Transport Warsaw – London. Time, cost and customs duty [Guide 2026]

The Warsaw-London route is one of the busiest Poland-UK transport corridors. Hundreds of vans and trucks use it every day.

Route and Time (T/T)

• Distance: approximately 1,650 km.
• Route: A2 (Poland) -> A12/A2 (Germany) -> E40 (Belgium/France) -> Ferry/Channel Tunnel -> M20 (UK).
• Transit time (Bus 3.5t): approximately 20-24 hours (without tachograph limits).
• Transit time (TIR): approximately 3-4 working days, including breaks and the crossing.

Critical points

1. Export Clearance (Warsaw): You can do this at the Customs Office (e.g. OC I in Warsaw at Utrata Street) or through an agency (easyclearance.pl). 2. Crossing (Calais/Dunkirk): You need a number here GMR. The driver must have it on their phone. 3. Entry to London (M25): Beware of zones LEZ (Low Emission Zone) and ULEZ. Polish vans must be registered in the TfL system, otherwise a £1000 daily fine applies!

Costs

• Van express: PLN 3,500-5,000.
• TIR (FTL): 8000 - 12000 PLN (depending on the season).
• Customs clearance: approx. 250-400 PLN (complete Export+Import).

What the current official guidance means in practice

For operational work, the current procedural rules, declaration fields and relief conditions should be checked directly against the official guidance. For this topic, the core reference points are GOV.UK / HMRC, European Commission.

Operational watch-outs

Most delays come from inconsistent data between the commercial invoice, packing list, tariff classification, reference numbers and transport assumptions. Before shipment release, confirm who is responsible for clearance, whether the data set is complete and when the declaration must be filed.

Documents and data to prepare

The minimum working pack worth preparing before speaking to customs support or filing a declaration includes:

• commercial invoice with a complete goods description
• packing list with quantities, weight and package count
• HS/CN code and origin information
• EORI number and the party responsible for the declaration

Practical notes for UK-PL operators

For regular flows, keep a stable data template: goods description, HS code, origin, Incoterms, carrier details and source documents. This shortens response time and reduces border corrections.

Official sources

• UK GOV (Importing into the UK) — GOV.UK / HMRC, 2026-03-04
• EU Taxation & Customs Union — European Commission, 2026-03-04
• GOV.UK: tax and duty on goods sent from abroad — GOV.UK / HMRC, 2026-03-04