Customs Clearance for Construction Machinery from the UK to Poland — Questions and Answers

Customs Clearance for Construction Machinery from the UK to Poland — Questions and Answers

Importing construction machinery from the United Kingdom is one of the more common reasons people contact a customs agency. Since Brexit, every machine — a backhoe loader, a lift, a crane or a compressor — requires full customs clearance with duty and VAT payable. Below we answer the questions we hear most often.

Questions and answers

What documents are needed to import construction machinery from the UK?

The standard set of documents:

• A commercial invoice with a description, serial number, value and Incoterms
• A packing list with weight and dimensions
• A CMR consignment note or a bill of lading for sea transport
• A CE certificate and a declaration of conformity (an EU requirement)
• An EUR.1 or exporter's statement on the invoice (0% duty under the TCA)
• The importer's EORI number

How much is the duty on construction machinery from the UK?

Duty rates on construction machinery (HS 8429–8430) range from 0% to 2.7% of the customs value. With an EUR.1/TCA document — 0%. On a machine worth PLN 100,000, the difference between a 0% and a 2.7% rate is PLN 2,700 — it's worth asking the supplier for a certificate of origin.

Does a machine from the UK need a CE certificate?

Yes — every machine sold in Poland must comply with the Machinery Directive 2006/42/EC and carry the CE mark. Check before buying: machines from the UK may carry UKCA marking (the UK's own certification) instead of CE — such machines cannot legally be placed on the EU market without recertification.

What is T1 and when do I need it?

T1 (EU External Transit) is needed when a machine travels from the UK through EU territory before being import-cleared in Poland. Example: the machine travels by ship to Rotterdam, then by lorry to Warsaw — the T1 is opened in Rotterdam and closed by the customs agency in Warsaw during import clearance.

How much does clearance handling for a machine cost?

We set the cost of handling by a customs agency individually — ask for a quote. On top of that, add duty, import VAT and any T1 costs. You can get a detailed quote for your machine through the easyclearance.pl contact form.

How long does customs clearance for a machine take?

With complete documents: 2 to 24 hours for the clearance itself. Transport time from the UK is usually 2–4 days by road. A physical inspection by the customs office can extend this to 48–72 hours — this happens with random selection or when the machine's customs value raises questions.