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Outside the EU - Poland

Updated 11/2010

Legal requirements

Exporting goods

The export of goods to other countries is regulated by the import regulations of those countries.  Rules governing exports can be found on the following websites:

Importing goods

The import of goods into the EU, including Poland, is regulated by EU regulations (common customs tariffs, tariff measures, non-tariff measures and protective measures). Details of the trade measures the EU member states apply to goods from other countries can be found on the following websites:

State support for exports

There is a system of financial instruments to support exports in Poland, which covers:

Export credit insurance

The insurance of export credits and contracts covers damages caused by events defined as trade risks, political events, and force majeure (including riots, revolutions, earthquakes, eruption of volcanoes, floods, etc.).  The Export Credit Insurance Corporation offers government guarantees.

  • Export Credit Insurance Corporation polski
  • Guaranteed Export Insurance Act polski

Interest subsidies for export credits

The programme of interest subsidies for export credits supports both exporters and importers who are involved in export transactions.  The guaranteed fixed interest rate on export credits is the key benefit of the programme.

  • Act on interest subsidies for export credits with fixed interest rates and the related regulation polski

Guarantees and sureties for export support ventures

The state can give guarantees and sureties for export support ventures provided that the credit is used to finance investment ventures aimed at developing export of goods and services.

The National Credit Guarantee Fund (KFPK) at the Bank Gospodarstwa Krajowego is one of the entities, which according to the Act, is authorised to provide guarantees and sureties.

The purpose of KFPK funds is to secure the repayment of bank credits and loans, and interests on these credits and loans, as well as to secure liabilities arising from the bonds guaranteed by Bank Gospodarstwa Krajowego, which may be used to finance export contracts.

  • Act on guarantees and sureties provided by the State Treasury and certain other legal persons polski
 

Administrative procedures

Exporting goods

Each product leaving the EU customs territory through the Polish customs area is subject to standard customs clearance procedures, in which export declarations are used. Declarations comprise a SAD document (Single Administrative Document) and other necessary documents.

  • Instructions for completing the SAD document - Ministry of Finance polski

Importing goods

Companies that intend to import goods from countries outside the EU must submit the appropriate documents according to EU law (including a customs value declaration, certificate of origin, etc).

It should be remembered that the import of some goods (for example, steel) require additional permits.

  • Appropriate application forms polski     Online government service
  • Information on steel imports polski

All requirements concerning the documents stem from EU regulations.  All information on current duties and non-tariff measures on goods arriving from other countries can be found on the TARIC website.

Resources

The Foreign Markets section of the website of the Polish Chamber of Commerce provides information for businesses interested in selling goods and services outside Poland.

  • Foreign markets polski

The Exporter's Club offers practical information on legal regulations in countries outside the EU.

  • Exporter's Club polski

A lot of valuable information on the conditions of trading with other countries, can be found on the handelUE.pl website of the Institute for Market, Consumption and Business Cycles Research.

  • HandelUE.pl polski

Information is available on the Ministry of Economy website, in the Foreign Trade section, as well as on the website of the European Commission Directorate General for Trade, the section concerned with EU joint trade policy towards other countries.  It also includes information on the current work of the World Trade Organization.

Programmes

The Polish Ministry of Economy offers funding to promote exports under the EU's de minimis aid scheme, which covers:

  • sector-specific promotional efforts,
  • certification, promotional publications and export support ventures,
  • ministry awards,
  • sponsorship.
  • De minimis aid programmes polski

Support for companies operating in foreign markets is provided through financing from the Structural Funds allowing them to take part in international trade fairs, exhibitions and trade missions (under the Innovative Economy programme).

Support may be provided at national and regional level as part of the Passport to Exporting Regional Operational Programme.

  • Regional Operational Programme Passport to Exporting polski

The statutory aim of the Polish Export Development Foundation is to support Polish exports outside the EU through public funding.

  • Polish Export Development Foundation polski

The Bank Gospodarstwa Krajowego offers loans and bonds, and supports campaigns aimed at supporting export by providing guarantees from the National Credit Guarantee Fund.

Check also the legislation on this topic in:

  • References

    Legal texts

    • Act of 8 June 2001 on interest subsidies for export credits with fixed interest rates (Journal of Laws 2001, No 73, item 762, Journal of Laws 2004, No 173, item 1808) polski
    • Act of 7 July 1994 on export insurance guaranteed by the State Treasury (Journal of Laws 2001, No 59, item 609, as amended) polski
    • Act of 8 May 1997 on guarantees and sureties provided by the State Treasury and certain other legal persons (Journal of Laws 2003, No 174, item 1689, as amended) polski

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Further help

Export Credit Insurance Corporation of the State Treasury helps reduce risks involved in conducting business abroad by evaluating the creditworthiness of contracting parties and offering to cover costs of repayment insurance.

  • Export Credit Insurance Corporation polski

Trade specialists at Polish embassies offer free business advice. They match business partners and organise their meetings, organise promotional ventures for companies, and help companies enter foreign markets.  Information is also available on the Internet.

  • Trade and Investment Promotion polski

Practical advice and information on export is available on the export promotion portal created by the Ministry of Economy. In addition, it contains information useful to Polish businesses operating outside the EU.

The International Cooperation Office of the Polish Chamber of Commerce also helps companies conduct business outside Poland.

  • Polish Chamber of Commerce: International Cooperation Office polski

The Chamber also has a separate specialist business unit providing comprehensive support for promoting foreign trade, particularly campaigns supporting export relating to eastern markets.

  • Business unit polski