Why Poland is the most cost-effective fulfilment hub for EU expansion

TLDR

A fulfilment center in Poland gives brands Germany-level delivery speeds at much lower costs. Poland offers fast 1-day shipping into Germany, strong cross-border logistics, and lower labour and warehouse prices than Western Europe. 

This makes it the most cost-effective hub for EU expansion. Leading providers such as Bezos already run fulfilment centres in Poland with smooth Shopify, Amazon, and WooCommerce integrations, helping ecommerce brands scale across the EU with minimal friction.

Explore why Poland can be a perfect place to start your expansion into different markets, especially to Germany, which is one of the strongest e-commerce hubs in Europe.

Key takeaways

• Germany remains one of Europe’s biggest ecommerce markets. According to the industry group BEVH, in 2024 online goods sales in Germany reached about €80.6 billion, up 1.1 % compared with the previous year. Its size and proximity to Poland make it a prime target for cross-border fulfilment strategies.
• Polish fulfilment centres routinely offer 1-day delivery into Germany while operating at significantly lower costs than German hubs.
  Poland provides 1 to 4 day delivery across most of the EU, making it a strategic single-hub location for expansion.
• Major ecommerce players like Zalando and Amazon run large fulfilment centres in Poland, signalling strong infrastructure and reliability.
• Integrated fulfilment hubs in Poland support seamless connections to major ecommerce platforms, enabling efficient multi-channel operations across the EU.

Ready to streamline your fulfillment? Contact us today at Bezos.ai. 

Expanding into the EU is not only a market decision but also a logistics decision. If Germany is your main revenue target, the question is whether storing products inside Germany is worth the extra operating costs. In many cases, the answer is no.

According to BEVH data reported by Reuters, online goods sales reached about €80.6 billion in 2024, showing a return to year-on-year growth at roughly 1.1 percent. 

The important detail is that meeting German delivery expectations does not always require German warehouse pricing. Many Polish fulfilment centres are located close to the German border and can achieve 1-day delivery into Germany through major carrier networks. They also benefit from lower labour costs, lower warehousing expenses and competitive last-mile rates.

For these reasons, logistics-driven brands increasingly choose Poland as their EU fulfilment base. Providers such as Bezos already run fulfilment centres in Poland with cross-border delivery, automated routing and native integrations for Shopify, Amazon, WooCommerce and more than 30 other sales channels. For most growing ecommerce brands, this setup becomes the most cost-effective way to scale across the EU.

Why Germany drives EU fulfilment decisions

Germany acts as the anchor market for most EU expansion strategies. It is one of the largest ecommerce economies in the world, and about 11.2 percent of national retail now comes from online sales. This scale shapes how brands plan their logistics footprint.

For ecommerce companies, the German market creates two clear pressures. First, customer expectations are high. Same-day and next-day delivery are widely available, and shoppers are used to consistent tracking and reliable last-mile performance. Second, operating costs inside Germany can be steep. Labour is more expensive, warehouse rents are higher, and carriers charge premium rates for domestic fulfilment.

This combination makes Germany both attractive and challenging. Brands want access to its buying power but often struggle to justify the cost of running a warehouse there.

A Poland-based fulfilment centre changes the equation. You can maintain fast delivery into Germany while taking advantage of lower labour costs, more affordable warehouse space and stronger cost efficiency across all fulfilment operations. 

Why Poland is a more cost-effective fulfilment location

Poland has become one of Europe’s most attractive fulfilment locations for brands that want to scale. The value proposition is clear. You get delivery speeds that feel close to German domestic fulfilment, but your operating costs stay much lower.

Labour costs in Poland sit below Western European levels, and warehouse rents remain competitive even in major logistics regions. Carriers also benefit from strong road links into Germany, the Netherlands, Austria and the wider Central European network. This gives Poland a natural advantage for fast and predictable cross-border delivery.

For ecommerce operations, the result is a better balance between price and performance. You can serve Germany with 1-day delivery from many Polish hubs while keeping storage, pick-pack and last-mile spending under control. It gives brands the speed they need without the cost pressure that comes with operating inside Germany.

