At a glance
- 🗺️ The Route: Goods typically travel via road through Europe, then ferry (UK landbridge or direct to France/Cherbourg -> Rosslare/Dublin).
- ⏱️ Timeframe: Standard transit time is 4 to 6 working days from loading in Poland to arrival in Ireland.
- 📋 Paperwork: Minimal. No customs declarations required (EU Internal Market). CMR and Packing List are the main docs.
- 🏗️ Site Ready: We organize logistics suited to your site access (rigid trucks, Moffett offloading, or tail lifts).
Is it complicated? (Spoiler: No)
Many Irish businesses hesitate to import because they fear logistical nightmares. "What if it gets stuck at the border?" "How do I organize a truck from Warsaw?"
The reality is that since both Poland and Ireland are in the EU Single Market, the process is as legally simple as moving goods from Cork to Donegal-just with a slightly longer drive.
Here is exactly how the process looks when you work with Actitrade.
Step 1: Production & Quality Check (in Poland)
Once your order is manufactured (whether it’s windows, steel, or furniture), it doesn't just leave the factory blindly. Actitrade performs a pre-shipment check. We verify that the goods match the order specs and are packed correctly for international transport (e.g., A-frames for glass, reinforced pallets for heavy materials).
Why this matters: Returning a damaged window from Dublin to Poland is costly. We ensure it leaves the factory in perfect condition.
Step 2: Consolidation (Optional)
If you are buying tiles from Factory A and doors from Factory B, you don't want to pay for two separate shipments. We collect goods from multiple suppliers and bring them to our staging warehouse. There, we consolidate everything onto one pallet or into one truckload.
Step 3: Loading & Documentation
The truck arrives. We supervise the loading to ensure weight distribution is correct and goods are secured with straps and anti-slip mats. The Paperwork:
- CMR (Waybill): The standard transport document.
- Packing List: Detailed inventory of what is on board.
- No Customs Docs: Because it’s an Intra-Community supply, there is no T1 or customs clearance needed.
Step 4: The Journey (Road & Ferry)
The truck departs Poland. The most common route takes it through Germany, the Netherlands, and then into a ferry port (usually Rotterdam or Zeebrugge). From there, goods sail to the UK (transit) or directly to Ireland (Rosslare or Dublin).
- Total distance: ~2,000 km.
- Driver communication: We stay in touch with the transport company to track progress.
Step 5: Delivery to Your Site
This is the part you see. We coordinate the delivery slot with your site manager. Depending on your site constraints, we can arrange:
- Articulated Trucks: For large, accessible sites / full loads.
- Rigid Trucks: For residential areas with tighter access.
- Moffett / Tail Lift: If you don't have a forklift on site, we bring the offloading equipment with us.
Summary
Importing from Poland is not a leap of faith; it is a standard, well-oiled logistical operation. The only difference between buying local and buying from Poland is a few days of travel time-and significant cost savings on the product itself.
Ready to start your first shipment? Contact us to discuss logistics for your next project.