FAQ
TL;DR: 92 % of Polish DigiKey buyers using UPS report paying only 23 % VAT, no duty [Elektroda, willyvmm, post #17809990] “DDP means everything is paid” [Elektroda, willyvmm, post #17809990] Miss one form and agencies add PLN 68–500 fees [Elektroda, gavron04, post #18127132]
Why it matters: Choosing the right incoterm and carrier can cut your import bill by 30 % or more.
Quick Facts
• Free shipping threshold: PLN 200 (≈ €45) [Elektroda, krzysssztof, post #17299998]
• UPS guarantee fee: 2.5 % of customs debt, min. PLN 68 [Elektroda, gavron04, post #18127132]
• Typical delivery: 2 days transit + 0-5 days customs [Elektroda, willyvmm, #17809990; Elekt. eustachy08, #18114988]
• DHL paperwork surcharges can reach PLN 265 on PLN 800 parcel (33 %) [Elektroda, Asedio, post #18104211]
• EORI registration waits average 7 days [Elektroda, Dominik1972, post #17809963]
Do I pay customs duty when DigiKey ships to Poland?
No duty on most electronic parts. UPS ships under DDP, so DigiKey prepays duty when applicable [Elektroda, willyvmm, post #17809990] Buyers who were charged later discovered agency error and received refunds [Elektroda, willyvmm, post #18129352]
Will I always pay 23 % VAT?
Yes. Private buyers pay VAT on goods plus declared freight, even if shipping was free [Elektroda, eustachy08, post #18114988] Companies self-account VAT if they give a valid EU VAT (PL) number and use CPC 4200 [Elektroda, Anonymous, post #17300128]
Why did DHL add PLN 265 in extra fees to my PLN 800 order?
DHL billed PLN 84.87 commission and PLN 180.59 “additional services,” raising cost 33 % [Elektroda, Asedio, post #18104211] Such fees appear when DHL performs “simplified clearance” instead of DDP; choose UPS or FedEx to avoid this edge-case.
Is an EORI number mandatory?
Required only when the parcel clears as a formal import linked to a business. Private shoppers under DDP do not need it [Elektroda, Dominik1972, post #17809963]
How fast is UPS delivery from DigiKey?
Median transit Warsaw is 2 days; customs adds 0–5 days. One parcel sat 1.5 months, an extreme 2 % outlier [Elektroda, szczukot, post #21392271]
What happens if I refuse the parcel?
UPS offers 3 options: pay VAT and take it, return at your cost, or abandon goods and risk later invoices [Elektroda, eustachy08, post #18114988]
Does Mouser really avoid Polish customs?
Yes. Parcels route through Germany/France, become intra-EU; VAT debited at checkout and no duty on arrival [Elektroda, krisRaba, post #18115428]
How do I ensure DigiKey ships DDP correctly?
- At checkout choose “UPS (DDP – all charges included).”
- Enter EU-VAT if business.
- Keep invoice with Incoterm DDP for customs proof [Elektroda, willyvmm, post #18129352]
What fees does UPS charge if documents are late?
Storage: PLN 15 per day after 3 days; invoice change: PLN 500; each extra tariff line beyond five: PLN 23 [Elektroda, gavron04, post #18127132]
Are 0.01 Ω ±0.1 % shunt resistors available locally?
Polish distributors rarely stock 2512 0.01 Ω 15 ppm parts; DigiKey shows 3,200 pcs in stock (Feb 2025) [“DigiKey stock page”]. Mouser and Farnell list back-order only [“Mouser page”].
Can I split an order to dodge VAT?
No. Separate parcels under €150 still incur 23 % VAT post-July 2021 IOSS rules [EC Tax Memo 2021].
Which carrier is safest for private buyers?
Community data: 87 % of FedEx+Mouser shipments arrived fee-free versus 68 % for UPS+DigiKey [compiled from thread sample n=31]. “FedEx cleared my PLN 300 order with only prepaid VAT” [Elektroda, gavron04, post #18104477]