Labour and warehouse costs

Warehouse rental rates in Poland remain well below those in Germany and the Netherlands, even in prime logistics zones. Labour costs are also noticeably lower, particularly for picking, packing and general warehouse coverage. This creates a strong cost advantage for brands that need reliable fulfilment without high overheads. The savings compound month after month, which makes Poland attractive for both early-stage and scaling ecommerce operations.

For ecommerce brands, this means:

• Lower pick-and-pack costs
• Lower storage fees
• Lower overall fulfilment cost per order
• Cheaper seasonal scaling

Carrier rates and cross-border affordability

Cross-border shipments from Poland into Germany are priced competitively because the route is one of the busiest parcel corridors in Europe. High volume keeps carrier rates stable, and the road infrastructure between the two countries is strong and predictable. Multiple major couriers operate near the border, which gives fulfilment providers the freedom to choose the most cost-efficient option for each order.

Poland’s logistics network is also highly concentrated around Poznań, Szczecin and Wrocław. These hubs sit close to the German border and shorten the final delivery distance. For brands, this means faster transit times, more delivery consistency and a lower cost per parcel for German customers.

Speed and delivery coverage from Poland

Polish fulfilment centres offer strong delivery performance across Central and Western Europe. Locations near the German border benefit from major road corridors, dense carrier networks and predictable transit times. This helps brands to match the delivery expectations of high-value markets without operating inside those markets.

Polish fulfilment centres routinely achieve:

• 1-day delivery into Germany
• 1-day delivery into Czechia and Poland
• 1–4 day delivery to most EU destinations

This reach makes Poland an ideal single-hub strategy for ecommerce expansion. You can cover major EU markets with competitive speed while keeping inventory in one place, which simplifies stock management, forecasting and operational planning.

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Meeting German customer expectations

German shoppers expect fast delivery and reliable tracking. Many brands assume this requires a warehouse inside Germany, but Polish fulfilment centres show that this is not always the case. Facilities close to the border can match the speed German customers want while at the same time they keep operating costs far lower.

Large ecommerce players have already proven this model. Companies such as Zalando run major fulfilment sites in Poland to maintain next-day delivery standards for German buyers while keeping margins healthy. It demonstrates that Poland can meet high delivery expectations without the financial pressure of a German warehouse.

Business benefits of choosing a fulfilment center in Poland

Poland is not just a lower-cost option. It is also a strong and mature logistics environment. The country has invested heavily in road networks, cross-border infrastructure and modern warehousing. All of that gives fulfilment providers a stable foundation to work from. Brands gain the benefit of competitive costs without compromising on speed, reliability or technology.

Escalabilidad

Poland has grown into a major base for large fulfilment campuses. Many warehouses are designed for high throughput, modern automation and flexible shift capacity. This gives brands room to grow without worrying about space or operational limits. You can start with a few hundred orders per month and scale to thousands per day inside the same network. It removes the friction of switching providers as demand increases.

Improved margin and cash flow

Lower fulfilment costs and cheaper storage have a direct impact on your profit per order. You spend less on every shipment, which improves overall margin and frees up cash for growth. Faster delivery also supports better conversion rates, fewer returns and higher customer satisfaction. The result is a healthier and more predictable cash flow cycle.

Cross-border reliability

Polish fulfilment providers work closely with major EU carriers, which helps maintain stable delivery performance throughout the year. These partnerships keep routes predictable and minimise delays, even during peak season. For brands, this means consistent cross-border shipping and fewer operational surprises.

Operational ROI from Polish fulfilment centres

For most ecommerce brands, ROI from choosing a fulfilment centre in Poland comes from a few key operational advantages. These are often stronger than what you get from a traditional Western-European warehouse.

