Moving to Poland – duty-free household removal goods with an inventory list in duplicate

The conditions for duty-free removal goods (mienie przesiedlenia) are summarised above. For many households things get complicated with the car, because in Poland customs duty, excise and VAT are three separate questions. This section sorts them out and names the goods that are excluded from the exemption from the outset.

Excluded goods according to the Ministry of Finance

According to podatki.gov.pl, the following are excluded from the customs exemption: alcoholic products, tobacco and tobacco products, means of transport for commercial purposes and items used to practise a trade or profession – with the exception of portable instruments. The goods must also be intended for the same purpose in the new home as before.

A violin or a laptop for work can therefore count as removal goods, whereas a joinery's workbench cannot. It is best to clarify such distinctions before packing, so that they do not first come up at the border. Household supplies and personal belongings are not affected by this restriction; the only deciding factor is professional use.

Duty-free does not mean tax-free

The government portal powroty.gov.pl stresses that a customs exemption does not automatically exempt you from VAT and excise – these are separate procedures. For excise, the rule for removal goods only concerns the passenger car. One of the conditions is that you have used the car yourself for at least 6 months before the move and do not sell it, rent it out or hand it over to a third party for 12 months.

Important for the self-employed: according to an interpretation published on powroty.gov.pl, merely adding the car to a company's fixed assets within the 12 months leads to loss of the excise exemption, because business use also counts as passing it on.

Excise procedure for the car: AKC-US and WZZA

According to powroty.gov.pl, for the excise exemption you submit an AKC-US declaration via the PUESC platform as well as a WZZA application with supporting documents and stamp duty. The declaration must be submitted within 14 days of the tax liability arising, but no later than the day the vehicle is registered. The certificate is issued no later than 7 days after the application.

So the order matters: excise first, then registration. Clarify in advance with the tax office which documents proving use of the car in Switzerland must be attached to the application. If you drive the car to Poland yourself while we transport the household goods, note the deadline from the border crossing in your calendar.

Checklist for moving to Poland

• Check professional items: only portable instruments are covered by the exemption.
• Do not pack alcohol and tobacco with your removal goods.
• Have proof of 6 months of private use of the car ready.
• Submit AKC-US via PUESC and the WZZA application on time.
• Do not sell or rent out the car in the first year or add it to business fixed assets.
• In Switzerland, declare the export during opening hours at a customs office for commercial goods traffic (BAZG, the Federal Office for Customs and Border Security).

The information from the Polish tax administration is authoritative; check your case in advance with the responsible customs and tax office. For moves to neighbouring countries see moving to Germany; all destinations under international removals.

Frequently asked questions

Who collects the documents for the spis rzeczy, and which ones are needed?
You collect the documents, we keep the list: during the inspection we record furniture and appliances, and you have purchase receipts, invoices or other evidence ready showing ownership and use. Which evidence is sufficient in an individual case is decided by the Polish customs administration, so it is best to ask there before packing.

How do we split our household goods if they go to Poland in two shipments?
According to a plan we set together during the inspection: what you need in the first weeks travels with the first load, and the rest stays in our dry, alarm-protected storage. We label every box with its shipment so that it is clearly assigned in the inventory list and when loading later.

How do movers check access to a new flat in Warsaw, Kraków or Gdańsk?
With photos or a short video that you or acquaintances on site take of the building entrance, stairwell, lift and street. From this we plan team size, protective material and, if necessary, a furniture lift. Whether a permit is needed for the stopping place at the destination is best checked with the building management or the city.

Where do I dispose of furniture that should not go to Poland?
You do not have to do it yourself: we take old furniture and household goods away while still in Switzerland and dispose of them properly. That saves loading space on the long route to Poland and keeps the inventory list short. Set aside anything you want to sell or give away separately before moving day.

When should I pack documents and valuables for a move to Poland?
Ideally a few days before moving day, separately from the rest of the household goods. ID documents, papers for customs and the tax office, jewellery and vehicle documents belong in a bag that travels with you to Poland. That way they are at hand at every check and do not disappear into a box.

What do you do to make sure glass and electronics survive the journey to Poland?
We pad screens, glasses and mirrors with protective material, pack fragile items tightly in sturdy boxes and stand glass panels upright. In the van everything is strapped down so that nothing shifts on the long route. The transport to Poland is also insured.

What happens to a piano that comes from Switzerland to Poland?
It travels as part of the household goods if you play it privately and not professionally, and is therefore on the inventory list. We pad the casing all round, secure the instrument upright in the vehicle and carry it to its place at the destination address. We assess stairs at the destination from your photos for the quote.

Why is a cost ceiling worthwhile for removals to Poland?
Because volume, partial shipments and access at the destination can change the effort. After the free inspection we can, on request, set a cost ceiling or a fixed price that applies to the whole job. That way you plan your fresh start in Poland with a clear maximum amount.

What are the requirements for pets when moving to Poland?
The BLV (Federal Food Safety and Veterinary Office) lists a microchip, a valid rabies vaccination and the pet passport for dogs, cats and ferrets. For EU countries such as Poland, national regulations may also apply, which you should check in advance. Your pet travels with you in the car, and the papers stay at hand in the glove compartment.