Moving Belongings from Poland to the USA: Customs, Regulations, Transport, and Costs

Moving from Poland to the United States involves not only a visa and a plane ticket but also the question of what to do with your belongings: furniture, books, clothing, tools, or family heirlooms. Just as Poland exempts the relocation goods of people returning to the country from customs duties, the USA also allows individuals moving to live permanently to bring used personal items and household goods duty-free. However, certain conditions must be met, appropriate forms must be filled out, and it is important to remember that many items, especially food, plants, medications, weapons, or certain antiques, cannot be transported or can only be brought under special regulations.

This guide explains who can bring items to the USA duty-free, the conditions that apply, how to fill out CBP Form 3299, what is allowed and what is not, the available transport methods, from suitcases and packages to containers, how much it may cost, and how to organize the move step by step. Regulations, fees, and carrier prices often change, so we provide sources and dates for each amount, and items that could not be confirmed are clearly marked. If you are moving in the opposite direction, check out the guide on relocation goods when returning to Poland.

Is There "Relocation Goods" in the USA?

Yes, although Americans do not refer to it that way. In U.S. customs regulations, there is no single term that corresponds to the Polish "relocation goods." Instead, there are separate duty exemptions for several categories of items: for household effects (household effects), for personal effects (personal effects), and for tools of trade. Each category has its own conditions, its own position in the tariff schedule, and its own section on the form.

The most important point: U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP) does not ask how long you lived in Poland. It asks how long you have used a given item. This is the opposite logic from returning to Poland, where the primary consideration is 12 months of residence outside the EU. In the USA, a sofa from an apartment in Warsaw's Mokotów can enter duty-free if it has been in your home for at least a year. A new sofa purchased a week before departure–likely not.

Household Goods: The One-Year Rule

The basis is the regulation 19 CFR 148.52 (tariff item 9804.00.05). You can bring in furniture, household goods, and similar items duty-free and tax-free if they have been actually used abroad for at least one year. There are four conditions:

• you or your family used the items in a household of which you were a member for at least a year during that usage (the regulation explicitly allows family items, even if they were not formally your property),
• they are not intended for another person,
• they are not intended for sale,
• you must demonstrate the one-year usage convincingly to the customs office at the port. The basis is the declaration on Form 3299, but the office may request additional evidence.

This year does not have to be continuous and does not have to fall directly before the move. A wardrobe from your grandmother's house that has been in the family home in Rzeszów for decades meets the condition if you lived in that house for at least a year while it was there. Keep receipts, photos of the apartment with furniture, or documents from the old address just in case.

The regulation also has a time frame. Equipment that arrives in the USA more than 10 years after your last arrival from the country where you used it generally loses its exemption. An exception is if you can demonstrate that the items were held for reasons beyond your control. After 25 years, the exemption is no longer available. Therefore, you do not have to send the container on the day of your departure.

Personal Effects: Different Rules for Immigrants and Residents

CBP clearly distinguishes personal effects from household goods. On its pages for travelers, it lists personal effects as clothing, jewelry, photographic equipment, electronics, and vehicles. These items cannot enter duty-free as "household goods," even if you have used them for years. They have their own exemptions, which depend on who you are at the time of arrival.

A person who is just arriving in the USA permanently is considered a non-resident by customs. On CBP Form 3299, they check the box "Nonresident: emigrating to the U.S." For them, regulation 19 CFR 148.42 provides an exemption for clothing, personal ornaments, toiletries, and similar personal items. This applies to every non-resident regardless of their age, including children. The condition is that they must have been your property and in your possession abroad at the latest at the time of departure, and you are bringing them solely for your own use. The regulation gives examples of "similar" items: fishing and hunting gear, a wheelchair, and even a dog.

A U.S. resident returning from Poland (an American citizen or Green Card holder after a longer stay in the country) benefits from a different exemption: personal effects taken earlier from the USA return duty-free, and items purchased abroad may fit within the personal exemption limit. CBP states that duty on personal effects older than a year is "usually" waived.

Who Can Benefit from Exemptions

Who You Are	Household Goods	Personal Effects	Tools of Trade
Immigrant (immigrant visa, Green Card)	duty-free if used for at least a year	duty-free if your own and in your possession before departure	duty-free if owned and used abroad
U.S. resident returning from Poland	duty-free if used for at least a year	duty-free if taken earlier from the USA, the rest within the personal exemption limit	duty-free if taken from the USA
Person on a work visa (non-resident)	regulation 148.52 covers both residents and non-residents	exemption for non-residents	depends on qualifications – ask the customs agency

With work visas, there is one unknown. Form 3299 requires a non-resident to choose between "emigrating" and "visiting." It has not been confirmed in CBP sources which box a person on an H-1B or L-1 visa should check when coming for several years. Clarify this with the customs agency before shipping.

Tools of trade are regulated by 19 CFR 148.53 (tariff item 9804.00.15). An immigrant can bring in duty-free professional books, instruments, and tools that they owned and used abroad. However, the regulation excludes decorations and theatrical costumes, production facility equipment, and items for another person or for sale.

What the Exemption Does Not Cover

• Items for sale or for someone else. Ten identical sets of bedding in plastic look like commercial goods, not personal belongings.
• Equipment used for less than a year. You can bring it, but you must list it separately on the form (section "Foreign household effects acquired abroad and used less than one year") and be prepared to pay duty.
• Vehicles. CBP states briefly: all vehicles are subject to duty. Details are in the section on cars.
• Alcohol and tobacco over the limits. The form has a separate section for alcohol and tobacco products in Part IV, and in point D, you must describe them and provide their value.
• Weapons and ammunition, food, plants, seeds, animals, and products from wild animals. These items are not automatically prohibited, but the form requires them to be marked and listed separately, as they are subject to the regulations of other agencies.

