Environmental fee due end of February — huge fines risk

26 February 2026 Poland Radar 0 Comments

Companies placing packaged goods, electronics or batteries on the Polish market must pay an environmental fee by the end of February or face removal from registers and fines up to PLN 1,000,000.

Environmental fee payments for companies that place packaged products, electronic equipment or batteries on the Polish market are due by the end of February. Missing the deadline can lead not only to removal from the official register of producers but also to heavy fines — reported penalties can reach up to PLN 1,000,000 — making this a material compliance risk for foreign businesses operating in Poland.

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Who must pay and what is changing

The fee applies to entities that introduce products in packaging, electronic devices or batteries into Poland. It is an annual charge, with rates and the precise timetable set by authorities each year. Companies that sell or import these items — including e-commerce sellers, distributors and importers — must register and settle the charge with the competent voivodeship marshal’s office (Polish: urząd marszałkowski) responsible for their place of registration or business activity.

Consequences of non-payment

Failing to pay the environmental fee by the statutory deadline may result in administrative measures. Authorities can remove a business from the register that authorises legal market activity for producers or distributors of covered products, effectively blocking further sales under that registration. In addition to deregistration, enforcement actions can include large financial penalties — the figure cited in recent reports is up to PLN 1,000,000 — and other administrative sanctions. For foreign-run companies this can mean disrupted supply chains, frozen sales channels, and reputational damage within the EU market.

Practical steps to comply

If you run a company that might be affected, take immediate steps: verify whether your products fall into the covered categories (packaging, electronics, batteries); confirm the correct voivodeship marshal’s office to which you must report; calculate the fee based on current rates and sales volumes for the reporting year; and arrange payment before the end of February. Keep written proof of payment and registration documents — these will be essential if authorities query your compliance. If you are unsure about rate calculations or how to register, consult a Polish legal or tax adviser or an industry association familiar with product compliance rules.

💡 GOOD TO KNOW: In Poland the term “marshal’s office” refers to the regional government office of a voivodeship (province). The environmental fee discussed here is an administrative charge for companies that introduce packaging, electronic equipment or batteries to the market — it is not the same as VAT. Each voivodeship has its own voivodeship marshal’s office account details and often an online register where you must be listed as a producer or importer. Foreign companies or expat business owners should: (1) check which voivodeship handles their registration (often where the company is registered or where goods are first placed on the market), (2) obtain the current fee rates for the product categories they sell, (3) make payment and keep receipts, and (4) if in doubt, hire a local accountant or compliance specialist. Missing the deadline can stop you trading legally in Poland and expose you to heavy fines.

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