Moving To Poland

We Streamline the Moving Process

Customs Regulations for Poland

If you are relocating to Poland, you’ll need the proper documentation to clear customs and begin your life abroad. These are the necessary documents that should be received in advance of your shipment’s arrival in Poland:
- Original or notarized copy of passport
  - Most recent entry stamp required for clearance of personal effects (as unaccompanied luggage by air)
- Original work permit
  - Required for clearance of household goods (by air or ground)
- Work certificate from Polish employer (in Polish) -must state position and start/planned end date of employment, as well as legal status of shipper
- Company registration documents (updated and notarized)
- 3 copies of detailed inventory (“Packed By Owner” not acceptable)
  - Must include quantities and values of each item
  - Electrical items must include brand name and serial number
  - Artwork and antiques made before 1945 must be clearly marked on inventory and must include duplicate photos for customs processing
  - Must be submitted in advance
- Signed letter indicating that all items on inventory are your property and have been used abroad before import to Poland
- Customs clearance power of attorney documents
- Original or notarized copy of Polish home address (Zameldowanie)
- Bank guarantee as security for duty and value-added tax -returning citizens and diplomats exempt
- For diplomats:
  - Household shipments are duty-free
  - Must have letter from embassy and certificate from the Ministry of Foreign Affairs at destination, requesting clearance of shipment and confirming your legal status

SHIPPING REGULATIONS
To clear customs in Poland, you must also abide by specific shipping rules. Here are a few things to keep in mind:

All shipments are subject to inspection.
Customs clearance must be carried out within 20 days of your shipment’s arrival in Poland.
For returning Polish citizens, shipments are tax and duty-free with certificate from Polish Consulate at origin. Items may not be sold for at least two years after date of customs clearance.
Household goods can be imported tax and duty-free if:
- You will be living in Poland for more than six months (for foreigners)
- You have lived abroad for at least a year (for returning Polish citizens)
- Your items are re-exported (for foreigners)

Before shipping your personal effects and household goods to Poland, you should know which items are subject to duties, which items require special permission and which ones have limitations on quantity. Some of these items include:

Commercial goods that are large in quantity
Duplicate items -usually only one of each item is permitted duty-free
Foodstuff -must be reasonable quantity for personal consumption
Alcohol -limited to 2 liters
Tobacco -limited to 200 cigarettes, 50 cigars or 250 grams of loose tobacco
Plants -Phytosanitary Certificate required
Prescription medications -must be reasonable quantity for personal use AND requires current prescription from doctor in origin country

To make customs clearance easier, it is better to load all dutiable and restricted items last. This will allow personnel to access the items without having to unload everything in their way.

Poland, like many other countries, has a list of items that are not permitted for import under any circumstances. This list includes but is not limited to:

Illegal drugs and narcotics
Firearms and ammunition
Explosives
Toxic or radioactive materials
Pornographic materials

You may be planning on moving your automobile to Poland so you can get around more easily. To do this, you’ll need the proper documentation and you’ll have to pay the appropriate duties and taxes. Here are some of those necessary documents:

Certificate of origin
Original sales invoice (for new vehicles)
Value declaration signed by owner (for used vehicles)
Original title or registration -must be registered under name of current vehicle owner
Your driver’s license from origin country
International insurance policy
Make, model, registration and chassis number must be noted on inventory

If you are planning on bringing your pet into Poland, there are several things you should know. All pets are required to undergo a quarantine period before import, and they must be under the owner’s supervision on premises of new address for the six months following.

You will need these documents for your pet to clear customs:

Import permit
Health certificate issued by licensed veterinarian at origin country within 10 days of arrival in Poland
Rabies vaccination certificate obtained at least 30 days prior to departure of origin country (but no more than 9 months)

The European Union’s Common Customs Tariff (CCT) applies to all items imported from outside Europe. These duties are calculated using the CIF value of the items, in accordance with the CCT for all the nations of the European Union. The tariff is low, especially for industrial goods-roughly 4.2 percent on average. You can find the customs duties for items based on their country of origin in the TARIC database.

NOTE – Customs regulations are subject to change at any time. The proceeding information is a brief summary of customs regulations applicable to household goods shipments to this destination and is being provided for general guidance to assist our Agents and Customers. Since such regulations are subject to change without notice, International sea & air shipping cannot be held liable for any costs, damage, delays, or other detrimental events resulting from non-compliance. Always double check with your local embassy or consulate.

Call our International Moving Specialists @ 1 (866) 788-1090

How to Move to Poland

First, one of our trained moving specialists will provide a personal consultation, thoroughly outlining your moving options based on specific criteria, such as:

Your moving timeline. When do you need to be in Poland?
Your real estate plans. Will you be renting or buying?
Your family/household size. Will you be moving alone or with your family? For business or personal reasons?
Cubic feet estimate. How large is your shipment?

What Will Moving to Poland Cost?

For an accurate estimate of your shipment size, you should schedule a home survey as early as possible for your move to Poland. Our moving specialists will assess your belongings to give you the best potential estimate to expedite your relocation. The cost of moving to Poland will vary considerably based on the cubic footage of your belongings and your proposed destination arrival time.

Don’t forget to ask about our overseas packing and custom crating services, too!

About Poland

Sharing borders with Germany, the Czech Republic, Slovakia, Ukraine, Belarus and Lithuania, Poland is the ninth largest country in Europe. The nation also borders the Baltic Sea to the north. Poland is the 34th most populous country in the world, with nearly 39 million residents.

Poland’s capital and largest city is Warsaw, located on the Vistula River in the east-central area of the country. The official language of its people is Polish, but a regional language called Kashubian is also popular. This is sometimes considered a dialect of Polish.

Poland features a mostly temperate climate, with some oceanic areas in the north and west and some continental regions toward the south and east. The country has the fourth largest amount of forests in Europe, featuring about 30.5 percent forested land area. With the beautiful scenery and a booming economy because of exports like machinery and transport equipment, Poland is a great place to live.

Moving to Poland from the U.S.

If you are moving to Poland from the United States, there is plenty to consider before you head to Central Europe. With so much to prepare for, the last thing you want to worry about is the logistics of your complicated move.

International Sea & Air Shipping will make your transition to Poland as seamless as possible by providing top-notch shipping services for all of your household goods and much more!