Accompanied and Unaccompanied Baggage

What you have with you on the plane is declared like any traveler, on the CBP 6059B declaration. A container, pallet, or packages sent separately are considered unaccompanied baggage (unaccompanied). For this, regulation 19 CFR 148.6 requires a written declaration on CBP Form 3299, Declaration for Free Entry of Unaccompanied Articles, or its electronic equivalent. The current version of the form is marked 05/24 and has OMB number 1651-0014. The form has a printed expiration date of February 28, 2026, but this date is already outdated. In November 2025, CBP announced in the Federal Register an extension of the form, and on June 4, 2026, the federal OMB approved its continued use until June 30, 2028. As of November 2026, the version 05/24 was still available on cbp.gov. Before shipping, check if a newer version has been released.

If you cannot present the declaration at the time of clearance, regulation 148.52 allows you to submit a bond on CBP Form 301 and provide the declaration within 6 months. Even if the office determines that a formal customs entry is not necessary, it will still require proof of ownership along with the declaration, such as a carrier's certificate or a properly certified bill of lading.

When Items Can Arrive

Formally, your belongings can arrive long after you do, even several years later, within the described 10-year limit. It is worse if the container arrives before you. On Form 3299, you enter the date and port of your arrival, and moving companies' instructions warn that the declaration is not valid until you enter the USA. Therefore, plan your departure so that you land before or around the same time as the container.

Do not leave the shipment unattended. Items for which the due duty has not been paid, and baggage that has not been picked up "in a reasonable time," will be placed according to 19 CFR 148.7 into a general order warehouse. The regulation does not specify what this time is.

Form 3299 Step by Step

The form has several parts. In Part I, you enter your details, the date and port of arrival, your address in the USA, household members, and shipment details: carrier, bill of lading number, number and markings of packages. In Part II, you provide the country and length of stay abroad, status (returning resident or non-resident emigrating or visiting), and check statements, e.g., that the equipment has been used for at least a year. In Part IV, you check "special" items: weapons, alcohol and tobacco, food, plants, animal products, items for sale, and equipment used for less than a year, and in point D, you describe them with their value. In Part VI, the owner or authorized representative signs. CBP estimates the time to complete it at about 45 minutes and reminds that false declarations carry penalties.

Supplementary Declaration and Inventory

Some freight forwarders and customs agencies also request the old form "Supplemental Declaration for Unaccompanied Personal and Household Effects" with questions including citizenship, passport, SSN or Alien Number, addresses, reason for moving, employer, and shipment route. Circulating templates have the header of the former U.S. Customs Service, i.e., before the establishment of CBP. One carrier's instructions require it to be submitted together with Form 3299, and an industry guide from the moving association IAM (2026) states that it is required by most ports in Hawaii. It has not been confirmed that CBP currently requires it as a separate form–only Form 3299 is available on cbp.gov. If the freight forwarder requests it, fill it out.

Form 3299 also requires you to include a packing list. A description like "household goods, 120 cartons" is insufficient. A good inventory looks like this:

• each carton has a number, and the inventory lists its contents in English (e.g., "Box 14 – kitchen: pots, pans, cutlery"),
• items used for less than a year are on a separate list with price and purchase date,
• alcohol is listed bottle by bottle: type, volume, proof, value,
• items requiring attention from other agencies (medications, weapons, products made of wood and straw, antiques) are clearly marked.

Who Must Be Present and Why the Customs Agency

The declaration is signed by the importer, i.e., you, or an authorized representative. The form defines them as a person who knows the facts and has the authority to submit the declaration (referring to 19 CFR 141.19, 141.32, and 141.33). Therefore, you do not have to be physically present at the port, but someone with authority must represent you. CBP notes on its vehicle import page that its officers cannot act as your agent. However, you can hire a licensed customs broker. The broker will ask you for a power of attorney.

What You Can and Cannot Bring

Duty-free entry of furniture is one thing. Another is the sanitary, veterinary, safety, and heritage protection regulations that operate independently of customs duties. Kabanosy are exempt from customs duties as personal items just like socks, yet an agricultural inspector may still confiscate them.

Food: Report First, Then Discuss

The first rule is simple: all agricultural and animal products must be reported. The Department of Agriculture (USDA APHIS) emphasizes that those who report everything will not be penalized, even if the inspector does not allow a particular product. Failure to report prohibited products can result in a civil penalty of up to 1,000 USD for the first violation for non-commercial quantities (CBP's agricultural products page, as of June 2026). On another CBP page, updated in March 2025, the amounts are stated as 300 USD for the first and 500 USD for the second violation.

Meat and Processed Meats. As a rule, USDA does not allow the entry of beef, pork, lamb, and goat meat from countries where foot-and-mouth disease, African swine fever (ASF), classical swine fever, or swine vesicular disease occurs. ASF is still present in Poland, and the areas subject to restrictions change with regulations from the European Commission; for example, in June 2026, CBP states outright that fresh, dried, or canned meat cannot be brought in from most countries, and dishes prepared with meat are also usually not allowed. In practice, this means: sausage, kabanosy, ham, pâté, a jar of bigos, and meat pierogi stay in Poland. APHIS describes an exception for commercially packaged, vacuum-sealed boneless meat that does not require refrigeration, but it has not been confirmed whether this includes pork from ASF countries. Do not count on it.

Poultry. Commercially packaged, cooked poultry products that do not require refrigeration, in unopened packages, are allowed even from countries with avian influenza.

Dairy Products. Butter and solid cheeses, both hard and soft, can be brought from any country as long as they do not contain meat and are not in liquid form like ricotta or cottage cheese. It has not been confirmed whether the inspector will consider Polish twaróg or bryndza acceptable. Powdered milk and modified milk for infants are allowed in small, properly labeled quantities.

Eggs. Most eggs and egg products from countries with avian influenza are not allowed. Good news for tradition: empty, clean, and dry shells that are decorated, engraved, or painted are permitted in passenger baggage, up to 12 pieces per person. Easter eggs can travel with you in your suitcase.

