into the Baltic Sea. The city is the hub of trade, economy, business and culture and that is why there is a host of expatriates here on study or work visas.

It is extremely convenient to have your own vehicle imported to Warsaw from USA for faster commuting and staying independent. However, as with any auto shipment, you will be required to file in paperwork, adhere to regulations and pay the requisite fees. When shipping your vehicle, you need to consider the weather conditions in Poland. The winters are harsh and cold while the summers are comparatively mild and a better time to ship.

Shipping methods

There are only two ways of freight shipping- Roll-on/Roll-Off (RORO) and Container shipping. Both of these methods are safe and commonly used ways for cargo shipping. However, container shipping is more expensive as your vehicle is secured and sealed within 20 feet or 40 feet shipping container. You are allowed to keep your personal belongings within the container.

RORO is the cheapest way to ship your vehicle to Warsaw. The vehicle is secured on the open deck and to avoid theft and pilferage, you are not allowed to keep any personal items. It is best to steam clean the vehicle before shipping and ensure that car jack, floor mats and spare keys are left within the vehicle. 

Documentation for auto shipping

When you are shipping internationally to Poland, there is a host of documentation which has to be submitted and verified for the vehicle to legally enter Warsaw. Some of the essential documents include:

• Clear title deed
• Bill of Lading
• Purchase invoice with details of the vehicle
• Owner’s passport and driving license
• Resident or work permit

Your vehicle will be shipped to Gdynia, the Polish port and then driven to Warsaw which is about 200 miles away. Poland is part of European Union and has the same assessment of levies and taxes. Diplomats and returning citizens that are permanently coming back to Warsaw qualify for tax exemptions and duty-free import as the vehicle is considered as part of the household goods. To get an idea of the import duty on standard vehicles, it is 10% with VAT of about 23%. There is a Border tax which varies as per the engine capacity.

Additional considerations in Poland

Additionally, it is important that you submit the documents and inform the Customs department about the ‘Import Declaration’ that you own the vehicle for over 6 months in US before importing it to Warsaw. You can contact the Polish Customs department and get more information on the eligibility, limitations and other current regulations governing the auto imports.