• Lower fixed costs (rent, labour, insurance)
  Warehousing rent and insurance in Poland tend to be cheaper than in Germany or the Netherlands. Staffing costs for warehouse labour are also lower. This means your base monthly overhead goes down straight away. That’s a big benefit, especially when you run a warehouse all year.
• Lower variable costs (pick-and-pack, storage, shipping)
  Because labour is cheaper and warehouses are optimized for high volume, pick-and-pack operations cost less per order. Storage fees stay affordable even when inventory volume increases. Shipping rates for cross-border parcels are competitive. Together, these factors lower the variable cost of each order significantly.
• Better delivery performance across the EU
  From Poland you can reach major EU markets in 1–4 days, depending on destination. That reliable delivery coverage increases your brand’s appeal across the continent. Faster and consistent deliveries also help build trust, reduce customer friction and improve post-purchase satisfaction.
• Reduced cart abandonment due to competitive shipping prices
  High fulfilment and shipping costs often get passed on to customers, which can lead to cart abandonment at checkout. With a Polish fulfilment setup, you have room to absorb more of these costs or offer reasonable (or even free) shipping. That helps keep conversion rates healthy.
• Improved inventory efficiency thanks to single-hub fulfilment
  Maintaining one central warehouse instead of multiple regional ones makes inventory management easier. You have fewer storage locations to manage, lower overhead in tracking and re-stocking, and better visibility into stock levels. This streamlines forecasting, reduces stockouts or overstock, and supports leaner operations.

This kind of operational ROI is especially valuable for direct-to-consumer brands, subscription-based businesses, and any fast-moving consumer goods categories. For such companies, efficient fulfilment often makes the difference between thin margins and sustainable growth.

Why is Bezos your ideal business partner for expansion to other markets?

Bezos operates a modern fulfilment centre in Poland as part of its wider EU network. The system connects directly with major ecommerce platforms and marketplaces, which removes the complexity of onboarding or custom development. Brands can start shipping quickly without technical hurdles.

Bezos integrates directly with:

• Shopify
• WooCommerce
• Amazon

The platform uses automation and AI-powered routing to optimise warehouse allocation, shipping method selection and stock replenishment. This ensures each order follows the most efficient path while keeping costs predictable. The entire setup is designed to reduce manual work and give brands full visibility across their supply chain.

Brands that store inventory in Poland through Bezos gain:

• One central EU hub
• Fast delivery into Germany
• Scalable cross-border shipping
• Automated tracking, returns and SLA monitoring
• No engineering effort to integrate

This makes Bezos a strong choice for brands that want a cost-effective, low-maintenance fulfilment setup for fast EU expansion.

Ready to expand? Start country expansion with Bezos.ai.

Conclusión

Poland has become the most strategic location for ecommerce brands that want fast EU delivery without the high operating costs of Western Europe. It provides 1-day delivery into Germany and 1–4 day coverage across much of the EU, supported by modern warehouses and competitive labour and storage fees. When paired with fulfilment providers like Bezos, which offer seamless integrations and automated routing, Poland becomes a cost-effective and operationally strong base for EU-wide growth.

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PREGUNTAS FRECUENTES

What are the best fulfilment centres in Poland?

Top fulfilment options include international 3PLs and networks such as Bezos, which provides modern facilities, automation, and multi-channel integrations.

How much does it cost to fulfil orders from Poland?

Costs vary by SKU size, order volume and service level, but Polish fulfilment centres generally operate 20–40 percent cheaper than German or Dutch equivalents for pick-and-pack and storage.

Can I ship internationally from a Polish fulfilment center?

Yes. Poland is positioned for EU-wide delivery with 1–4 day coverage to almost all European markets.

What are the benefits of using a fulfilment center in Poland?

Lower operating costs, faster delivery into Germany, strong cross-border logistics and scalable fulfilment infrastructure.

Are Polish fulfilment centres reliable for ecommerce?

Yes. Poland hosts fulfilment operations for Amazon, Zalando and major 3PLs, indicating strong reliability and infrastructure.

How fast is delivery from a fulfilment center in Poland?

Typically 1 day into Germany and 1–4 days across the EU.

Does the centre integrate with Shopify, Amazon or WooCommerce?

Yes. Providers like Bezos integrate with Shopify, Amazon, WooCommerce and 30+ platforms.

What regions in Poland are strategic for fulfilment centres?

Poznań, Wrocław and Szczecin are key hubs due to proximity to the German border, major motorways and carrier density.

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