What Usually Passes. According to CBP, bread and pastries, some cheeses, packaged spices, vinegar, oils, honey, coffee, and tea are generally permissible. Sweets, such as krówki, are not specifically mentioned in this list by CBP, so report them along with the rest of the food.

Fruits and Vegetables. CBP advises briefly: it is best not to bring them.

Plants, Seeds, Soil, Straw Products

Every plant and plant product must be reported. CBP explicitly mentions straw crafts here, so include straw holiday decorations and wicker baskets in your declaration. Plants and plant parts intended for cultivation (seedlings, bulbs, seeds for sowing) require a foreign phytosanitary certificate, and some also require permits; some are completely prohibited. Soil is prohibited without prior USDA permission. This also applies to soil attached to items: wash gardening tools, hiking boots, bicycles, and lawnmowers before packing.

Medications

The U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) starts with the principle: in most cases, individuals are not allowed to import medications for personal use. A drug approved in another country but not approved in the U.S. is considered a "new unapproved drug" under the law, and its import is illegal. This may apply to medications you know from Polish pharmacies.

However, the FDA may turn a blind eye to small imports. For medications for serious conditions, the criteria include a supply usually not exceeding 3 months, a written statement of personal use, and the details of a licensed physician in the U.S. or proof of continuation of treatment started abroad. CBP advises non-U.S. citizens to have a prescription or certificate in English and no more than a 90-day supply. Whether this leniency applies to an immigrant who becomes a permanent resident upon entry has not been confirmed. Controlled substances are additionally subject to DEA regulations.

Before leaving, ask your doctor in Poland for a certificate in English with the name of the active substance, dosage, and diagnosis. Bring a supply for several weeks in original packaging, in your carry-on luggage, not in a container. As soon as possible, register with a doctor in the U.S. who will issue a prescription for the American equivalent.

Alcohol

An adult non-resident may bring in 1 liter of alcoholic beverages for personal use duty-free and tax-free according to 19 CFR 148.43. CBP adds that the person must be at least 21 years old, and the import must not violate the laws of the state in which you are entering. More can be brought, but the excess is subject to duties and taxes. The federal TTB agency explains that whether the import is for personal use is determined by CBP at the port of entry, and before bringing in a larger quantity, it is advisable to contact the customs department at that port in advance. According to CBP, the amount of alcohol that can be brought in is determined by the laws of the state in which you first enter. The state may limit the amount that can be brought in without a license, so check this before leaving with the state alcohol control board. Absinthe must meet U.S. standards for thujone content.

Tobacco

Regulation 19 CFR 148.43 allows an adult non-resident to bring in 200 cigarettes or 50 cigars or 2 kg of smoking tobacco (these can be combined proportionally) duty-free. A non-resident using the exemption for gifts valued up to 100 USD can include up to 100 cigars in it if they are carried on their person and intended solely for gifts. On the CBP pages for residents, a variant of "200 cigarettes and 100 cigars" appears. Sources provide different numbers depending on status, so for border quantities, ask CBP. Report any excess.

Cash Over 10,000 USD

You can bring in any amount, but any amount over 10,000 USD (or equivalent in another currency) must be reported to CBP on FinCEN Form 105. The threshold is counted collectively for a family or group traveling together, not per person. It includes cash, traveler's checks, and some other payment instruments, including those sent by mail or in shipments. You can submit the form electronically before traveling. Failure to report may result in the forfeiture of money and even civil or criminal penalties.

Also, remember the other side of the border. When leaving the EU, you must report to customs authorities if you are carrying 10,000 euros or more (or equivalent in another currency). This threshold includes not only banknotes but also, among other things, traveler's checks, coins with at least 90% gold content, and gold bars with at least 99.5% purity. The basis is Regulation (EU) 2018/1672.

Weapons and Ammunition

Weapons and ammunition must be indicated on Form 3299, and CBP reminds that travelers may need the appropriate ATF form (Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives). According to ATF instructions, known from search results, an immigrant moving from their country of permanent residence may apply for an import permit on ATF Form 6, Part I. The weapon must be for personal use and arrive with them. These rules for immigrants could not be directly confirmed on the ATF website, which blocked access. However, the regulation 27 CFR 478.120 regarding individuals on non-immigrant visas is confirmed: for the temporary import of firearms for hunting or sporting purposes, they need an approved ATF Form 6NIA and must demonstrate that they fall within the statutory exception (e.g., a U.S. hunting license) or have an exemption. Before packing, check the current rules and processing times at atf.gov. What formalities apply on the Polish side when exporting weapons outside the EU and which authority is competent could not be confirmed. Start with the police authority that issued your gun permit. Additionally, there are state laws that vary widely.

Knives

Regulation 19 CFR 12.97 considers the import of switchblade knives illegal, with narrow exceptions provided in federal law. Such knives are subject to seizure. Check other knives against state and local laws.

Antiques and Historical Items: Polish Permit First

Here the trouble begins in Poland, not in the U.S. The permanent export of an antique abroad requires a one-time permit issued by the Minister of Culture, and the application is submitted through the provincial conservator of monuments (WUOZ). A permit is only needed if the item exceeds both the age threshold and the value threshold set by Article 51, paragraph 1 of the Act on the Protection of Monuments. Example thresholds according to WUOZ in Katowice:

Type of Item	Age Over	Value Over
Paintings (excluding watercolors, gouaches, pastels, mosaics, and drawings)	50 years	40,000 PLN
Watercolors, gouaches, pastels	50 years	16,000 PLN
Mosaics and drawings	50 years	12,000 PLN
Sculptures	50 years	20,000 PLN
Photographs, films, negatives	50 years	6,000 PLN
Manuscripts	50 years	4,000 PLN
Books	100 years	6,000 PLN
Printed maps, scores	150 years	6,000 PLN
Means of transport	50 years	32,000 PLN
Other antiques (general category)	50 years	16,000 PLN
Archaeological artifacts, architectural and decorative elements	100 years	any

