Export Animal Products to Poland
This country is a member state of the European Union. In addition to any commodity-specific information listed on this page, the European Union has harmonized requirements for certain animal-origin products. Visit Export Animal Products to the European Union to learn more about harmonized protocols.
Language Requirement for Certificates
Poland generally requires certificates for consignments from the United States to be in both English and Polish. [Some border inspection posts (BIPs) may be willing to accept English certificates even without official translations-exporters should have their importers confirm with the BIP prior to shipment if English certificates are acceptable.] In cases where the BIP requires the certificate to be in Polish, the importer can obtain an "official" translation of English certificates from any licensed translation service in Poland. In these cases, after APHIS endorses the English version, the U.S. exporter can send the certificate via a courier service to the importer who can then have the translation service attach the Polish translation prior to presentation to the Polish BIP when the consignment arrives. If the importer has questions about whether a particular translation service in Poland is licensed, they should check with the pertinent BIP. Alternatively, the exporter can work with their importer to create a truly bilingual version of the certificate prior to presentation to APHIS for endorsement.
Determining Which Certification Requirements Apply
Exporters should always have their importers confirm BEFORE shipment that the consignment will be allowed entry with only the documentation accompanying the consignment. If there is any doubt about European Union or Country requirements a consignment will fall, or when requirements are not listed, the U.S. exporter should have this country's importer email the pertinent border inspection post (BIP) through which the consignment will enter the importing country. The email should include a description of the proposed import, including the animal-origin contents and the intended use of the material in the importing country. The BIP will respond to the importer in writing. The U.S. exporter should then obtain that response from the importer and provide it and a translation of it (including the original email question) to their local VS Field Operations Veterinary Export Trade Services.
Country BIP Contact
When a Consignment is on Hold in Poland
Once a consignment is place on hold in Poland, the Polish importer or their agent will be given by the BIP a Notification called a WEZWANIE indicating the deficiency or deficiencies identified by the BIP, and what they consider required to fix the issue. The importer or importer’s representative can pick it up from the BIP, or receive it by fax, email, or regular mail. At any point the importer can appeal the decision to the central authorities by emailing the BIP to appeal the decision.
It is unlikely that APHIS will be able to gain release of a consignment if it is placed on hold by the BIP since this likely indicates the consignment was exported without having the pertinent requirements verified. However, if the WEZWANIE indicates that the consignment may be able to be released, and if the U.S. exporter is seeking APHIS assistance, the exporter should send the following information to the APHIS Veterinary Services field office that endorsed the original certificate for the consignment:
- The WEZWANIE
- English translation of the WEZWANIE
- Scan of export certificate issued for the consignment
- Scan of the bill of lading (or airway bill)
- A list of materials in the consignment (unless obvious from the certificate)
- A description of the intended use in Poland of the materials in the consignment
- The name of the BIP where the material is on hold
- Contact information for the exporter • Contact information for the importer and if applicable the importer’s agent.
Commodity Specific Information
Diagnostic and research samples (10.93 KB) - June 2014
Need Help Exporting Animal Products?
If you have any questions or concerns about the procedures and requirements for exporting animal products, or to obtain a zoosanitary certificate for an animal product, contact the APHIS Veterinary Services office covering the area from which the product will be exported, the area in which your office is located, or the area in which the product is manufactured.
Certificate Endorsement or Export Questions
For animal product export certificate endorsement or questions, select your State or Territory to email the appropriate office and include "Animal products: endorsement or question" plus your State or Territory's name in the subject line. Note: Offices may serve multiple States and Territories.
Facility Inspections or Questions
For animal product export facility inspection requests or questions, select your State or Territory to email the appropriate office and include "Facility Inspection" plus your State or Territory's name in the subject line. Note: Offices may serve multiple States and Territories.