Why Poland as a first EU market
- EU single market: goods cleared in Poland can be sold in all EU countries; product rules (GPSR, CE, REACH) are the same as in Germany.
- Logistics position: Poland borders Germany, the Czech Republic, Slovakia and Lithuania, and has large warehouse and logistics centres serving Central Europe.
- Rail gateway from China: the Małaszewicze terminal on Poland’s eastern border is the main rail entry point for China–Europe freight; industry sources put its share of China–Europe rail traffic at roughly 85–90%. It is located in the Biała Podlaska area. The border crossing there has been closed at times (for example in September 2025), so plan alternatives for time-critical goods.
- Buyers used to importing: many Polish wholesalers and online sellers already import from Asia and understand FOB terms and container planning.
Who buys in Poland
| Buyer type | What they want | How to reach them |
|---|---|---|
| Importers and wholesalers | Competitive price, container or mixed-container orders, stable quality | Direct outreach in Polish, fairs, referrals |
| Online sellers (Allegro and own shops) | Products with demand online, small trial orders, fast stock in Poland, good photos and Polish descriptions | Direct contact, B2B portals, samples |
| Retail chains | Reliable supplier, Polish labels, documents, logistics to central warehouses | Through an importer or a local representative; category buyers |
| Companies and institutions | Promotional items, equipment, supplies; invoices from a Polish or EU company | Search in Polish, tenders, direct contact |
| Installers and specialist dealers | Technical support, spare parts, Polish documentation | Distributors and dealer networks |
Allegro: how a factory can sell there
Allegro is Poland’s leading online marketplace and also runs allegro.cz, allegro.sk and allegro.hu for the Czech Republic, Slovakia and Hungary. International sellers can register directly through an English-language registration process. Before you start, consider:
- Compliance: listings need the manufacturer and EU responsible-person information required by the GPSR, plus Polish warnings and instructions.
- Delivery expectations: Polish buyers are used to fast delivery. Selling from stock in Poland is usually far more competitive than shipping each order from China.
- Customer service and returns in Polish, within the platform’s time limits.
- Price competition: many similar products are already listed; a clear brand, good content and reviews matter.
- Alternative: instead of selling yourself, sell to existing Allegro sellers in Poland as a supplier. This avoids running a consumer shop.
Language
Under the Polish Language Act, consumer-facing information in Poland must be in Polish — this includes product names, warnings, consumer information required by law, instructions and warranty terms. For B2B communication English is accepted by many importers, but Polish offers and calls get noticeably more attention from small and mid-size companies. Prepare at least: a Polish product sheet and price list, Polish labels and instructions, and a contact who can answer in Polish or a partner who does.
Payment habits
- B2B: bank transfer in PLN or EUR is standard. Buyers often ask for payment terms after delivery once trust exists; first orders from new suppliers are frequently paid partly in advance. Trade credit insurance can make terms safer.
- Consumers: online, BLIK (a Polish mobile payment system) is widely used — its operator reported nearly 3 billion transactions in 2025 — alongside cards, fast bank transfers and cash on delivery. Marketplaces handle consumer payments for you.
- Currency: Poland uses the złoty (PLN); many importers also buy in USD or EUR.
Logistics: Poland as a hub
- Sea freight to Gdańsk or Gdynia, or via Hamburg and Rotterdam, then by truck.
- Rail from China through Małaszewicze to Polish terminals.
- A warehouse in Poland can serve Polish buyers in one to two days and neighbouring countries by road.
- Returns handling in Poland is useful for marketplace sales, where consumers return goods locally.
Does a Polish warehouse need VAT registration?
In general terms: if goods in a Polish warehouse are owned by your company and you sell them from there, your company usually has to register for VAT in Poland before the first taxable transaction. Poland has no registration threshold for non-established businesses, and most non-EU companies must appoint a Polish fiscal representative. If your Polish buyer or a partner company imports and owns the stock, the VAT obligations are theirs. Rules have exceptions and change; confirm your setup with a Polish tax adviser before shipping stock.
Step by step: entering Poland
- Check EU compliance and Polish labels for your products.
- Prepare a price list for Polish buyers (EXW/FOB and, if possible, delivered to Poland).
- Translate the offer and product sheets into Polish.
- Build a list of importers, wholesalers and online sellers that already sell your category.
- Contact them in Polish; send samples to interested buyers.
- Decide on the import model: buyer imports, partner imports and stocks, or your own setup.
- Consider Allegro, either directly or through Polish sellers.
- Use Poland as a base for the Czech Republic, Slovakia and Germany once sales are stable.
Checklist
- GPSR responsible operator and Polish warnings on labels
- Polish product sheets, instructions and price list
- Import model and VAT position confirmed
- EPR registration for packaging and, if relevant, electrical equipment and batteries
- Logistics route and delivery time to Poland
- Contact person for Polish buyers
From Poland to neighbouring markets
Once you have stock and a partner in Poland, nearby markets are easier to reach:
- Germany — the largest EU market, reachable by road from western Poland in hours. German buyers expect German labels and documentation. See Germany.
- Czech Republic and Slovakia — close to southern Poland; Allegro also operates allegro.cz and allegro.sk.
- Hungary — served by allegro.hu and by road through Slovakia.
- Lithuania, Latvia, Estonia — reachable by road from north-eastern Poland.
Each country still needs its own language on consumer labels and, for packaging and electrical goods, its own EPR registration.
Common mistakes in Poland
- Assuming that Polish buyers only care about the lowest price. Many compare quality, delivery reliability and service as carefully as German buyers.
- Sending offers only in English to small and mid-size companies.
- Listing on Allegro without Polish customer service or local stock.
- Shipping own stock to a Polish warehouse without checking the VAT position first.
- Forgetting that Polish consumer labels and instructions must be in Polish.
Trade fairs and events in Poland
Poland has its own trade fairs for home, gifts and furniture, for example at Ptak Warsaw Expo near Warsaw and at the Poznań International Fair. They attract mainly Polish and Central European buyers and are a lower-cost way to meet them than the large German fairs. Dates for 2027 are listed in our guide to European trade fairs in 2027. Many Polish buyers also visit the large fairs in Germany and the Canton Fair, so a meeting can be arranged there.
Polish buyers usually plan seasonal ranges several months ahead, so contact them early — for Christmas and gift products, in the first half of the year.
How we can help
EnjoyGroup Sp. z o.o. is registered in Biała Podlaska, Poland. We work with Polish shops, wholesalers and companies, run our own store on Allegro, and have warehouse and logistics in Poland. We can introduce your products to Polish buyers in Polish, act as GPSR responsible person, or import and stock your goods. See Poland, EU warehouse and apply.