The export permit must be used within 12 months of issuance. Generally, it is not allowed to permanently export items registered, on the Heritage Treasures List, belonging to public collections, registered in museum inventories, and belonging to the national library resource. The application is submitted to the WUOZ competent for the location where the item is stored. According to the Ministry of Culture, it must include, among other things, two color photographs of at least 9 × 13 cm, a statement from the owner, and proof of payment of the stamp duty, which for the permanent export permit is 100 PLN (as of November 2026). The processing time for the application could not be confirmed. Ask at your WUOZ. That an item does not require a permit at all can be demonstrated, for example, by an age assessment, valuation, or invoice from a trading entity dealing in antiques. When exporting outside the EU, the EU Regulation No. 116/2009 on the export of cultural goods also applies. Confirm its rules with your WUOZ.

On the American side, CBP requests that for cultural goods, you have documents such as an export permit and invoices. Ivory products generally require a permit from the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service (FWS), and antiques made of ivory must be at least 100 years old and have documented provenance.

Animals

Dogs. As of August 1, 2024, new rules from the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) will apply. Poland is not on the CDC list of countries with a high risk of rabies in dogs (list updated April 15, 2026). A dog that has been in low-risk countries for the last 6 months must:

• be at least 6 months old on the date of entry,
• have a microchip readable by a universal reader,
• have confirmation of submission of the CDC Dog Import Form (free, separate for each dog, valid for 6 months, can be shown on a phone),
• appear healthy upon arrival.

Such a dog can enter through any port of entry. Note especially for Ukraine, Belarus, Russia, Moldova, Turkey, Georgia, Armenia, and Azerbaijan: these are on the high-risk country list. If the dog has been there in the last 6 months, much stricter requirements apply. Check them in the CDC Dog Importation Navigator tool.

Cats. According to CBP, a cat does not need proof of rabies vaccination for federal entry. However, USDA APHIS notes that destination states may have their own requirements. Check the regulations of the state you are traveling to.

Other Animals. Ferrets, rabbits, rodents, reptiles, amphibians, and birds have separate rules from USDA APHIS, and birds and exotic animals also from FWS and CDC. CBP states that pet birds undergo a 30-day quarantine at a USDA facility.

On the Polish side, a veterinarian will implant the microchip and prepare the documents. The Chief Veterinary Inspector reminds that when traveling outside the EU, the requirements of the destination country apply, and the EU pet passport is a travel document within the Union and facilitates potential return to the EU. Whether any additional Polish document is needed when flying from Poland to the U.S. could not be confirmed – ask at the county veterinary inspectorate. The airline also has its own requirements – check them before purchasing a ticket.

Cars and Motorcycles: Usually Not Worth It

This is the most common disappointment. A vehicle younger than 25 years must meet U.S. federal safety standards (FMVSS), and generally also EPA emissions standards. A car purchased in Europe usually does not meet these standards because it was produced for a different market. If there is no factory label confirming compliance with U.S. standards, it must go through:

• a registered importer with the Department of Transportation (Registered Importer), who will modify the car to meet safety standards, and you must submit a bond equal to 1.5 times the customs value,
• an independent commercial importer authorized by the EPA (Independent Commercial Importer), who will modify and test the car for emissions. The EPA holds the car until the work is completed.

CBP states outright that modification may be "impractical or even impossible." The EPA requires that the agreement with the ICI importer (or EPA approval for exemption) be in place before shipping the car.

For customs clearance, you need forms EPA 3520-1 (emissions) and DOT HS-7 (safety) as well as the original bill of lading, purchase agreement, and foreign registration document. Is the car at least 25 years old? Then according to safety regulations, it does not need to meet FMVSS. For cars at least 21 years old, the EPA requires that the engine be identical to the one originally installed.

The duty on passenger cars is 2.5% according to CBP, on motorcycles 2.4% or zero, and on trucks 25%. Additionally, there is a duty under Section 232. CBP confirms that this also applies to used cars, except for vehicles produced at least 25 years before the year of import. For cars that are products of a EU member country, CBP applied a combined rate of ordinary duty and Section 232 duty of 15% as of August 1, 2025 (CSMS message from September 24, 2025). In May 2026, the U.S. president announced plans to raise the rate on cars from the EU to 25%. Whether the 15% rate applies in November 2026 could not be confirmed. Before making a decision, check the current rate with a customs agent. The exemption for non-residents allows bringing in a car duty-free only temporarily, for one year, and a car that does not meet the standards must then be exported and cannot be sold in the U.S.

Two practical rules from CBP: do not treat the car as a container for items (everything inside must be reported, and the risk of theft is high) and wash the undercarriage, as it cannot have foreign soil on it. If the car is over 50 years old and worth more than 32,000 PLN, it may also require a Polish export permit for antiques.

Wooden Crates, Pallets, and Furniture

Wooden packaging: pallets, crates, cages, drums, and wooden dunnage in containers must meet the international standard ISPM 15. The wood must be debarked, free from pests, and subjected to heat treatment or fumigation, and the packaging must bear a mark with the IPPC logo, a two-letter country code (PL), the facility number, and treatment designation (HT or MB). Shipments with non-compliant packaging will not enter the U.S. They may be secured, the packaging destroyed under supervision, or the entire shipment returned. According to APHIS, plywood, particle board, OSB, and plastic pallets are not subject to these regulations. So, make the clock case from your grandfather out of plywood or buy a ready-made one with a certificate.

Wooden furniture itself is household equipment, not packaging, but plant products must be reported. Clean and inspect the antique dresser for any signs of insects. Include wicker, rattan, and straw decorations in the inventory.

