Import guide · Poland
How to Import Cars from China to Poland
Poland has become one of the fastest-growing European destinations for Chinese vehicles — new-energy models the local market does not stock, and used cars at prices the local market cannot match. This guide walks through the full route: costs, taxes, shipping, homologation and registration, based on the shipments we run to Gdańsk and Gdynia.
What the landed cost is made of
| Cost block | Indicative level |
|---|---|
| Vehicle (FOB China) | Model-dependent — see our used stock and new catalog |
| Ocean freight + insurance | ≈ US$1,500–2,500 per car (container share, Shanghai/Ningbo → Gdańsk/Gdynia) |
| EU import duty | 10% of CIF value |
| Polish VAT | 23% of (CIF + duty) |
| Excise (akcyza) | ≈ 3.1% (petrol ≤ 2.0L) / 18.6% (> 2.0L); BEVs exempt, hybrids reduced |
| Customs agency + registration | A few hundred EUR |
Rates are indicative as of publication and change — your customs agency confirms the exact figures for a specific VIN. Note that new Chinese-built battery-electric cars additionally carry EU countervailing duties that vary by manufacturer; petrol and plug-in hybrid models are unaffected.
The process, step by step
- 1Quote & spec
Tell us the model, condition (new or used) and your target budget. You get a CIF Gdańsk/Gdynia quote with the vehicle price, freight and documentation listed separately.
- 2Deposit & inspection
Standard terms are a 30% T/T deposit with the balance against the Bill of Lading. Before shipment you receive the VIN, a photo/video condition report and — for EVs and hybrids — a battery health check.
- 3Shipping
Container loading with lashing at a Chinese port, then a 35–45 day voyage to Gdańsk/Gdynia. You receive the Commercial Invoice, Packing List, Bill of Lading and Certificate of Origin.
- 4Clearance & registration
Your Polish customs agency clears the car (duty + VAT + akcyza), then the car goes through COC-based or individual approval and standard rejestracja. We support the document side throughout.
Homologation: COC or individual approval
Every car registered in Poland needs proof it meets EU technical requirements. Models sold officially in the EU come with a Certificate of Conformity (COC) and register directly. Chinese-market models without EU type approval go through individual approval (dopuszczenie jednostkowe) — a technical inspection that checks lighting, glass, emissions documentation and safety equipment. It adds time and a fee, so the honest answer differs per model: before you commit to a car, we tell you which path it takes. Chinese cars are left-hand drive, so there is no drive-side conversion involved.
The shortcut: stock already in Poland
For some models we hold stock inside Poland — no sea freight, no clearance wait, local handover. Current example: the Mazda EZ-60 EREV with 21 units in the country.
Frequently asked questions
Budget four blocks: the vehicle price, ocean freight from a Chinese port to Gdańsk/Gdynia (a container share typically runs US$1,500–2,500 per car), EU import duty of 10% on the CIF value, Polish VAT of 23% on (CIF + duty), plus Polish excise tax (akcyza) — roughly 3.1% for petrol engines up to 2.0L and 18.6% above 2.0L, with battery-electric vehicles exempt. A customs agency and registration add a few hundred euros more.
Document preparation and port booking take 5–10 working days for in-stock vehicles, and the container voyage from Shanghai or Ningbo to Gdańsk/Gdynia typically runs 35–45 days. Plan on roughly 6–8 weeks from deposit to the car standing in a Polish port.
Yes. Chinese-market cars are left-hand drive, which matches Polish roads. Registration requires customs clearance documents plus either a Certificate of Conformity (COC) for models with EU type approval or an individual approval (dopuszczenie jednostkowe) for models without one. We confirm which path applies to a specific model before you commit.
New Chinese-built battery-electric vehicles are subject to additional EU countervailing duties on top of the standard 10% — the rate varies by manufacturer. Petrol cars, hybrids and plug-in hybrids are not affected, which is one reason PHEV models like the BYD Qin Plus DM-i are popular Poland-bound choices. Always confirm the current rate for a specific model with your customs agency.
Get a CIF Gdańsk/Gdynia quote
Tell us the model and condition — you get the full cost build-up, VIN photos and shipping schedule before any payment.
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