N
TruthVerse News

Do I pay VAT on goods from Poland?

Author

Andrew Vasquez

Updated on March 13, 2026

Do I pay VAT on goods from Poland?

A VAT-registered UK business importing goods from Poland should give the Polish supplier its UK VAT registration number (including the GB prefix) so that Polish PTU does not get charged. Imports do not get shown on EC Sales Lists, but are liable to be reported on Intrastat.

Accordingly, do I charge VAT to Poland?

Exporting goods to Poland

A VAT-registered UK business does not need to charge VAT on goods it is sending to Poland, provided it keeps documentary proof of export. If the Polish customer is not registered for PTU, and the UK business is not registered for PTU, then UK VAT must be charged.

Similarly, do I pay VAT on goods from Italy? When moving goods from European Union ( EU ) countries, you need to pay VAT but not import duty. You do not normally need an import licence. Imports from the EU are called 'acquisitions'.

Then, do I have to charge VAT on my products?

Once your business is registered for VAT, then it has to charge VAT on all the taxable sales it makes to its customers. The VAT you charge to your customers is called “output VAT”. VAT that can be reclaimed is called “input VAT”. VAT-registered businesses must file a regular report called a VAT return to HMRC.

Do I have to pay VAT on goods from Switzerland?

However, only supplies taking place within Switzerland are relevant for the assessment of the Swiss VAT liability. As such, a foreign supplier that has a total turnover exceeding this amount, but that supplies goods within Switzerland for less than the CHF 100,000 per year is not obliged to register for VAT.

How much is VAT in Poland?

Poland VAT rates

The standard VAT rate in Poland is 23%. There are reduced rates of 8% and 5% on certain food, books, newspapers and the supply of a limited number of other services.

What is a VAT number called in Poland?

There are two VAT numbers in Poland. The "regular" VAT number and a so-called "EU" VAT number used for intra-EU transactions. Polish EU VAT numbers have 12 characters [PL + 10 digits].

Should I charge VAT to European customers?

If you provide services to customers outside the EU, you usually do not charge VAT. However, if the service is used in another EU country, that country can decide to charge the VAT. You may still deduct the VAT that you paid on related expenses, such as for goods or services purchased specifically to make those sales.

Do I charge VAT to US customers?

The majority of goods exported to the US can be zero-rated for VAT. In other words, you do not need to charge VAT on the exported goods, or the extra charges such as shipping and delivery.

What can I import from Poland?

Best export products from Poland
  1. Fruit and vegetables. Not all of them, of course, but Poland's vast and fertile territory makes a perfect opportunity to be the garden of Europe.
  2. Dairy.
  3. Doors & windows.
  4. Furniture.
  5. Vehicles & boats.
  6. Cosmetics.
  7. White goods.
  8. Video games.

Can you make money being VAT registered?

So, by registering, collecting VAT and paying a fixed rate to HMRC, you can potentially make a small profit on the whole process. To keep the scheme effective, you do need to apply caution around the VATable purchases the business makes. The VAT flat-rate schemes makes VAT simpler and also profitable.

Is Poland in the EU for VAT?

Poland follows the VAT compliance of the European Union, set out in the VAT Directive. However, it still sets its own VAT rate. The only proviso is that it is above 15%.

What happens to VAT when we leave the EU?

When the UK leaves the EU VAT area, it will become a third country. This means that the way businesses manage VAT on goods and services exported and imported to/from the EU will change. Sellers will not charge VAT, but buyers will have to pay VAT to HMRC at the point of import (alongside any applicable customs duties).

Do you have to charge VAT if you are not VAT registered?

You must not charge VAT if your business is not registered for VAT. However, VAT registered businesses must charge VAT on their taxable supplies of goods and services and can reclaim the VAT they have paid that relates to the supplies on which they have charged VAT.

How can I avoid paying VAT?

Avoid paying VAT - the legal way
  1. Make your own sandwiches. You don't pay VAT on most food stuffs, especially basic ingredients such as bread, salad, fruit and cheese.
  2. Buy biscuits carefully.
  3. Give books as presents.
  4. Don't buy drinks on the go.
  5. Holiday overseas.
  6. Make your own smoothies.
  7. Buy kids clothes.
  8. Buy from overseas sites.

Do I have to pay VAT if Im not VAT registered?

If you are not VAT registered then you will not be able to reclaim any VAT unless you are a visitor from overseas. If you are a VAT registered trader, then you will normally set off the VAT you have been charged by your suppliers against the VAT you have charged your customers.

Are wages VAT exempt or zero rated?

Transactions outside the scope of VAT. The following are the only items (per HMRC) that should not be included in box 7 of your VAT return: wages and salaries. PAYE and National Insurance contributions.

Does a small business have to pay VAT?

It's commonly assumed that charging VAT is something that all businesses do, so it's no surprise that many people who speak to us about starting their own business assume that they need to be VAT registered with HMRC. In fact, that's not true. Many small businesses do not need to be VAT registered.

What does not VAT registered mean?

Some goods and services are considered exempt or zero-rated from VAT, which means you won't pay any VAT on them (and can't charge customers or claim VAT back on goods and services you've paid for).

What can you reclaim VAT on?