Counterfeits and Sanctioned Goods

A counterfeit handbag or watch with a trademark of a well-known brand is a problem. CBP allows a traveler to keep one piece of each type for personal use, no more often than once every 30 days. If you sell such an item within a year, it risks confiscation or loss of value. Products made from dog and cat fur are also prohibited.

Goods from embargoed countries, such as Cuba and Iran, generally cannot enter without a license from the U.S. Office of Foreign Assets Control (OFAC). Used household equipment and personal items not intended for sale are exempt from this ban. Sanction lists change, so for items from Russia or Belarus, check the current rules on the OFAC website.

How to Transport Items from Poland to the USA

First, ask yourself: how much is there really? Two suitcases with clothes and a laptop is a completely different operation than moving a house full of furniture from grandma and a basement full of preserves. The method of transport and the price depend on the volume and how quickly the items need to arrive.

In practice, there are four ways: luggage on the plane, courier or postal packages, air freight, and sea freight (either a full container or space in a shared container). Additionally, there are moving companies that combine several of these into a single "door-to-door" service. Many families combine two methods: what is needed from day one flies in suitcases, while the rest is shipped by sea.

Customs regulations are described in another part of the guide. Here, we focus on logistics: what, for how much, and in what order.

Suitcases and Excess Baggage

This is the simplest and often the cheapest way for personal items. The items travel with you, you clear them at the airport in the USA, and you have them right away. The limitation is the number of pieces and weight.

Example: LOT. According to LOT's baggage table for long-haul flights (version of the site from July 2026 archived, the same as in April 2025), on flights from Europe to the USA and Canada, you are entitled to:

Class / LOT Fare	Checked Baggage from Europe to the USA
Economy Saver	0 pieces (baggage can be purchased)
Economy Standard, Flex, Full-Flex	1 piece up to 23 kg
Premium Economy	2 pieces of 23 kg each
Business Class	3 pieces of 32 kg each

We do not provide amounts for additional baggage and excess baggage fees, as we could not confirm them in a fixed, public price list. LOT only notes that exceeding the limit (weight, number of pieces, or dimensions) incurs an additional fee, and baggage purchased online is cheaper. Check current fees on lot.com for your route and fare before purchasing your ticket.

Other airlines (e.g., Lufthansa, United) have their own fares, so compare the ticket price along with baggage. Airlines are provided as examples, not recommendations.

When it makes sense: when moving "light" and for documents, medications, electronics, and clothes for the first weeks.

Courier and Postal Packages

Packages work well for several to a dozen boxes. Most of these services are air transport: fast, but the price increases with each kilogram.

Example from Meest Post's price list (as of November 2026, price list effective from January 19, 2026): a package from Poland to the USA, courier delivery to the door, delivery time "from 6 business days," maximum weight 25 kg. Prices when sending from a Meest point: 149 PLN (up to 1 kg), 289 PLN (5–10 kg), 489 PLN (10–15 kg), 549 PLN (15–20 kg), and 609 PLN (20–25 kg). Polamer (a Polish diaspora company with offices in Chicago, New Jersey, and Warsaw) also sends packages from Poland to the USA but prices them individually based on weight, dimensions, and contents. The maximum weight for a standard package with Polamer is 25 kg. Companies are provided as examples, not recommendations, and prices change.

Be aware of the list of prohibited items in packages. Carriers have their own restrictions. Polamer lists, among others, liquids, aerosols, perfumes, food, medications, plants, as well as devices with lithium batteries (phones, tablets, drones), which are treated as hazardous goods.

When it makes sense: for several boxes that need to arrive within a week or two.

Sea Freight: Full Container Load (FCL)

When moving an entire house, the standard is a shipping container. This is referred to as FCL (full container load) – the container is solely yours, sealed after loading, and opened only at the destination (or for customs inspection). According to technical data from Maersk, a standard 20-foot container has a capacity of about 33.2 m³ (about 1172 cubic feet), a 40-foot container about 67.7 m³ (about 2391 cubic feet), and a high 40-foot (High Cube) about 76.4 m³. iContainers indicates that a 20-foot container can hold the contents of a small apartment (about 80 m²), while a 40-foot container can hold a larger house (from about 100 m²).

When it makes sense: when you are taking furniture and many boxes and want no one else to handle your belongings.

Shared Container (LCL, Groupage)

If you have a few cubic meters of items, you only pay for the space occupied in a shared container. A company called a consolidator collects loads from multiple customers, loads them together, and at the destination port, the container is unloaded in a warehouse, and each load goes separately. iContainers provides as an example that 50 standard boxes amount to about 4.8 m³ and about 1000 kg.

Pros: lower price for small volume. Cons: longer (you have to wait for the container to be filled and for unloading), more transshipments, and if customs officials inspect the shared container, delays and some costs affect everyone whose items are in it.

Consolidators and Companies Serving the Polish Community

On the route from Poland to the USA, there are both large international consolidators and companies that have grown in the Polish community. Examples: Greencarrier Consolidators announced in April 2024 a weekly LCL connection from Gdynia to New York (in cooperation with CaroTrans US), with a transport time of about 25 days and further distribution throughout the USA. Polamer in Warsaw declares sea freight for full containers and less-than-container loads to the USA for personal belongings, as well as air freight with delivery to airports in New York, New Jersey, and Chicago, along with customs clearance on both sides. These are examples, not recommendations – check each company as we describe below.

Air Freight

Air freight is something between a package and a container: you send several boxes or a pallet as cargo. iContainers states that air transport takes about 5–10 days, while sea transport takes about 4–6 weeks. However, air cargo is priced according to the so-called chargeable weight, which is the greater of the two values: actual weight or weight based on volume. Polamer describes the same principle for packages. Light but large items (bedding, pillows, toys) are therefore expensive on the plane.

When it makes sense: when you need something quickly, and it is too much for suitcases.

