Customs clearance Poland
Customs clearance as part of the transport process
With our in-house customs agency boasting over 30 years of experience, we offer professional and comprehensive customs clearance services.
Our offices are located in key cities across Poland: Gdańsk, Gdynia, Olsztyn, Tczew, Kwidzyn, and Iława, enabling fast and efficient customs processes.
On your behalf, as an intermediary, we will handle customs formalities at the customs office:
- Prepare customs clearance documents with the appropriate customs code
- Verify the CE conformity declaration
- Prepare excise tax declarations
- Calculate import and export duties
- Submit customs declarations
Customs clearance in Poland – what you need to know
Customs clearance is an administrative process that enables the legal importation or exportation of goods into or out of a country. A customs agency represents the client before customs authorities, manages all formalities, and ensures compliance with customs regulations.
Customs clearance plays a key role in the proper taxation of goods imported from third countries by applying customs duties.
In the European Union, a common customs tariff is applied, and duty rates are typically set as a percentage of the customs value of the goods. Information on duty rates can be found in tariff systems such as TARIC and ISZTAR, where national VAT and excise rates are also available.
Check more on Polish Government website
Do you need customs clearance of goods?
How long does customs clearance take?
The duration depends on various factors, including the type of goods, the availability of documents, and the efficiency of communication with customs authorities. In standard cases, customs clearance may take a few hours to a few days. The process can begin once authorization for a customs agent has been granted.
When using our services, you can count on efficient handling!
What is the customs clearance process?
Unlike its duration, the customs clearance process is predictable and repetitive. The process begins with the importer or exporter authorizing the customs agency and providing the necessary documents. Customs clearance involves preparing the declaration, submitting it to the Customs Office via the customs agent, and possibly undergoing customs inspections. The process concludes with the release of goods to the requested customs procedure.
Customs clearance documentation
What is the most important document for customs clearance?
The key documents required for customs clearance include the commercial invoice, shipping list, certificate of origin, and other specific documents required by the customs regulations of the importing or exporting country.
Types of customs clearance
There are three main types of customs clearance:
Import customs clearance: Necessary during goods importation, it involves checks and formalities for bringing goods into a country. This includes declaring goods to customs, providing required documents (e.g., invoice, shipping list, certificates of origin), paying duties and taxes (e.g., VAT), and potentially undergoing goods inspections.
Export customs clearance: This applies to goods being exported from a country. Similar to import clearance, it involves declaring goods to customs, providing appropriate customs clearance documents, and complying with all export regulations, such as obtaining export licenses or certificates of origin.
Transit customs clearance: This occurs when goods transit through a country on their way to a final destination. The process involves declaring the transit to customs, providing appropriate documents (e.g., transit customs document), and often securing financial guarantees (e.g., customs bond) in case of customs regulation violations.
Customs clearance types and VAT considerations
Depending on your needs, we offer assistance with standard and simplified customs clearance, where VAT can be settled in various modes according to regulations.
The three main types of customs clearance are:
- Definitive clearance: Goods are no longer under customs control after this clearance and are considered domestic or intra-community goods.
- Conditional (temporary) clearance: Applied when goods are temporarily brought into the country for specific purposes such as trade fairs, contests, processing, or repairs, with the intention of their subsequent re-export.
- Deferred clearance: Occurs when the customs office cannot immediately inspect the goods, transferring them to another customs office.
Consequences of no customs clearance in Poland
Failure to complete customs clearance may result in several negative consequences, including:
- Financial penalties
- Goods being held at the border
- Legal proceedings
Thus, it is crucial for every transaction to be properly declared and meet all requirements.