Polish customs seize record volumes of counterfeit goods, value soaring
Poland's tax authority reported a sharp rise in counterfeit seizures, with 650 violations in the first half of 2026 covering goods worth hundreds of millions of złoty.
Data from the Ministry of Finance show that Poland is confronting a growing wave of counterfeit merchandise. In 2025 the tax authority recorded 1390 infringements involving millions of items, and in the first six months of 2026 it logged 650 violations that encompassed a much larger quantity of goods. The monetary worth of the seized products rose to 234 million zł, driven largely by fake watches, jewelry and related accessories, which alone represented about two-thirds of the total value.
While improved customs controls have contributed to higher detection rates, analysts say the overall scale cannot be explained solely by enforcement. The problem now extends beyond luxury items to include cosmetics, electronics, automotive parts, food and medicines, raising concerns for consumer safety. The European Union is working on customs reforms and new authentication technologies to curb the trade.
Why it matters
Rising counterfeit imports threaten consumer safety and cost Polish producers billions of złoty.
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