"Door-to-Door" Moving Companies

The "door-to-door" service means that one company organizes everything: packing in Poland, loading, transport to the port, ship, customs clearance in the USA (usually through a cooperating customs agency), transport to your new home, and unloading. The opposite is the "port-to-port" service, where you only pay for freight between ports, and you organize the rest yourself.

The Federal Maritime Commission (FMC) of the USA points out that in international moving estimates, terminal fees at the port are often not included, which later appear as an additional cost. Therefore, with a "door-to-door" offer, you should ask what exactly is included in the "door" on the American side.

Ports and Routes

Containers from Poland mainly depart from Gdańsk and Gdynia. In August 2025, MSC expanded the Albatros service with a direct connection to the USA: according to the Trade.gov.pl portal and the Port of Gdańsk (August-September 2025), ships were to operate weekly on the route Gdańsk – Bremerhaven – New York – Charleston, with a transport time of 13 days to New York and 17 days to Charleston. Trade.gov.pl noted that cargo from Central and Eastern Europe had previously mainly gone to German ports. This connection did not last long: according to the Container News portal (April 2026), from the end of April 2026, the new route of the Albatros service includes ports in Asia and Europe, without ports in the USA. It has not been confirmed whether there is currently a direct ship from Gdańsk to New York. Containers may be shipped with transshipment at another European port, so ask the company for the route and travel time in the estimate.

On the American side, the largest port on the East Coast is the Port of New York and New Jersey. To Chicago and other Midwestern cities, the container may continue by rail. The Port of New York and New Jersey describes in its rail guide (2019) the ExpressRail system with rail connections from CSX and Norfolk Southern to Chicago, the Ohio Valley, New England, and Eastern Canada. This additional leg increases the price: according to estimates from Movehub, moving a house from Warsaw to Chicago costs significantly more than to New York (table below), and the British company Shipit explicitly states that for delivery to the Midwest and West Coast, one should expect higher transport costs in the USA.

How Long It Takes

The transport times provided by carriers refer to the journey from port to port. You also need to add travel to the port, waiting for the ship, unloading, customs clearance, and delivery to your home.

Method	Estimated Time	Source and Date
Courier Package (Air)	from 6 business days	Meest Post, 2026
Air Freight	about 5–10 days	iContainers, 2026
Container, Gdańsk – New York (the journey itself, direct MSC service)	13 days	MSC via Trade.gov.pl, 2025. According to Container News, from the end of April 2026, the service no longer calls at the USA
Shared Container (LCL), Gdynia – New York	about 25 days	Greencarrier, 2024
Overall Sea Freight	about 4–6 weeks	iContainers, 2026

Realistically, when moving by sea "door-to-door," it is worth planning from one and a half to two and a half months from the pickup of items in Poland to delivery in the USA, and longer in case of customs inspection. This is our estimate based on the above data, not a guarantee from any company.

How Much It Costs

There is no single price list for moving to the USA. The FMC emphasizes that companies usually calculate the price based on the volume or weight of the cargo and advises obtaining several written estimates based on inspections, as estimates over the phone or from an online calculator are often inaccurate. The following numbers are examples that show the order of magnitude. Prices change.

Example Prices by Method of Transport

Method	Example Price	Source, Year, and Notes
Package 20–25 kg from Poland to the USA	609 PLN	Meest Post, price list from 19.01.2026, delivery to the door
Additional suitcase on the plane	this could not be confirmed	check current fees on lot.com
Sea freight for a 40-foot container, Northern Europe – East Coast USA	average about 2854 USD (in February 2026 about 1492 USD)	Xeneta, average spot rates from 07.10.2026 and 19.02.2026. Freight only, excluding packing, customs clearance, and delivery
Sea move from Warsaw to New York, one-bedroom apartment	about 2591–2864 GBP	Movehub, estimate from a page last updated in 2020 (according to page metadata), data may be outdated
Sea move from Warsaw to New York, three-bedroom house	about 3986–4406 GBP	Movehub, ibid.
Sea move from Warsaw to Chicago, three-bedroom house	about 7043–7785 GBP	Movehub, ibid.
20-foot container, on average, to the USA	about 8300 GBP	Shipit, 2026, but from the UK, not from Poland. Shared container from about 1100 GBP
40-foot container, on average, to the USA	about 9600 GBP	Shipit, 2026, from the UK

The freight for the container itself (according to Xeneta about 2850 USD in October 2026, and about 1500 USD in February of that year, so rates can change almost twofold in a few months) is only part of the price – the rest includes packing, land transport, port fees, customs clearance, and insurance. Sources differ: British "door-to-door" prices are significantly higher than Movehub's estimates for Warsaw, which are from several years ago. An up-to-date, public price list for sea moving from Poland to the USA could not be found. Polish companies price it individually.

What Affects the Price

• Volume – in m³ or cubic feet. 1 m³ is about 35.3 cubic feet.
• Weight – important for air freight and packages.
• Destination – Chicago or Denver means an additional rail or road leg.
• Scope of service – "port to port" or "door to door".
• Packing – packing by the company costs, but affects insurance (more on this below). Wooden crates must meet the international standard ISPM 15 (wood treated with heat or fumigation and marked with the IPPC sign), and Polamer states that such wood must have markings according to this standard.
• Insurance – a percentage of the declared value.
• Fees on the US side – terminal, unloading of the shared container, delivery.
• Customs Broker – some companies include customs clearance in the price, others require you to handle it yourself. FMC advises to clarify this at the very beginning. Typical rates for customs brokers for relocation goods could not be confirmed from a reliable source; ask for them in the estimate.
• Storage and Delays – demurrage is a fee for a container staying too long in the port, detention is a fee for holding the carrier's container too long outside the port. These are charged for each day after the free period expires.
• CBP Customs Inspection – described below.

