Food Supplements from the UK to Poland — What Can You Bring and What Is Banned? 2026

Rules for Bringing Food Supplements from the UK to Poland — Personal Use

Personal import of food supplements into Poland from the UK is permitted, but with important restrictions on quantity and composition. The quantity of supplements must clearly indicate personal use rather than trade. In practice this means: a bottle of vitamins, a protein supplement in a single pack, or a month's supply of health supplements will not raise customs concerns. Several packs of the same product may be treated as commercial import — requiring GIS notification and compliance with Polish market entry requirements.

What 'personal use' means for supplements from the UK

Polish regulations and EU guidance do not set a single, fixed quantity threshold for food supplements. Customs authorities assess context: type of product, number of packs, value, nature of the import (tourist returning from UK vs a courier parcel containing a large number of units). A supply of up to 3 months per person for personal use is generally accepted.

If you bring supplements in commercial quantities or of high commercial value, customs may request additional documents or detain the consignment for clarification. Commercial import of supplements requires notification to the Chief Sanitary Inspectorate — details at www.gov.pl/web/gis.

Ingredients permitted in the UK that may be unapproved in Poland

After Brexit, the UK applies its own food supplement regulations, which partly differ from the EU rules in force in Poland. Some herbal ingredients, higher vitamin doses, or specific pro-hormonal compounds that are legal in the UK may not appear on the list of substances approved by GIS for use in supplements sold in Poland.

Example: certain traditional herbal extracts (e.g. comfrey — containing pyrrolizidine alkaloids) permitted in some forms in the UK may be restricted in the EU under Commission Regulation (EU) 2020/2040. CBD in supplements: regulatory status is changing — verify current requirements before bringing them in. GIS publishes lists of prohibited substances: www.gov.pl/web/gis.

Editorial note: the list of prohibited substances is subject to change. This article does not replace verification of the current GIS list before each import.

Sports supplements and pro-hormones — particular caution required

Sports supplements sold legally in the UK (such as certain pre-workouts with stimulant substances or pro-hormones) may contain substances that are controlled or prohibited in Poland. In extreme cases these may be substances on the list of psychoactive substances or steroid analogues covered by Polish criminal law.

Before bringing sports supplements from the UK: (1) check the ingredients on the packaging, (2) verify that the ingredients are not on the GIS prohibited substances list, (3) if in doubt — do not bring them. UK regulations on food supplements are described at: gov.uk — food supplements. Polish import requirements: Chief Sanitary Inspectorate.

Customs Duty and VAT on Supplements from the UK to Poland — How Much Will You Pay?

Food supplements, as nutritional products, are subject to standard customs rules on import from the UK to Poland. They are not covered by any special customs exemptions for health goods. Below we explain the thresholds and rates applicable to personal import of food supplements.

The EUR 150 threshold and duty rates for supplements

Parcels of supplements valued at up to EUR 150 are exempt from customs duty. Above EUR 150, EU tariff rates apply — for most food supplements (HS codes from chapter 21) typical rates range from 0% to 9%. Find the exact HS code for your product in the TARIC database: taxation-customs.ec.europa.eu.

VAT at 23% (in Poland) is charged on all parcels regardless of value — since 1 July 2021 there is no VAT exemption threshold for consignments from third countries. When buying online from the UK — VAT is often already included in the price by the seller, but verify the terms of the transaction.

Supplements via courier or postal delivery — how clearance works

Most supplement parcels from the UK arrive via courier (DPD, DHL, FedEx, UPS) or Polish Post. The courier submits a customs declaration on behalf of the recipient and collects any duty + VAT before delivery. Polish Post may hold a parcel for clarification at a Customs Service Centre — in that case you will receive a notification with information about the charges.

If customs queries the composition or nature of the supplements — you may be asked to provide product documentation (composition, certificates, technical data sheet). Always keep the invoice and product specification from your order.

When a Customs Broker Is Needed — Commercial Import of Supplements from the UK

If you are importing supplements from the UK for commercial purposes — for sale, distribution, for a company, or in large quantities — you have additional regulatory obligations. In Poland, as an EU member state, placing supplements from the UK on the market requires compliance with GIS requirements and EU food regulations. A customs broker will help carry out the clearance and prepare the documentation required by the sanitary inspectorate.

GIS notification for commercial import of supplements

Commercial import of food supplements from the UK to Poland requires notification to the Chief Sanitary Inspectorate (GIS) before placing the product on the market. GIS verifies whether the product complies with EU food supplement legislation (Directive 2002/46/EC), whether the ingredients are on the permitted list, and whether the labelling meets requirements in the Polish language.

Notification procedure: submit an application through the RASFF system or directly to GIS with product documentation. Details: www.gov.pl/web/gis. Without notification, the product cannot be sold in Poland — even if it is legal in the UK.

How Easy Clearance helps with commercial import of supplements from the UK

Commercial clearance of supplements from the UK requires: an import customs declaration, the HS code for the product, documentation submitted to the sanitary inspectorate, and any quality certificates. Easy Clearance will guide your company through the entire customs clearance process on the import side, including preparing documents and ensuring that the customs declaration is correct.

Cost of import clearance: from £45 to £150. Indicative figures — exact quote after documents are submitted. Contact us via WhatsApp or phone to discuss your situation.

What the current rules say

You may bring food supplements from the UK to Poland for personal use without special formalities, provided the quantity does not indicate trade and the ingredients are approved in Poland by GIS. Some substances popular in the UK — herbs, pro-hormones, high doses of certain vitamins — may be subject to restrictions in the EU. Commercial import requires GIS notification and professional customs clearance.

FAQ — frequently asked questions

Can I bring food supplements from the UK to Poland?

Yes, for personal use — up to a 3-month supply without special formalities. Important: some ingredients that are legal in the UK may be banned or unapproved in Poland by GIS.

Can supplements from the UK be confiscated at the border?

Yes, if they contain substances banned in Poland or the quantity indicates trade rather than personal use. Check the ingredients against the GIS list before importing.

How much customs duty will I pay on supplements from the UK?

Parcels up to EUR 150 — no duty; 23% VAT applies. Above EUR 150, duty is charged at the tariff rate for the specific product (often 0–9% for supplements). Check the HS code in TARIC.

Is CBD from the UK legal in Poland?

The status of CBD in supplements is variable. GIS and customs authorities may have current guidance on CBD. Verify current GIS requirements before every import of CBD supplements.

Do I need to register supplements from the UK with GIS?

For personal use: no. For commercial import (sale, distribution): yes — GIS notification is required before placing the product on the market.

Official sources

• Food supplements — GOV.UK guidance — GOV.UK
• Chief Sanitary Inspectorate — GIS / gov.pl
• EU Customs Tariff TARIC — EC TAXUD