Cargo delivery from Poland and the EU to Ukraine for business: how to arrange it without delays

Which EU shipments are suitable for express delivery

DHL and FedEx express delivery is a solution for companies (LLCs) and sole proprietors (FOPs) who need to receive a small commercial shipment quickly. Typical cases:

• product samples from a new supplier;
• components and spare parts for production or service;
• small batches of goods weighing from 0.1 to 70 kg;
• repair shipments — equipment sent abroad for repair and returned.

For such shipments, not only speed matters but also predictability: you know where the cargo is by the waybill number and understand in advance which documents customs will need. That is why commercial cargo from the EU should go through the official express carrier channel rather than through chance travellers or informal methods.

If you plan regular sample shipments, see the separate product samples delivery service.

Delivery, customs clearance or a package: what you can order

SEMERO covers exactly the need you have:

• delivery booking only with DHL or FedEx — if you arrange customs clearance yourself;
• customs clearance only for DHL or FedEx cargo — if the supplier in Poland or another EU country has already booked the delivery;
• a package — delivery together with customs clearance, when it is more convenient to have one party responsible for the whole route of the cargo.

None of the services is tied to another: you choose the format that suits a specific shipment.

Documents for delivery from Poland to Ukraine

The most common cause of delays is not the distance or the carrier but the documents. A commercial shipment from the EU usually requires:

• an invoice with an exact description of the goods, quantity and value;
• a contract with the supplier or documents for free-of-charge delivery (for example, for samples);
• the DHL or FedEx waybill number (AWB);
• permits, if the specific goods require them.

Important: the 150 EUR threshold, below which goods are imported without customs payments, applies to private individuals. For companies and sole proprietors (FOPs), it applies to the entire customs value: goods + delivery + other invoice costs, at the exchange rate on the day of arrival. If the shipment is on CPT Ukraine terms and the total does not exceed 150 EUR, and the goods do not require permits, the cargo can pass without a declaration. Details are in the article "Invoices under 150 EUR for business: CPT terms and customs value". The list of documents depends on the goods, so it is best to send the invoice and cargo description to the broker before shipping. More on typical mistakes in the article why customs clearance fails and what a business should do.

How customs clearance of EU cargo works

SEMERO carries out customs clearance of DHL and FedEx cargo through the Kyiv hub. We work under our own customs broker licence UACBR125000640, which means we are directly responsible for the clearance rather than passing it to an intermediary. We explained how this differs from working with an agent in the article customs broker for business.

Cargo is stored free of charge at the SEMERO customs warehouse for 3 days. This is not the same as the 30 days during which customs holds uncleared cargo before it is returned to the sender: the 3 days are free storage specifically at our warehouse, after which storage is charged. That is why it is better to agree the documents before the cargo arrives in Ukraine.

If your EU cargo is shipped via FedEx, it is useful to read the separate guide on FedEx customs clearance for business.

Repair shipments to the EU and back

For equipment that goes to a supplier in the EU for repair and returns to Ukraine, a special customs procedure exists. It can help avoid paying duty twice, but it only works with correctly prepared documents and a contract. The outcome depends on the specific situation, so such a shipment should be discussed with a broker before the equipment leaves Ukraine.

How to avoid delays: practical tips

1. 1Consult before shipping. Shipping anything of any weight, even from 0.1 kg and with a value below 150 EUR, without consulting a broker significantly increases the risk of delays and additional costs.
2. 2Ask the supplier to send the invoice in advance. This gives the broker time to check the goods description and advise what to correct.
3. 3Describe the goods specifically. Wording like "spare parts" or "samples" without details often triggers requests from customs.
4. 4Agree on receipt. SEMERO offices operate in Kyiv, Mukachevo and Uzhhorod; in other cities, collection and delivery are handled by the carrier's representative offices. Delivery by Nova Poshta after clearance is available as an additional service on your request. The warehouse in Mukachevo is a separate service provided on request.

Get a quote for EU delivery of your cargo

Every shipment from Poland or another EU country has its own nuances: the type of goods, value and the supplier's documents. To get a quote for delivery, customs clearance or a package, contact us via the contacts page — through the form, WhatsApp or by phone.

Frequently asked questions