The golden rule when claiming VAT back is you can claim only on goods and services that are used wholly and exclusively for your business. This means office supplies, computers and equipment, transport costs and services such as accountancy all count if they are solely used for the purpose of your business.

When should I start to charge VAT?

When should I start charging VAT? When your turnover reaches the VAT threshold in a rolling 12 month period, you must start charging VAT from the first day of the second month after you exceed the threshold.

Is VAT due on commission?

For VAT purposes, the principal is the person supplying the goods and services to the customer. The agent is liable for the VAT on the agent service they supply to the principal (for example, on the commission payments). The agent must issue a VAT invoice to the principal.

Can I claim VAT back on European purchases?

If you're registered for VAT in the UK you cannot use the refund scheme to reclaim VAT paid on goods you import into the UK from outside the EU. But you can reclaim the VAT as input tax on your VAT Return. You'll need the import VAT certificate, form C79, showing that you've paid the import VAT.

Do you pay VAT on delivery?

On shipping charge

You only pay VAT if myGermany purchases goods within the European Union. According to the Tax Act, delivery within the EU is relevant for VAT. Shipping to third countries is tax-exempted and the tax is not listed on the shipping bill.

Which countries have no VAT?

There is no single country with the lowest rate of VAT since there are several with 0% rates including everywhere from Bermuda to Hong Kong to Iraq to the UAE.

Can you claim VAT back from Italy?

Italy's refund rate ranges from 11.6% to 15.5% of purchase amount, with a minimum purchase amount of 154.95 EUR per receipt. You need to have permanent residence in a non-EU country to be eligible. Italy has one of the highest refund rates for large purchases, at up to 15.5%.

How do I pay import VAT?

Login to FTA portal and make the Payment for VAT due

Import VAT is calculated on the value of the goods inclusive of any customs duty and excise tax that may also be due. The importer shall log in to the FTA e-Services portal to proceed with and confirm the payment.

Who pays VAT in Europe?

According to EU law, EU Member States are required to levy a standard VAT rate of at least 15 percent and a reduced rate of at least 5 percent. Switzerland, as a non-EU country, levies the lowest VAT rate of only 7.7 percent, followed by Luxembourg (17 percent), Turkey (18 percent), and Germany (19 percent).

What is the VAT reverse charge procedure?

The Reverse Charge moves the responsibility for the reporting of a VAT transaction from the seller to the buyer of a good or service. When a transaction is subject to Reverse Charge, the recipient of the goods or services reports both their purchase (input VAT) and the supplier's sale (output VAT) in their VAT return.

Is there VAT between EU countries?

For EU-based companies, VAT is chargeable on most sales and purchases of goods within the EU. In such cases, VAT is charged and due in the EU country where the goods are consumed by the final consumer. VAT isn't charged on exports of goods to countries outside the EU.

Who pays VAT in Germany?

VAT is thus based on two main principles:

VAT is intended to tax only private consumption, not consumption in a professional or business context. Anyone – whether a private individual or business – must initially pay VAT . A VAT -registered business owner will later be reimbursed by the tax office.

Do I pay customs from Switzerland?

Customs Regulations

As mentioned above, because Switzerland is not an active member of the EU, all imported goods have to be customs-cleared. In most cases this mean that you are subject to paying duty on your import from Switzerland, and the amount will vary depending on the specific type of goods you are importing.

Can you claim VAT back from Switzerland?

As a non-resident of Switzerland (and over the age of 18) you are entitled to claim a refund on the VAT from purchases over 300 Swiss Francs (including the VAT). In other words, you need one receipt showing you paid at least 300 CHF total. These goods must also be exported from Switzerland within 30 days of purchase.

Does Switzerland reverse charge apply VAT?

reverse-charge: Switzerland does not apply the reverse-charge mechanism as widely as applied by other countries. Instead, Switzerland applies reverse-charge for specific supplies of goods or services and under specific conditions.

Does Switzerland have VAT?

A VAT rate of 7.7% applies to most goods and services. A reduced rate of 2.5% applies to certain everyday consumer goods such as foodstuffs, non-alcoholic beverages, books, newspapers, magazines and medicines. Overnight stays in hotels (incl. breakfast) are taxed at a special rate of 3.7%.

Do I add VAT to overseas invoices?

Businesses that do not have a permanent presence and are not resident in the UAE, but make sales here, are still obligated to register for and charge UAE VAT. So it is correct that invoices, say from a US or UK company are charging you UAE VAT if their systems can determine you are resident here.

How much is import duty in Switzerland?

You must also pay VAT at 2.5 per cent for goods such as books, or eight per cent for everything else. Meanwhile, customs duties less than five Swiss francs are not levied, and gifts are customs duty-free under 100 Swiss francs – as long as they are declared to be a present.

Does Switzerland pay UK VAT?

VAT on services

UK VAT does not need to be charged on services relating to land or property situated in Switzerland.

What is the VAT rate in Switzerland?

7.7%

Do I need customs form for Switzerland?

You'll need to apply a customs declaration form to your package. If you buy postage online with Click & Drop the label will be generated automatically, and we will also send customs data in advance of your parcel. Alternatively, customs declaration labels are available online or in a Post Office® branch.

Related Documentation

How do I share music from iTunes?

Can you carry a sword in NC?

What animal are the swords of justice?

Do I pay VAT on goods from Poland?