Poland has become one of the UK's most important trading partners, with a diverse range of exports including furniture, automotive parts, food products, electronics, and machinery regularly moving to British shores. As a manufacturing powerhouse with competitive production costs, Poland offers UK businesses access to high-quality goods at attractive prices.
At Tankel Logistics, we specialize in road freight from Poland to the UK, with both groupage (LTL) and full truckload (FTL) services. Our own fleet and warehouses in both countries ensure reliable and timely delivery from Polish manufacturers to UK businesses, with your cargo visible in our client portal along the way.
Our services cover all major UK commercial centers including London, Birmingham, Manchester, Liverpool, Leeds, Bristol, Nottingham, Peterborough, Cambridge, Northampton, Newcastle upon Tyne, Glasgow, and Edinburgh. This extensive coverage ensures Polish exporters can reach customers throughout the entire United Kingdom with our reliable 5-day service.
Benefits of importing from Poland
- Manufacturing excellence: Polish manufacturing has developed rapidly in recent decades, with particular strengths in furniture, automotive components, food processing, and electronics.
- Strategic EU location: Poland's position within the EU and its strong connections to both Western and Eastern European markets make it an excellent sourcing location.
- Established UK trade relationship: The UK-Poland trading relationship is well-established, with a significant Polish community in the UK further strengthening business connections.
- Logistics development: Major investment in Poland's transportation infrastructure has created efficient export capabilities, with excellent connections to the UK.
Import service options
At Tankel Logistics, we provide tailored groupage (LTL) and full truckload (FTL) transport solutions to meet your shipping needs:
- Groupage freight (LTL): Cost-efficient shipping for smaller loads, consolidating multiple shipments into one truck.
- Full truckload freight (FTL): Dedicated trucks for large shipments, delivered directly from Poland to the UK without intermediate handling.
- Warehousing and storage: Secure storage, cross-docking, and inventory management in our Polish (with customs warehouse capabilities), UK, and Dutch warehouses.
- Customs clearance assistance: Full import declarations, VAT processing, and transit documentation to ensure compliance.
Taxes and duties
Importing goods from Poland to the UK requires compliance with UK customs and VAT regulations:
- VAT and duties: The UK applies 20% VAT on most imported goods, with reduced rates for certain products like food and medical supplies.
- HS code classification: Goods must be classified using Harmonized System (HS) codes to determine applicable tariffs and tax rates.
- EORI number: UK importers must have an Economic Operator Registration and Identification (EORI) number for customs processing.
- Postponed VAT accounting (PVA): UK businesses can use PVA to defer VAT payments, improving cash flow.
Our customs team provides guidance on product classification and required documentation to ensure smooth clearance and avoid unexpected charges.
Step-by-step import guide to the UK
- Prepare your goods: Ensure proper packaging and labeling according to UK standards.
- Classify goods correctly: Use the correct HS code to determine duties and VAT.
- Obtain an EORI number: Required for customs processing in the UK.
- Prepare import documents: Submit an invoice, packing list, and any required certifications. This can be done by Tankel Logistics team if you don’t have the knowledge in-house.
- Transport: Groupage shipments are collected and consolidated at our Polish warehouse. Full truckloads travel directly from your supplier to the UK.
- Border crossing: Your shipment crosses the EU border with all required documentation.
- UK entry: Goods clear UK customs with our support. Groupage shipments continue via our UK warehouse.
- Final delivery: We deliver to your customer’s door, in 5 days for groupage and 2–3 days for full truckloads.
Why choose Tankel Logistics?
- Specialized Poland-UK experience: We focus on this key trade route with extensive knowledge of both markets.
- 5-day delivery commitment: Our groupage service delivery is faster than industry average.
- Complete control: Our own fleet and warehouses in both Poland and the UK ensure reliable service.
- Customs expertise: Comprehensive support with both Polish export and UK import formalities.
- Real-time tracking: Monitor your shipment throughout its journey via our client portal, with live GPS tracking.
- Polish-speaking staff: Clear communication with both Polish exporters and UK importers.
- Customs warehouse: Our Łódź facility has customs capabilities for simplified transit procedures.
- Flexible options: Services tailored to businesses of all sizes, from small exporters to large manufacturers.
