Citing “temporary security reasons” linked to hybrid threats and irregular migration, Poland has suspended traffic through ten land border-crossing points—two with Russia’s Kaliningrad enclave and eight with Belarus. The closures, published late on 6 January and effective immediately, exempt only humanitarian convoys and will be reviewed every 30 days.
Several of the shuttered checkpoints were already operating on reduced hours, but the blanket ban now forces logistics operators to reroute via Lithuanian corridors or the Gdańsk ferry, adding up to 300 km to some journeys. The sole remaining Belarus crossing at Kukuryki–Kozlovichi is running at 150 percent capacity, producing multi-hour queues and higher fuel costs.
Insurers have begun levying risk premiums on freight transiting Belarus, costs that will ripple through automotive and retail supply chains in Poland and Germany. Business travellers using company cars must also adjust itineraries: entry will be refused at closed points even with a valid Schengen visa.
![Poland closes ten land crossings with Russia and Belarus, forcing supply-chain detours]()
For anyone suddenly needing to reorganize travel documents or secure alternate transit visas, VisaHQ can simplify the process. Their Poland portal (https://www.visahq.com/poland/) aggregates up-to-date requirements for Schengen, Lithuanian, Latvian and other regional permits, and can fast-track applications for drivers and business visitors affected by the rerouting.
Companies are urged to issue updated route guidance, ensure drivers carry documents for alternative crossings, and monitor daily queue times published by the Polish Border Guard. Mobility teams moving staff between Polish and Baltic facilities should also confirm that rerouted drivers meet Lithuanian and Latvian visa and cabotage rules.
Strategically, the closures tighten Warsaw’s hard-line border policy while signalling to Brussels its need for additional EU funding under the SAFE instrument for external-border management.
Several of the shuttered checkpoints were already operating on reduced hours, but the blanket ban now forces logistics operators to reroute via Lithuanian corridors or the Gdańsk ferry, adding up to 300 km to some journeys. The sole remaining Belarus crossing at Kukuryki–Kozlovichi is running at 150 percent capacity, producing multi-hour queues and higher fuel costs.
Insurers have begun levying risk premiums on freight transiting Belarus, costs that will ripple through automotive and retail supply chains in Poland and Germany. Business travellers using company cars must also adjust itineraries: entry will be refused at closed points even with a valid Schengen visa.
For anyone suddenly needing to reorganize travel documents or secure alternate transit visas, VisaHQ can simplify the process. Their Poland portal (https://www.visahq.com/poland/) aggregates up-to-date requirements for Schengen, Lithuanian, Latvian and other regional permits, and can fast-track applications for drivers and business visitors affected by the rerouting.
Companies are urged to issue updated route guidance, ensure drivers carry documents for alternative crossings, and monitor daily queue times published by the Polish Border Guard. Mobility teams moving staff between Polish and Baltic facilities should also confirm that rerouted drivers meet Lithuanian and Latvian visa and cabotage rules.
Strategically, the closures tighten Warsaw’s hard-line border policy while signalling to Brussels its need for additional EU funding under the SAFE instrument for external-border management.
