Importing spirits into Poland - what you need to know before your first delivery
Importing alcohol into Poland is a process that requires knowledge of excise regulations, customs procedures and the EMCS system. Any mistake at the documentation or logistics stage means delays, financial penalties and frozen capital. IMA Polska has been supporting importers and distributors of alcohols for years, providing a comprehensive service at every stage - from receiving the goods at the tax warehouse to bringing them to the market.
Why importing alcohol into Poland requires a specialised service
Bringing alcohol to the Polish market involves much more than transportation and storage. The importer must meet a number of legal requirements regulated by the Excise Duty Act and customs regulations. The most important obligations include:
- Settlement of excise duty or suspension of its collection within a tax warehouse
- Ordering and applying excise stamps to each unit of product
- Correct record keeping in the EMCS (Excise Movement and Control System)
- Completion of customs procedures for imports from third countries
Omitting any of these elements results in the goods being detained, penalties being charged or having to go through the procedure again. That is why importing spirits into Poland requires a partner who knows these processes from the operational and legal side.
Tax warehouse IMA Polska - comprehensive service for importing alcoholic beverages
IMA Poland leads tax warehouse, which allows alcohol to be stored under suspension of excise duty. This means that the importer does not have to pay excise duty at the time the goods are taken into storage. The excise duty is not charged until the product is taken out of the warehouse into commerce.
This solution allows for optimised cash flow and flexible stock management. The importer can keep the goods in stock for a longer period of time without incurring excise duty costs, which is particularly important for large import volumes.
Storage under suspension of excise duty
The tax warehouse IMA Polska accepts deliveries from both EU and non-EU countries. In the case of intra-Community deliveries, goods are moved in the EMCS system on the basis of an electronic e-AD. For imports from outside the EU, it is additionally necessary to complete customs procedures, including the declaration of goods for clearance.
Our team handles the entire documentation process - from the issuing of the e-AD, to the acknowledgement of receipt, to the clearing of excise duty on removal of the goods from the warehouse.
Banding and labelling of spirits
Any alcohol marketed in Poland must have an excise tax label. IMA Polska offers professional banding and labelling alcohols in accordance with current legislation. The process includes:
- Affixing excise stamps to bottles and packages
- Product labelling according to Polish market requirements
- Quality control of the applied markings
Banding takes place on the premises of the tax warehouse, which eliminates the need to transport goods to external facilities and reduces the time it takes to prepare the product for sale.
Contract bottling of spirits under the customer's brand name
In addition to the standard import service, IMA Polska also carries out contract bottling of spirits. This service is aimed at companies that want to launch a product under their own brand, but do not have their own production facilities.
The bottling takes place on the premises of the tax warehouse, which allows the suspension of excise duty procedure to be maintained throughout the entire process - from the receipt of bulk alcohol, through bottling and banding, to the exit of the finished product for marketing.
Step-by-step process for importing spirits
The importation of spirits into Poland consists of several stages, which must follow a strict sequence:
- Ordering of excise stamps - The importer submits an application to the relevant tax office. The waiting time for the bands is usually between a few and several working days.
- Organisation of transport - goods are moved under an excise duty suspension arrangement. For deliveries from the EU, an e-AD in the EMCS system is required.
- Receipt of goods at the tax warehouse - IMA Polska confirms receipt of the goods and registers them in the warehouse's record system.
- Banding and labelling - applying excise stamps and labels in accordance with the requirements of the Polish market.
- Removal of goods from storage - calculation and settlement of excise duties, issue of sales documents.
Each of these stages requires precise documentation and timely execution. A delay at one stage affects the entire supply chain.
Optimising the cost of importing spirits
Working with an experienced bonded warehouse operator allows a real reduction in import costs. The suspension of excise duty eliminates the need to commit large financial resources at the warehousing stage. A professional documentation service minimises the risk of errors that could result in penalties or delays.
IMA Poland has been in the market for years, serving importers of wines, spirits, beers and other alcoholic beverages. The company's knowledge of regulations and operational experience translates into the smooth running of each import.
Contact IMA Poland
Are you looking for a partner to handle alcohol imports to Poland? Do you need a tax warehouse with full support for banding, labelling and excise documentation? Contact us - we will provide an offer tailored to your needs and import volumes.