Despite the war, more and more Ukrainian companies are expanding their operations and entering international markets. One of the most promising and convenient destinations for this is the neighboring country of Poland. Learn more about the peculiarities of legalizing the sale of Ukrainian goods in Poland

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Doing international trade is a real challenge, not only from an economic but also from a legal point of view. Goods need to be imported transparently and in compliance with all customs rules, as violation of EU laws can cause serious damage to your business. We will tell you more about what is required in our article.

To learn more about the global ranking of the difficulty of doing business in 2024, please follow the link.

Market research and selection of an implementation model

The development of a new trade area should begin with an analysis of the Polish market. You need to assess the demand for products, the scope of competitors' activities, and the cultural and consumer habits of the target audience. To simplify the entry into a new market, it is worth finding local partners: distributors or chain stores.

Ukrainian goods in Poland can be sold through direct exports. Then you will deliver products directly to Polish partners. Another possible option is to open your branch. But in this case, you will have to register a company in Poland. The simplest sales model is online sales. You can use Allegro, Amazon.pl, and other popular marketplaces for this purpose.

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Legalization of business in Poland

If your business is registered in Ukraine, it has no legal force in Poland, which means you cannot pay Polish duties or VAT. To officially import goods, you need to register your own company in this country.

The most popular form for registering a legal entity in Poland is the form of an LLC (Sp. z o.o.). It is also a mandatory requirement to obtain a VAT identification number to conduct commercial activities. Some categories of products require certification in accordance with European standards (CE).

The registration process can be completed independently, but due to the large number of nuances and legislative peculiarities, it is easy to make mistakes without experience. To avoid risks, it is recommended to contact lawyers or specialized agencies that provide services for starting a business in Poland. They will not only help with registration, but also provide support in solving other organizational issues.

Payment of duties and VAT is possible only through a Polish bank account. You can open an account only in person. If you cannot leave Ukraine due to martial law, you can appoint another person as the founder of the company. The process of opening an account usually does not take much time and lasts only one business day.

In our previous article, we explained how to open a foreign bank account for a Ukrainian business.

EORI and VAT registration for trade in Poland

After registering a company and opening a bank account in Poland, the next step is to obtain an EORI number. This is a unique registration identification number that is mandatory for entrepreneurs who export, import or transit goods within the EU. The EORI number is checked at customs, as well as by European partners who want to make sure that the imported goods are legal.

In addition, you need to register as a VAT (value-added tax) payer. In Poland, the VAT rate is 23%, and this tax is paid when goods are imported until they are sold. All importers are required to become VAT payers. There is a special online service for checking the payer's registration, which allows partners to assess the reliability and legality of cooperation with your company.

Obtaining customs accreditation

To sell Ukrainian goods in Poland, you need to obtain customs accreditation from the sender's company. Accreditation can be obtained online in just a couple of minutes in your account on the website of the State Customs Service of Ukraine. Legal export of goods is not possible without accreditation.

Earlier, we told you that Zelensky signed a law on tax increases.

Customs documents

The last stage of preparation for trading in the Polish market is the preparation of customs documents. First of all, you need to obtain an invoice, which includes the data of the sender, recipient and manufacturer, a description of the goods, and information about the contract. You also need a contract drawn up in Ukrainian and English. For the broker to process your information for customs clearance, you need to issue a notarized power of attorney. And the last step is to obtain a DTD and a questionnaire for the logistician.

Cost of delivery of goods from Ukraine to Poland

Delivery of goods through most logistics operators costs about the same. For example, transportation of a pallet measuring 120x80x180 will cost 180 euros. It's important to note that even if the pallet is partially filled, the cost of delivery does not change.

In addition, customs clearance costs should be taken into account. The customs declaration costs 55 euros for each code and an additional 2.5 euros for each subsequent code. You also need to pay 23% VAT and customs duty, which depends on the product code and usually amounts to 6-8%.

If you need advice on doing business in Poland, please contact Visit Ukraine's lawyers for professional assistance. You can sign up for a consultation through a messenger convenient for you (WhatsApp/Telegram) or through the form on the website.

On the Visit Ukraine portal, you can order legal advice on business issues for both Ukrainians and foreigners.

We remind you! The IT sector has long been one of the main drivers of Ukraine's economy. However, for its further growth, it is important to create conditions that meet the challenges of today and ensure competitiveness in the global market. Read more about why Diia City is a unique legal regime for IT companies.

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