Moving to Poland

IMPORT OF HOUSEHOLD GOODS

For expat families, the process of moving to a new country, finding a suitable accommodation or good school for their kids is just one of the many things they have to deal with as they prepare to start life in their new environment. Managing the whole process alone can be stressful and time consuming, and so the help of relocation experts is highly recommended. At Move One Relocations we understand the importance of making a seamless transition when settling in your new destination, and are committed to making this possible.

When Moving to Poland, the following documents are needed for foreigners coming to Poland from non-EU countries in order to customs clear the shipment on a duty free basis:

• The company’s certificate of employment stating that the person is employed in Poland from ………. (date) till……… (date). The document must be prepared in original on the company letterhead, signed and stamped by the person mentioned in company’s officially registered documents
• Original certificate from the previous employer mentioning exact employment dates (minimum 12 months), stating that the shipper has terminated his permanent stay in country ……. and is now changing his permanent place of residence to Poland. The document must be prepared in original on the company letterhead of the last place of residence based on draft from last page of this attachment
• Customs clearance power of attorney
• Original or notarized copy of passport with the visa stamped on it or a residence permit instead of visa
• Original or notarized copy of the Polish home address called “zameldowanie”
• Original or notarized copy of promise of work permit
• Signed list of goods specifying the quantity (each assortment should be entered as a separate item), the value and serial numbers. This list must be prepared in Polish
• Application form addressed to the customs office requesting duty free import customs clearance
• Information in writing that the shipper is importing no guns, no narcotics, and nothing made before 1955

EU citizens
There is no customs clearance for shipments arriving to Poland from other EU countries. However, if an EU citizen arrives from a non EU country, normal customs clearance rules (as in “Foreigners”) apply as it is the country of the origin of the goods and not the nationality of the shipper that is relevant here

▲ to top

Polish citizens returning to Poland from non-European Union countries can import goods duty free if they have been out of Poland for a 12 months period. They must present documents stating that they were absent for the entire 12 months. Documents they need to import their goods are:

• Authorized power of attorney for our custom agency to handle the shipment
• Confirmation that shipper was away from Poland for 12 months or more. Polish Consulates no longer issue the certificates as confirmation of permanent stay abroad. In this situation a person must present some other documents, like: phone bills, green card, residence registration, proof of de-registration (wymeldowanie) etc.
• Letter from the previous employer stating that the person was employed and lived there for more than 12 months – PLEASE SEE DRAFT ON THE LAST PAGE
• Original or notarized copy of Polish ID (page with photo, number and address)
• Polish Tax Identity number – original document is not required, juts info sent by mail
• Signed List of goods specifying the quantity (each assortment should be entered as a separate item), the value and serial numbers. This list must be prepared in Polish

Note: Foreigners or returning Polish citizens wishing to import more than one shipment may do so provided that:
This is done within 12 months of arriving to Poland

The list of goods submitted to Polish Customs during the first import is a complete one and lists all the items that will be imported during the 12 month period – i.e. the list must contain not only the items in the first shipment but all the items that are planned to be imported in the future, regardless of the conveyance (sea, road or air).

Please also note that in order to avail of duty-free customs clearance the first shipment must arrive to Poland before the 12 month period is over. On the same basis – clients wishing to import only one shipment on a duty free basis must do so before the 12 month period comes to an end.

▲ to top

Diplomats importing HHG and personal effects do not need to be present for the customs clearance process.
They can import their goods duty free with the following documents:

• Certificate from the Ministry of Foreign affairs listing goods being imported to Poland
• Copy of diplomat’s passport
• Power of Attorney for custom agency to import the shipment which must be signed by the Embassy
• Signed list of goods specifying the quantity (each assortment should be entered as a separate item) and the value of the goods. This list must be prepared in Polish
• Copy of diplomatic ID card

We will provide templates/examples. All above documents need to be stamped/attested by the respective Embassy

▲ to top

• Weapons of all kinds
• Pornography
• Narcotics
• Toxic materials
• Radioactive materials
• Food items

▲ to top

In case of a car, trailer or for example a motorcycle one person can bring in only one item of each type of vehicle. Furthermore a person who is in Poland full time or is returning from a temporary residence in a third country must have been out of the EU legally and continuously for at least 12 months. The items being brought in, including a car, must have been used in the previous place of residence for at least six months. After being brought into the country the vehicle has to be continued to be used in the same manner. Utility vehicles and company cars are not covered under the exemption.

In order to be free of duties and tariffs a person returning to Poland should submit proof of being in possession of the given vehicle they are brining into the country for a minimum of 6 months to the proper customs office. On top of that a car imported into Poland cannot be sold, lent, rented, liened or let to another person to be used (either free of charge or charged) for a period of one year from the moment of being let into free trade. Infringement of this rule evokes a customs debt to be charged on the vehicle in an amount set based on the condition of the car, its value and duties and tariff rates in force on the day the car was transferred. At present a vehicle imported from one of the EU member states is free of duties and tariffs, but an excise tax must be paid. In the case of a used car (more than 6 months since first registration or more than 6.000 km passed) only excise tax has to be paid in Poland. For cars less then 6 months old or less than 6.000 km passed, the 22% VAT must be paid. The excise tax depends on the age of the vehicle and the size of the engine. The

range is 3.1% (for a personal new vehicle with an engine size of less then 2.0 liter) to 65%. If the car is imported from outside the EU all duties and taxes have to be paid. You can take advantage of preferential custom duties, in this case certificate of origin is needed.

