New Customs Duties on Non-EU Imports Take Effect July 1

Effective July 1, 2026, Poland's customs regulations for online shopping have undergone significant changes, affecting anyone purchasing goods from sellers outside the European Union.

What Changed

Previously, individuals could import goods valued up to €150 from non-EU countries without paying customs duty. As of July 1:

• The €150 duty-free threshold has been eliminated entirely
• All online purchases from non-EU sellers now incur a flat customs duty of €3 per item in the customs declaration
• The change applies to both individual consumers and entities declaring goods to customs authorities

This aligns Poland with broader EU e-commerce modernization efforts and is intended to level the playing field between EU and non-EU sellers, as well as to increase customs revenue.

Practical Impact

The change primarily affects purchases from major non-EU retailers (Amazon US, Alibaba, eBay sellers in the US, UK, China, etc.). While the €3 fee per item is relatively modest, consumers ordering multiple items from a single non-EU seller will pay €3 for each item. This makes small orders from non-EU sites less attractive compared to EU-based alternatives.

What This Means for Foreigners

If you regularly order items from your home country (US, UK, Canada, Asia) or from major non-EU e-commerce platforms, expect to pay an additional €3 fee per item in your purchase. Consolidating orders into fewer shipments can reduce total fees. For most routine purchases—especially higher-value items—the €3 duty is negligible. However, very small items (like a single book or accessory) become less economical to import individually. Consider using EU-based sellers or warehouses when possible to avoid the fee.

Sources

• Orbitax — Poland Notes Changes in e-Commerce from 1 July 2026