Who Pays for Customs Inspection

Regulation 19 CFR 151.6 states that the importer bears the costs of preparing the goods for customs inspection and resealing the packages (except when the inspection takes place in a public warehouse designated by the port director). When moving, you are the importer. The customs company Shapiro (article from 2013) states that this also applies to private shipments and provides estimated costs depending on the port. These amounts are from 2013 and may be higher today:

• screening (VACIS, X-ray) – from about 25 USD per m³ for a shared container to about 350 USD for a 40-foot container, plus transport to the inspection site,
• "tailgate" inspection (opening the container doors without unloading) – from about 100 USD,
• detailed inspection (intensive exam, the container is taken to the inspection station and unloaded) – from about 500 to over 1000 USD, plus waiting time, even up to a week.

Shapiro adds that for a shared container, the cost of screening is spread across the entire container. During the inspection, fees for container detention may increase. The FMC introduced rules for invoicing demurrage and detention from May 28, 2024: the carrier or terminal operator must issue an invoice within 30 days, and the charged party has at least 30 days to request a reduction, refund, or waiver of the fee. If you receive such an invoice, ask for a breakdown of days and rates.

Insurance

The FMC reminds that moving companies usually limit their liability for damage or loss of items and offer additional insurance for an extra fee. You need to read the terms and get a signed policy document. The FMC also notes that many companies do not insure items that they did not pack themselves. Example rates: the British Shipit (website status in November 2026) offers protection from 2% of the declared value (only total loss of cargo) to 4–4.5% (loss, theft, and damage), and items packed by the customer are only insured against loss, not damage. Other companies will have different rates and terms.

Example Costs (Illustrative)

This is an example showing how to calculate, not an estimate. We combine rates from different sources and years, so the actual offer may be significantly different.

A family with two children is moving from Kraków to the New York area. They are taking about 15 m³ of items (about 530 cubic feet): boxes with clothes, books, and toys, a few pieces of furniture, bicycles. Large appliances are left in Poland.

• Sea transport from Poland to New York: according to an old estimate from Movehub (2020) for a one-bedroom apartment about 2600–2900 GBP. With 15 m³, the price may be higher – it needs to be confirmed with an estimate.
• Insurance: declared value 15,000 USD, rate 2–4.5% (example from Shipit) – about 300–675 USD.
• Reserve for VACIS screening: 15 m³ × about 25 USD (Shapiro's rate from 2013) – about 375 USD (if the cargo is selected).
• Reserve for detailed inspection: about 500–1000 USD and more (Shapiro, 2013, only if it occurs).
• Items for the first weeks: two additional packages of 20–25 kg via Meest – 2 × 609 PLN, which is 1218 PLN.
• Customs agency, terminal fees, delivery from the port – according to the company's estimate, check if they are included in the price.

Conclusion: it is worth having a reserve of several hundred to over a thousand dollars for inspection and port fees.

How to Organize It Step by Step

FMC strongly advises against leaving the move until the last minute: people busy with work and family rush to hire a company and easily fall prey to dishonest movers who lure them in with cheap offers online. The following plan assumes starting three months before departure.

Schedule

1. About 3 months before departure: decide what to take, what to sell, and what to leave with family. Ask at least three companies for estimates after inspections. Check FMC licenses.
2. About 2 months before: choose a company and sign a contract with a written scope of services. Determine who will handle customs clearance in the USA. Order insurance.
3. 4–6 weeks before: pack rarely used items. Make a list of boxes and take photos. Prepare documents (list below). Buy airline tickets with appropriate baggage.
4. 1–2 weeks before: pickup of items by the company. Check and sign the inventory at loading. Keep copies of all documents, especially the bill of lading number.
5. Departure: in your luggage, carry documents, medications, laptop, clothes for a few weeks, important papers for children.
6. Upon arrival: contact with the customs agency or company, sign forms, customs clearance, possible CBP inspection, delivery to home, check the condition of items.

Selection: What Not to Bring

Every cubic meter costs, so start by asking what is easier to buy locally. The most important issue is electricity. In Poland, the voltage in the socket is 230 V at a frequency of 50 Hz, and the plugs are type C and E. In the USA, the standard is 120 V and 60 Hz, and the plugs are type A and B. This is not just a matter of an adapter.

• Voltage: a device designed for 230 V connected to 120 V will receive about half the voltage and usually will not work or will work poorly. A transformer suited to the device's power would be needed, and for a kettle or hairdryer, it is heavy and expensive.
• Frequency: a transformer changes voltage but does not change frequency. Induction motors (e.g., in older washing machines, fans, turntables) rotate at a speed dependent on the frequency of the current, so at 60 Hz instead of 50 Hz, they operate faster, and frequency-controlled clocks may run fast.
• Large appliances: American homes also have 240 V circuits (e.g., for stoves or dryers), but at 60 Hz and with different sockets, so a Polish stove or washing machine usually cannot be connected without modifications. It is generally simpler to buy them locally.
• What is usually worth taking: electronics with a switching power supply that states "100–240 V, 50/60 Hz" (most laptops, phone chargers, cameras). Then, only an adapter for the plug is needed. Check the nameplate of each device before packing it.

For furniture, a simple rule: take items with sentimental value, and for practical items, compare the cost of transport with the purchase price in the USA.

Inventory and Photos

The inventory is the basis of the entire move. It is needed by the company, the insurer, and the American customs clearance. A good inventory has:

• the number of each box and piece of furniture, corresponding to the label on the box,
• a description of the contents in English ("books", "kitchen utensils", "children’s clothing"), specific, not "various",
• an approximate value, and for more valuable items, the date and place of purchase,
• separately marked items that CBP Form 3299 requires to be declared separately: household items used for less than a year, firearms and ammunition, alcohol and tobacco products, fruits, plants, seeds, and meat, animal products, and items for sale or for others (details in the customs regulations section).

