There are strict rules and restrictions when crossing the border. What is allowed to be brought with you, and what should definitely be removed from your luggage? Experts from the DiFFreight company explain. These recommendations apply to transport, i.e., when you are going through customs control as a tourist or a holder of business. We provide cargo delivery from Ukraine to Poland and have significant experience in organizing logistics and customs procedures.
Limits on transporting permitted goods
In this article, we will focus on crossing the border by car, through pedestrian checkpoints, and by train.
The list of allowed items includes:
Each of these items can be transported up to 2 kg in original packaging. The law is unclear regarding the amount of grains, as it does not regulate the quantity for the general category or individually.
Fish and seafood are allowed but only in gutted form. Here are the limits:
There is also a limit on rare types of caviar, such as black sturgeon caviar—up to 125 g.
Formally, there has been no restriction on importing vegetables, fruits, and canned products since 2019, unlike meat and dairy products (which we will cover below). Importing up to 2 kg is allowed for all products except potatoes, and only for personal use.
Cargo is subject to regulations by Poland’s customs services and those of the European Union. Goods, in addition to export declarations, invoices, and other documents, are accompanied by certificates and permits for the EU zone. What is prohibited from being brought into the country:
If you are unsure whether a shipment can be brought into Poland, contact the DiFFreight logistics company. Our professional brokers will advise you on which documents are mandatory for successful customs clearance.
This term refers to items for personal use. Typically, when passing through Polish customs, there are no issues with clothing, basic electronics (laptop, camera, phone), cosmetics, etc. However, there are value limits.
Personal items, souvenirs, and gifts worth up to the equivalent of 300 EUR and 150 EUR for those under 15 can be brought through without any issues.
We recommend removing tags from new items so they are not seen as commercial goods. Each type of equipment can be carried without packaging, with only one unit per type. Of course, your items may be worth more in total, but if it is obvious they have been used, the customs will likely not require them to be declared.
These items are strictly regulated by quantity and volume. For tobacco and nicotine-containing products:
For alcohol, the system is more complex:
Please note: unlike cigarettes, the limits are cumulative. That is, you cannot bring separately 2 liters of fortified wine and 2 liters of regular wine, as the latter falls under the "up to 22%" group.
Transporting homemade alcohol is not recommended. Customs officers cannot identify the liquid without an expert opinion. In the best case, it will be seized and disposed of; in the worst case, you will have to pay for the expert opinion or face a fine.
The limits apply to individuals aged 17 and over. You cannot pack "extra alcohol" for a child under this age.
Over-the-counter medicines and dietary supplements up to 5 packages per item. Keep the boxes so they can be identified at customs control. It is important to note that psychotropic and narcotic drugs are prohibited from being brought into Poland. The exception is if you need to continue treatment, but you must obtain permission from the Chief Pharmaceutical Inspector of the Republic of Poland.
During inspection, you should have no more than 10,000 EUR. This limit applies to money in any currency. You cannot bring 10,000 EUR and 5,000 USD into the country without declaring them. The limit also applies to travel checks, bills of exchange, gold, and platinum currency.
When you arrive at the checkpoint, be prepared for a thorough inspection. Luggage and small bags are screened through an X-ray machine. Vehicles, including the trunk, are also inspected. Customs officers pay close attention to the following:
DiFFreight strongly advises not to argue with customs officers. You may find yourself in a situation where you must prove what you are transporting. If you are caught with prohibited items such as sausages, dispose of them. For more serious violations, you could face fines or several years in prison.
In addition to the obvious—firearms, ammunition, chemicals—another important category of prohibited goods is meat and dairy products:
These sanctions apply even to store-bought products. Exceptions are made when crossing the border for dry infant milk and food (with medical confirmation) and animal feed due to health conditions (in unopened and undamaged packaging). Eggs and egg products without meat or dairy components can be transported. Each item is limited to 2 kg.
To avoid sending a sausage stick to travel over the border or treating fellow passengers to lard, do not bring these products to customs control. The checkpoint’s work depends on the shift, so some customs officers may allow you to pass with sandwiches, while others may not. But according to the rules, you are not allowed to bring any meat or dairy products.
Other categories of prohibited goods include:
What is allowed and what is prohibited from being carried through the Polish border — this is a pretty clear, albeit extensive list of rules. If you wish to organize a delivery to the Republic of Poland or vice versa, contact DiFFreight. During consultations, we will discuss licenses, customs tariffs, and other nuances for commercial shipments.
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