Car Customs Clearance from the UK to Poland — Questions and Answers 2026

Car Customs Clearance from the UK to Poland — Questions and Answers 2026

Importing a car from the United Kingdom to Poland is one of the most common customs procedures among Poles returning from the UK or buying a car on the British market. The process requires completing several customs and tax formalities on both sides of the border. Below you'll find answers to the most common questions.

How do you clear a car from the UK into Poland? — step by step

Importing a car from the UK to Poland works as follows:

1. Purchase in the UK and getting the documents: the V5C (UK registration certificate), a purchase invoice or sale contract
2. Transport to Poland: driving it yourself, or sending it by trailer / tow truck. Remember that after leaving the UK you'll need a temporary permit to enter Poland (export plates or an export document)
3. Customs declaration in Poland: lodging an SAD import declaration at the customs office (can be done through a customs agency)
4. Paying duty and import VAT: duty + VAT payable at clearance or under the simplified procedure
5. Excise duty (if applicable): passenger cars imported into Poland are subject to excise duty (3.1% for engines up to 2000 cm³, or 18.6% for engines over 2000 cm³)
6. Registration at the vehicle registration office: once all fees are paid and the SAD document is obtained

Questions and answers — a car from the UK

How much is the duty on a car from the UK in 2026?

Passenger cars (HS code 8703) imported from the UK are subject to the EU's standard duty rate of 10% of the customs value EU customs duties — gov.pl. The customs value is usually the purchase price plus the cost of transport to the EU border.

Exception — 0% rate: If the car was originally manufactured in Europe (e.g. a VW, BMW or Renault made in the EU) and you have documents proving its origin (a UK supplier's statement or an EUR.1), you may be able to claim 0% duty under the TCA. In practice, for used cars from the UK, obtaining TCA documents is difficult — most are subject to the 10% rate.

How much will I pay in total for a car bought for £10,000?

A sample calculation (approximate, at a rate of PLN 5.1/GBP):

An illustrative calculation. The exact amounts depend on the purchase date, the vehicle's specification and the current exchange rate.

What are relocation goods and do they get relief from duty?

Yes — if you're moving permanently from the UK to Poland, you can apply for duty relief on a car as relocation goods. The conditions:

• Living in the UK for a minimum of 12 months
• The car used in the UK for a minimum of 6 months (documented by insurance or an MOT)
• A permanent move (moving your centre of life to Poland)
• The car cannot be sold for 12 months after clearance

Required documents: proof of address or residence in the UK (utility bills, bank statements), the vehicle's UK insurance history, the V5C, and the purchase invoice or sale contract.

Is clearing an electric car from the UK cheaper?

Electric cars (BEVs) are exempt from excise duty, but duty is not reduced (HS code 8703.80 — 10%, the same as for petrol/diesel cars) EU customs duties — gov.pl. The excise exemption on electric vehicles can save PLN 1,500–5,000 depending on the car's value. Duty and VAT remain unchanged.

How quickly does car customs clearance go?

Through a customs agency acting under a power of attorney: you submit the documents electronically or by post, and clearance usually takes 1–3 business days. If the customs office requests a physical inspection — up to a week. The condition for a smooth clearance: complete documentation and no doubts about the customs value.

Do I need a customs agency to import a car?

It's not mandatory — private individuals can lodge the SAD themselves at the customs office. In practice, however, clearance through a customs agency is faster, safer (the agent is responsible for the accuracy of the declaration) and often cheaper than an incorrect submission that needs correcting. We set the cost of handling by a customs agency individually — ask for a quote.

Documents needed to clear a car from the UK

• The V5C (Certificate of Registration UK) — the original or a certified copy
• The purchase invoice or sale contract with the price in GBP
• Proof of the owner's identity (passport or ID card)
• An EORI number (for companies) or a PESEL number (for individuals)
• Insurance documents (for a relocation-goods application)
• A CE certificate of conformity or type approval (for registration)

Have questions about importing a specific vehicle? Ask the easyclearance.pl team — we reply within a few hours, 7 days a week.

Summary

• Duty on a car from the UK: 10% of the customs value (0% with TCA documents)
• VAT: 23% on the customs value + duty + transport costs
• Excise duty: depends on engine size and CO2 emissions
• Relocation-goods relief exempts you from duty and VAT if the conditions are met
• Clearance through an agency: 1–3 business days, cost set individually

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Need car customs clearance?

We provide a complete service for the customs clearance of cars brought in from the United Kingdom to Poland.

Call: +44 333 335 5072 or go to our contact form. An individual quote is provided once you've sent your documents.

A customs agency registered with CDS, UK EORI number.