Take photos of more valuable furniture and equipment before packing, showing their condition and serial number. This will facilitate claims.

Packing

When packing on your own, use strong cardboard boxes, wrap fragile items separately in bubble wrap, and fill empty spaces so nothing shifts – this is recommended by Polamer, among others. Pack books in small boxes. Each box should have the number from the inventory and your name. Wooden crates should only be marked with ISPM 15. Plywood and OSB board are not subject to these regulations.

Remember about insurance: if you pack yourself, many companies will only insure such boxes for total loss, not for damage. Fragile and valuable items are better left to professionals for packing.

Choosing a Company: FMC License and Red Flags

Companies that offer transportation of household goods to or from the USA by sea must have a license or FMC registration as an ocean transportation intermediary (OTI – ocean transportation intermediary, including NVOCC, which is a carrier without its own ships). FMC maintains a public list of licensed or registered companies with financial security (OTI List on the website www2.fmc.gov). A Polish company may collaborate with a licensed American partner – in that case, ask who exactly issues the bill of lading and who is responsible for the cargo in the USA, and check that entity on the list.

What to watch out for, according to FMC's "Moving Dos and Don’ts":

• get several written estimates after inspecting the items, not just from a calculator,
• read the fine print: what is included in the price, what is not (often terminal fees), whether the delivery date is guaranteed,
• determine who will handle customs clearance,
• beware of high deposits and refusal to accept credit card payments – after paying by bank transfer or check, it is difficult to recover money in case of a dispute,
• check cancellation policies – some companies require half the price or more upon cancellation,
• do not automatically choose the cheapest offer – according to FMC, low estimates are a common bait for dishonest companies,
• check the history of unresolved complaints: in the CADRS section of FMC, in the Better Business Bureau, and local consumer protection agencies, as well as by searching online for the company name and address.

Documents to Prepare

• passport with an immigration visa or green card (or work visa),
• CBP Form 3299 "Declaration for Free Entry of Unaccompanied Articles",
• "Supplemental Declaration for Unaccompanied Personal and Household Effects", if required by the customs agency,
• detailed inventory in English,
• bill of lading (B/L) or for air freight, an air waybill (AWB) – its number is entered into Form 3299,
• power of attorney for the customs agency if it submits documents on your behalf (Form 3299 provides for the signature of an authorized representative with power of attorney). This can be CBP Form 5291 "Customs Power of Attorney" or an agency form with the same content (19 CFR 141.32),
• address in the USA and phone number.

Form 3299 (version 05/24) has fields for the date and port of arrival in the USA. Instructions from one of the shipping companies (Transglobal Express) indicate that the form is valid only after your arrival, so it is advisable to plan your arrival before the container arrives or roughly at the same time. The conditions for duty exemption are described in the customs regulations section.

What Happens After Arrival

After the ship arrives, the customs agency submits documents to CBP. If everything is in order, the cargo is released, and you can pick it up or the company delivers it to your address. However, CBP may select the container for inspection: scanning, opening doors, or complete unloading at the inspection station. Shapiro describes these three levels of inspection and warns that during the hold, container demurrage charges may accrue.

Upon delivery, check the box numbers against the inventory before signing for receipt, and note any damages on the delivery document and take photos.

Checklist

• At least three written estimates after inspecting the items.
• The company checked on the FMC OTI list (or its American partner).
• A written agreement with a scope of "door to door" or "port to port" and a list of additional fees.
• Determined: who handles customs clearance in the USA and how much it costs.
• Insurance policy with signed terms.
• Electrical equipment checked for 100–240 V and 50/60 Hz.
• Passport, visa or green card, Form 3299, bill of lading number, power of attorney.
• Financial reserve for customs inspection and port fees.
• Arrival before the container arrives.

Frequently Asked Questions

Which is cheaper: shared container or own?

For a few cubic meters, usually a shared container, as you pay for the space occupied. For larger volumes (twenty or more cubic meters), a 20-foot own container, holding about 33 m³, may cost similarly and is faster to handle at the port. Only a comparison of specific estimates will determine this.

How much does it cost to move from Poland to the USA?

From several hundred zlotys for a package (e.g., 609 PLN for 20–25 kg with Meest Post, 2026) to several to tens of thousands of pounds or dollars for a "door to door" container. A public, current price list for sea moving from Poland could not be found; Polish companies quote it individually.

How long does it take for a container to arrive?

A direct route from Gdańsk to New York with MSC took 13 days (2025), but according to Container News, this service will no longer call at the USA from April 2026. A shared container from Gdynia to New York takes about 25 days (Greencarrier, 2024). Counting from the pickup of items to delivery to your door, you should plan several weeks more.

Do I need to be in the USA when my things arrive?

Form 3299 requires you to provide your arrival date, and instructions from one of the shipping companies emphasize that it is valid only after your arrival. Therefore, it is best to arrive before the container. The customs agency can submit the documents based on the power of attorney.

Do I need a customs agency?

Not always. Some companies include customs clearance in the price, while others require the client to arrange it themselves. FMC advises determining this at the beginning.

How to check if a company is honest?

Check it (or its American partner) on the FMC OTI list, get a written estimate after inspection, read the contract and reviews.

Is it worth bringing a Polish washing machine, refrigerator, or television?

Large appliances usually not. In the USA, the voltage is 120 V and 60 Hz, and 240 V circuits have different sockets. A transformer does not change frequency. A television or laptop with a power supply "100–240 V, 50/60 Hz" will work after changing the plug – check the nameplate. However, a Polish television will not receive American over-the-air television, as it is broadcast in the ATSC standard in the USA and in DVB-T2 in Poland.

Are my belongings insured in the transport price?

Usually only to a limited extent. FMC advises purchasing additional insurance and obtaining a signed policy. Sample rates (Shipit, site status in November 2026) are 2–4.5% of the declared value. Self-packed items may only be insured for total loss.