Planning your move to Poland? Whether you're relocating from the US, UK, or another non-EU country, understanding how to legally and efficiently import your household goods can save you thousands of euros. In this guide, we'll walk you through consular certificates, customs rules, duty exemptions — and how Residence Angels can support you at every step: from paperwork to housing, schools, and immigration formalities.
🧾 What Is a Certificate for Moving to Poland from the Polish Consulate?
Contrary to what the name suggests, there is no single official "certificate for moving to Poland". However, Polish consulates can issue documents confirming:
- Your change of permanent residence to Poland
- Eligibility for duty-free import of household goods or a vehicle
- Support for customs clearance during international relocation
These are often informally referred to as:
- "Certificate for Moving to Poland Duty-Free"
- "Certificate from Polish Consulate for Moving Household Goods"
This type of document is especially useful when dealing with customs or claiming VAT/duty exemptions upon entry to Poland.
💡 Need help getting this certificate or understanding whether it applies in your case? Residence Angels can assist you with documentation, translations, and communication with the Polish consulate in Los Angeles, Chicago, or wherever you're based.
📦 What Can You Import Duty-Free When Moving to Poland?
Polish customs regulations allow duty-free importation of used household goods (furniture, electronics, kitchenware, clothing) and motor vehicles, if:
- The items were owned and used for at least 6 months
- You're moving your permanent residence to Poland
- You've lived abroad for at least 12 months
- You're not reselling or transferring them for at least a year after import
🛑 Beware: new items, bulk purchases (e.g., cleaning supplies), or items not considered "personal use" may trigger full duties and VAT.
According to Polish law, personal property (mienie przesiedlenia) includes:
- Household furniture and equipment
- Bicycles, motorcycles, personal vehicles and trailers, campers, boats, private planes
- Household supplies for family needs, pets, and portable professional tools
Exemptions do not apply to:
- Alcohol and tobacco products
- Goods for business use or resale
- Commercial transport or tools outside of portable professional use
🚗 Duty-Free Vehicle Import to Poland
To avoid high import taxes (up to 65% in excise duties), you must meet these criteria:
Age - Car must be older than 6 months or 6,000 km
Ownership - Registered in your name in origin country
Residence - You must relocate to Poland for 6+ months
Usage - Personal use only; no selling/leasing for 12 months
Even with duty and VAT exemption, excise tax (3.1%–65%) may still apply depending on engine size and year.
You will need:
- Vehicle title and registration
- Proof of insurance
- Proof of residence abroad for 12+ months (e.g. employment contract, tax certificate)
- Polish translation of all key documents
💡 Residence Angels helps you evaluate whether it’s worth shipping your vehicle or buying one in Poland.
📑 Required Documents for Duty-Free Import
Polish customs will expect a comprehensive file, including:
- Passport (and visa page)
- Residence permit (Karta Pobytu or PESEL)
- Packing list & Bill of Lading
- Certificate from Polish consulate (for customs)
- Work contracts: old and new
- Proof of living abroad for 12+ months
- Bank Guarantee (to cover potential VAT/import duty)
- EORI number (Economic Operator Registration)
- Power of Attorney if you're using a logistics agent
You may be asked to show:
- Purchase receipts to prove ownership and use over 6 months
- Car registration issued at least 6 months prior to the move
- Customs declaration (SAD or AIS/IMPORT system)
- Transit documents (if crossing EU border with vehicle)
📌 Need help with translations, document collection, or applying for a Bank Guarantee? Residence Angels has got you covered — in English, Polish, Ukrainian, Russian, Hindi, and more.
💰 Shipping Costs to Poland from the US
Average shipping cost from the US to Poland depends on:
20-ft - 1–2 rooms ~$3,000–$5,000
40-ft - 3+ rooms ~$6,000–$8,000
Vehicle (RoRo) - Car shipping - ~$1,500–$3,000
Transit times are typically 25–35 days via European ports (Hamburg, Rotterdam), then overland to Poland.
💡 Residence Angels can recommend trusted international shipping partners with bilingual support and end-to-end service.
🇺🇸 Special Case: Moving from the US to Poland
If you're applying for a certificate for moving to Poland from the Polish Consulate in Los Angeles, your local consulate may require:
- Completed questionnaire about your move
- Proof of employment or residence in Poland
- List of items being shipped
- Polish address of destination
Make sure to schedule an appointment in advance — demand is high in major US cities.
🎓 Need Help with More Than Just Customs?
Relocation is more than paperwork and shipping. At Residence Angels, we provide full-service relocation support:
✅ Assistance with immigration, residence permits, and visas
✅ Support with housing search, lease review, and registration
✅ School and kindergarten placement for children
✅ Consular certificates, translations, legalizations
✅ Local orientation, bank setup, health insurance
📞 Contact us for a free consultation. Let us take care of the bureaucracy, so you can focus on building your new life in Poland.