When importing a car into Poland the shipper needs to fill out a notarized Power of Attorney for AES/Move One to handle the import. If this form is not filled out the shipper must be present for the customs clearance process. It takes approximately 1-2 days to customs clear a car. After the shipper leaves Poland the car cannot stay in Poland without paying duty and VAT. Documents needed for importing a car to Poland are:

• All documents required for importing HHG’s
• Original car documents proving ownership
• Original registration documents (the vehicle must be registered in the name of the current owner)
• If the car is new, an invoice showing the value of the car
• If the car is second hand, a bill of sale or value declaration signed by the owner
• Insurance

▲ to top

When importing jewelry, paintings, antiques and carpets there should be 2 photos of each item of value. These pieces need to be registered on arrival in Poland.
Items over 100 years old can be exempt from duties and taxes if the proper certificate is produced. Items that originate from before 1945 should be clearly marked on the packing list on import. It should also be packed so that it is readily available when the shipment proceeds through customs.

Documents required to import such items are:

• Certificate of Antiquity from a recognized authority, for items over 100 years old
• For articles made before 1945, there should be 2 photos supplied to the origin agent
• When importing antiques, there must be a complete list with full descriptions and quantities of the items

▲ to top

Rifles
Several import permits are required depending on the type of the rifle which wants to be imported

Stuffed animals
CITES certificate

Notes
Before importing any special item to Poland please contact our office in order to check the appropriate permit requirements.

▲ to top

Import of wine, spirits and tobacco is allowed in personal baggage only.

The allowance limit for the import of wine and spirits for personal consumption is as follows:
Importing from non EU countries

• Alcohol with less than 22% (wine, beer, etc): 2 liters
• Spirits: 1 liter
• Tobacco: 200 cigarettes, 50 cigars or 250 grams of tobacco

Importing from EU countries

• Wine: 90 liters (but no more than 60 liters of sparkling wine)
• Beer: 110 liters
• Other alcohol: 10 liters
• Tobacco: 800 cigarettes, 200 cigars, or 1 kg of tobacco

Notes
Excess amounts brought into Poland are not recommended as the cost is greater than the retail price. It is also very difficult to obtain a license to import alcohol or tobacco. There are extremely high taxes, excise and duties that apply to any amount brought into Poland over the limit.

▲ to top

EXPORT OF HOUSEHOLD GOODS

Regulations, charges or restrictions may apply to household goods exports as they leave Albania and when they arrive at their destination country. Specialists at Move One Relocations are experts in local rules and industry regulations and will handle your transaction on both sides. At Move One Relocations we understand the importance of making a seamless transition as your foreign assignment in Albania is coming to an end, and are committed to making this possible.

• Copy of passport
• Inventory of goods
• If the import of their household goods took place before 2004, original documents from the import customs clearance are required in order to have the import bond released

EU citizens
There is no customs clearance for shipments leaving Poland for other EU countries

▲ to top

• Copy of passport
• Inventory of goods
• Copy of Polish ID Card

▲ to top

Diplomats exporting household goods and personal effects do not need to be present at the customs office for the customs clearance process. However they need to submit the following documents:

• Copy of passport
• Power of Attorney for custom agency to import the shipment which must be signed by the Embassy
• Inventory of goods written on Embassy letterhead (each assortment should be entered as a separate item), with total value

We will provide templates / examples. All above documents need to be stamped / attested by the respective Embassy.

▲ to top

The following items cannot be exported out of Poland:

• Weapons of all kinds
• Pornography
• Narcotics
• Toxic materials
• Radioactive materials

▲ to top

When exporting cars from Poland they do not need to be de-registered. Documents needed are:

• Polish registration document
• Insurance liability

▲ to top

When exporting antiques and paintings, the National Museum must see any paintings that may be of worth.

Export permits are issued at the National Museum and it takes approximately 2 weeks to get an export permit for such goods.

Special permissions from National Museum are needed to export the following goods to EU and non EU countries:

• Any paintings
• Any carpets, musical instruments, art effects and antiques made before 1955

Notes
It is prohibited to export any antiques that do not have an export permit.

▲ to top

Rifles
Several import permits are required depending on the type of the rifle which wants to be imported

Stuffed animals
CITES certificate

Notes
Before exporting any special item from Poland please contact our office in order to check the appropriate permit requirements, also make sure that these items can be imported to the destination country.

▲ to top

There are no limitations as to the amount of wine, spirits and tobacco that can be exported for personal consumption, however please note that import rules of the destination country must be followed to avoid problems with importing the alcohol and tobacco.

▲ to top