Poland has become a pivotal logistics hub in Europe, a country whose manufacturing strength, geographic position, and growing export economy have reshaped regional trade flows. Over the past decade, U.S.-Poland commercial ties have accelerated, driven by demand for industrial machinery, engineered components, advanced metals, and furniture.
The Port of New York and New Jersey is the third-busiest port in the U.S. after Los Angeles and Long Beach, and the busiest on the East Coast. In 2024, it handled approximately 8.7 million TEUs (twenty-foot equivalents), an 11.4% increase over 2023.
International freight can seem daunting for small and mid-sized businesses. Unlike many multinational corporations, which may move thousands of containers per month, you may ship only a handful. Yet you face the same complexities: port congestion, customs compliance, carrier selection, and unpredictable transit times.
If you’re moving overseas, you already have a ton on your mind: packing up your household, finding a home in your new country, maybe preparing for a new job. On top of that, you have to figure out how to move all your stuff.
For many who are relocating from the US to a country overseas, the logistics involved in transporting their worldly goods over the ocean and via truck to their new home are daunting. In addition to the stress of getting everything packed and organized on this end, arranging ocean freight, trucking to and from port, and export and customs paperwork, etc. can feel overwhelming.
Maybe you’ve bought a used excavator from a dealer in another country. Or you’ve made the winning bid on equipment from a recently closed factory thousands of miles away. There are many reasons for shipping machinery overseas, many decisions to make along the way, and many opportunities to ensure trouble-free, cost effective transit – if you have the necessary capabilities.
When you’re a smaller-volume shipper importing or exporting container freight between the U.S. and Europe, the lure of working with a major freight forwarder or Non-Vessel-Operating Common Carrier (NVOCC) can be strong. At that level, they have significant leverage with the major ocean lines and can offer attractive rates for each booking. But is it possible that going the “big guy” route can prove to be penny wise yet pound foolish? What are the best types of shipping companies for small businesses? Let’s take a look under the hood.
Trade tensions, rising tariffs, and supply chain shifts are prompting U.S. importers to look beyond China for sourcing. For many, Lithuania has become an attractive alternative — offering quality products, lower tariffs, and faster transit times to the U.S.
For anyone importing goods into the U.S., there are two main types of companies providing services to help you bring them in: Freight forwarders and customs brokers. Forwarders focus on the cargo transport, from origin to destination, whereas customs brokers focus on efficient, compliant clearance of your imports through customs. While there may be some overlap in duties, the roles of brokers and forwarders are more complementary.
Whether you’ve been importing goods to the U.S. for years, or just setting up shop, contending with clearing freight into the country through Customs and Border Protection (CBP) is a complex affair. Everything needs to be buttoned up tight in order to avoid unnecessary delays and snafus.
