If you import plants into Poland from outside the European Union - find out the import rules
Importing plants from unknown or uncertain sources outside the European Union without the required documents and controls may result in the introduction of previously not occurring plant pests that may cause significant economic and environmental damage.
For this reason, even plants imported for personal use undergo border phytosanitary inspection. Importing plants from a verified source accompanied by the required documents, and declaring them for border inspection guarantees that the plants are healthy and that they will not be confiscated and returned to their place of origin or destroyed at the point of entry into the EU.
Under the European Union law, plants intended for planting (including pot plants and seeds intended for sowing) entering the EU from third countries must always be accompanied by a phytosanitary certificate issued by the official plant protection service of the country of origin. The obligation to provide a phytosanitary certificate also applies to fresh cut flowers, fruit and vegetables imported from third countries (exceptions: bananas, coconuts, durians, dates and pineapples). The law does not provide for derogations for private imports and the above-mentioned rules apply regardless of the quantity of goods being imported.
Persons interested in importing plants into the European Union for commercial purposes must register in the Professional Operators Register kept by the respective Voivodeship Plant Protection and Seed Inspector. Operators are registered at their request. Once registered, the commercial importer should set up an account in TRACES NT as a European Registered Professional Operator (EURPO). To activate such account it has to be confirmed by the Voivodeship Inspector who registered the professional operator.
If import is made for private purposes, registration in the Professional Operator Register is not mandatory, but the importer should have an account in TRACES NT as a European entity other than a registered operator (abbreviated EUPO in TRACES NT). The account is free and does not have to be validated by the local Voivodeship Inspector.
Each consignment of plants intended for planting and of certain fruit and vegetables (e.g. peppers, aubergines, citrus fruits, root vegetables) entering the territory of the European Union, whether for commercial or personal use, must be notified for border phytosanitary inspection at a Border Inspection Post designated for such inspection. Notification can only be made via TRACES NT by having the person responsible for consignment complete the first part of the CHED-PP document.
The person responsible for consignment may be the importer/person placing on the market or his/her appointee (e.g. a customs agent). Border phytosanitary inspection is subject to a fee dependent on the quantity and type of imported goods.
Failure to comply with the above rules may result in the consignment being detained, returned to its place of origin or destroyed at the expense of the importer/person placing on the market.
Plants transported in contravention of the above rules in personal luggage, if discovered by the Customs and Fiscal Service, will be confiscated and you may also incur a financial penalty.