In this guide, paczki means parcels or packages, the Polish word used by customers sending belongings from the USA to Poland. It does not refer to pastries. Preparing a parcel starts with the contents, the packed weight and dimensions, the recipient’s address, and a suitable air or sea service.
Air and sea services suit different shipment sizes and priorities. Before selecting a method, explain what you plan to send, when the recipient needs it, and whether any item is fragile, valuable or subject to restrictions. A delivery estimate should account for collection, consolidation where applicable, transport, customs processing and local delivery.
Air transport may suit smaller or time-sensitive parcels. Sea transport may suit larger, less urgent shipments. Availability, acceptance rules and the total quote depend on the actual goods and destination. Ask which stages the estimate includes and how holidays, inspections or changes to the route could affect it.
Start with the packed weight, external dimensions, destination and chosen transport method. Check whether the quote includes collection, packing, protection options and delivery, and which charges may be payable separately. Use the current company pricing or a shipment-specific quote; examples from another carrier are not a DOMA tariff.
Close the box before measuring its length, width and height. Include protruding packaging, and weigh the parcel with all cushioning and tape. Record the units so that inches and pounds are not confused with centimetres and kilograms. For several boxes, prepare a separate line for each package instead of reporting only the total weight.
Do not assume that food, liquids, batteries, medication, plants or other restricted goods are accepted. Check the selected service and destination rules before dispatch. Fresh bakery products and goods requiring refrigeration should not be treated as ordinary parcel contents without explicit acceptance and suitable transport arrangements.
Use this comparison to prepare questions for the shipping team:
| Shipping Method | Timing to Confirm | Quote to Compare |
|---|---|---|
| Air | Current end-to-end estimate for the selected service | Packed weight, dimensions, accepted contents and included services |
| Sea | Collection, consolidation, sailing, customs and delivery stages | Shipment volume, handling, delivery scope and any separate charges |
DOMA’s international parcel shipping information is a starting point for planning. Confirm that the particular item and destination are covered before arranging collection.
Choose packaging for the contents and the handling it will encounter. A box that is adequate for storage at home may not provide enough protection for international transport.
Use a sturdy carton in good condition. Wrap fragile objects separately, protect corners and fill empty spaces so the contents cannot move freely. Avoid overloading a large box with dense goods. Keep old labels and barcodes off reused packaging, and place the recipient details where they can be read clearly. Ask the team about special packing for unusually shaped or fragile items.
Prepare the documents requested for the route and service. Describe what is inside each parcel, its quantity and its actual value. For example, list used clothing or books rather than a vague description such as assorted items. State the true reason for shipment; marking a commercial purchase as a gift does not make it eligible for gift treatment.
Keep the sender and recipient names consistent across the booking, labels and supporting documents. If the shipment contains purchases, retain the relevant receipts or invoices. Ask about any additional documents before dispatch, not after the parcel has reached the border.
Acceptance depends on the item, its condition, the transport mode and the destination rules. A product sold legally in a US store is not automatically permitted in an international parcel. Give the shipping team a precise description of uncertain contents and wait for confirmation before including them. Do not conceal hazardous or restricted goods among personal belongings.
A purchase, a genuine private gift and qualifying relocation goods can follow different customs rules. Value alone does not determine every exemption. Confirm the current requirements with the appropriate customs authority and the shipping team, including who supplies documents and pays any assessed charges.
Declare the actual contents and value. An accurate declaration supports customs processing but does not guarantee an exemption, prevent inspection or establish a fixed release date.
Keep the tracking or booking reference provided for your shipment and follow the instructions supplied by the carrier or DOMA. Tracking normally shows recorded milestones, not continuous GPS coordinates. If a status needs clarification, provide the reference number and the date of the last update when contacting the team.
Check the full Polish address, postal code, apartment number and recipient phone number before collection. Tell the receiver that documents or delivery arrangements may require a response. Confirm how an address correction, missed delivery or unavailable recipient would be handled for the selected service.
Send the team a consistent set of shipment details. Written confirmation of the scope makes it easier to compare options and resolve questions before the goods leave the USA.
If purchases arrive from several US shops, ask how they should be labelled and received, whether consolidation is appropriate, and when a combined parcel can be prepared. Repacking may change the dimensions and chargeable weight, so confirm the final quote after preparation. Savings are shipment-dependent rather than automatic.
Ask what protection is available for the booking, which events or items are excluded, how values must be documented and what reporting deadlines apply. Do not assume the full value is automatically covered. Keep the applicable terms and any condition photographs with your shipment records.
Use the same booking reference in follow-up messages and nominate a contact for the sender and receiver. Explain changes to contents, addresses or availability before collection. Ask for clarification if an instruction or document request is unclear.
Before ordering, confirm whether the seller accepts the proposed delivery address and payment method. Understand its cancellation, return and warranty rules, especially after goods leave the USA. Confirm receiving and forwarding arrangements with DOMA rather than assuming every retailer or product is supported.
Choose accepted goods that can withstand the selected journey and packaging conditions. A parcel you pack in the USA is a different arrangement from ordering a locally delivered gift or bouquet. Explain which service you need so that the team can confirm the right procedure.
Cars, motorcycles and household relocations need a separate assessment. Prepare vehicle details or a household inventory, addresses and access information, then request the relevant transport quote. A parcel calculator should not be used as a complete vehicle or household-move estimate.
Check the final contents list, labels, packed measurements and recipient details against your booking. Keep copies of the quote and requested documents. Hand over the goods only after acceptance and service arrangements are clear.
Use the current pricing and the actual package measurements, or request a quote for unusual contents or several boxes. Confirm included services and possible separate charges.
Ask for the current estimate for your route and method, including any collection, consolidation, customs and delivery stages. General transit examples are not guaranteed arrival dates.
Check the precise ingredients, packaging and destination restrictions with the team before sending any food. Do not assume fresh or refrigerated goods are accepted in ordinary air or sea parcels.
No. The actual sender, recipient, contents, value and applicable rules determine treatment. Declare the true purpose and ask the relevant authority about any relief.
Send an updated list and measurements before collection. Ask the team to confirm acceptance, documents and any revised price or scope in writing.
