Poland Wants to Introduce a Fee for Reserving Spots at the Border for Trucks
The Polish Ministry of Finance has drafted legislative amendments that provide for the introduction of an electronic reservation system for freight vehicles at border crossings. The new rules will apply to shipments traveling from Poland to the European Union’s external border.
According to the Polish Ministry of Finance’s plan, reservations will be mandatory for every freight vehicle leaving Poland through a designated border crossing.
The new rules are intended to cover all freight transport by heavy trucks, regardless of tonnage.
Reservations can be made through the Electronic Services Platform for Taxes and Customs (PUESC) or via a mobile app.
The reservation can be made directly by the driver or by an organization registered with PUESC through its representative.
A fee of 20 zlotys is planned for each reservation. Payment will be made exclusively electronically—cash payments and bank transfers are not permitted.
The Polish Ministry of Finance explains that the fee is intended to help prevent abuse of the system and the booking of slots without a genuine need.
However, the fee will not be refunded if the driver fails to arrive at the border crossing at the time and location specified during the reservation.
For Ukrainian long-haul truck drivers, this will mean having to select a date and border crossing point in advance via PUESC or a mobile app.
The standard option will be available for the transport of all types of goods, including sensitive goods.
The carrier will be able to independently choose the border crossing point, date, and time of arrival.
This option will be used for the transport of live animals, perishable goods, dangerous goods, humanitarian aid, and blood.
Priority status will remain in effect for such shipments. At the same time, the carrier will also be able to choose the border crossing point, date, and time of arrival.
If a driver selects a priority reservation without a valid reason, it may be canceled. In such a case, the vehicle must return outside the border crossing zone.
An additional reservation is provided for the transport of all types of goods if the carrier has not specified the desired date and time of arrival at the selected border crossing point.
In this case, the system will automatically place the vehicle at the end of the queue and determine an estimated arrival date.
The new rules are expected to take effect on February 1, 2027.
At the same time, the electronic booking system itself is scheduled to go live on March 1, 2027.
Thus, for freight carriers—particularly Ukrainian drivers—crossing the Polish border may become more formalized: they will have to plan the border crossing point and arrival time in advance and pay 20 zlotys for the reservation.
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