Poland customs rules & duty-free allowances
Poland's duty-free allowance for non-resident adults arriving from outside the EU is 1 litre of spirits (over 22% ABV) OR 2 litres of wine/beer (under 22% ABV), 200 cigarettes OR 100 cigarillos (max 3g each) OR 50 cigars OR 250g smoking tobacco (any combination allowed as long as total does not exceed 100% of one allowance), and personal goods up to €430 (approx. 1,850 PLN) duty-free for air/sea travellers, €300 (approx. 1,290 PLN) for land travellers. Cash of €10,000 or more (approx. USD 10,800) must be declared in writing. Strict bans include narcotics, counterfeit goods, and meat/dairy from non-EU countries.
Duty-free allowances
Prohibited — banned from import
- Narcotics and psychotropic substances (including cannabis, heroin, cocaine, MDMA)
- Counterfeit goods (fake branded items, pirated software)
- Endangered species products (ivory, rhino horn, certain furs) without CITES permit
- Meat and dairy products from non-EU countries (except limited quantities from approved countries)
- Firearms, ammunition, and explosives without a Polish permit
- Radioactive materials and hazardous waste
Restricted — allowed with a permit or declaration
- Medicines containing controlled substances (e.g., codeine, morphine) – require a doctor's prescription and a personal declaration
- Plants, seeds, and soil – require a phytosanitary certificate
- Drones (unmanned aircraft) – require registration and insurance if over 250g
- Cultural artifacts (antiques, artworks over 100 years old) – require an export permit from the Ministry of Culture
- Satellite phones – require a license from the Office of Electronic Communications
Rules worth knowing
EU vs non-EU rules
If arriving from another EU country, there are no duty-free limits for personal use (except for tobacco and alcohol in commercial quantities). The allowances above apply only to arrivals from outside the EU.
Cash declaration threshold
Any person entering or leaving Poland with cash or equivalent monetary instruments (cheques, money orders) totalling €10,000 or more must declare it in writing. Failure to declare can result in seizure and fines.
Tobacco allowance for non-EU travellers
The 200-cigarette limit is per person. If you bring a combination (e.g., 100 cigarettes + 25 cigars), the total must not exceed 100% of one full allowance (e.g., 100 cigarettes = 50% of allowance, 25 cigars = 50% of allowance, total 100%).
Goods value limit for land travellers
If entering by car, bus, or on foot from a non-EU country, the duty-free goods limit is €300 (approx. 1,290 PLN) instead of €430 for air/sea travellers.