The vacation period is full, and Poles increasingly choose abroad resorts, with Turkey, Greece and Spain in the lead. Vacation is not only a rest, but besides an chance to shop, frequently at very attractive prices. Many tourists return with suitcases full of clothes, shoes or accessories of celebrated brands. Unfortunately, this seemingly innocent souvenir may turn into a serious problem at the airport. The National taxation Administration (KAS) and customs authorities clearly warn: imports of counterfeit goods, even for their own use, are treated with all severity. Contrary to popular belief, the consequences are not only the confiscation of goods. For trying to bring counterfeits into Poland, they endanger advanced fines, and in utmost cases even punishment for 2 years imprisonment. Customs officials have clear guidelines and pay peculiar attention to tourists returning from popular destinations where counterfeit trade flourishes.
Summer buying for Poles. What do we want from vacation?
The interest in abroad trips among Poles grows avalanchely. According to Google search analyses, up to 51% of requests for leave were for travel abroad. Directions specified as Turkey, Egypt, Greece or Italy tempt with weather guaranteed, cultural wealth and attractive prices for all inclusive packages. The average cost of a week's journey at the top of the period is about PLN 3600 per person, which is frequently a better offer than vacation in Poland.
Shopping is an integral part of specified holidays. Poles are celebrated for their love of bringing souvenirs – from local delicacies, to craftsmanship, to clothing and accessories. Most of our suitcases land:
- Local alcohols and food products: Italian wine, Greek oil, Turkish baklava.
- Cosmetics: especially those based on natural, regional ingredients.
- Handicrafts and leather articles: ceramics, jewelry, purses.
- Clothes, shoes and accessories: frequently bought at local bazaars at occasional prices.
However, it is worth remembering the provisions in force. According to information from the National taxation Administration, erstwhile travelling by plane outside the EU, we can bring goods for own usage of a full value to EUR 430 per person. However, this limit does not cover all products and 1 category of goods is subject to a full import ban and entails the most serious consequences.
The fakes from Turkey are flooding the bazaars. That's what you gotta watch out for.
Turkey, alongside China, is simply a planet leader in the production of counterfeit goods. The data of the Organisation for economical Cooperation and improvement (OECD) and the European Union Intellectual Property Office (EUIPO) are alarming. It is estimated that About 200 million pairs of fake shoes are produced annually in TurkeyAnd then there's giant amounts of clothes, watches and bags with fake tags. These products hit the bazaars in popular resorts specified as Alanya, Bodrum or Side, tempting tourists with low prices.
This phenomenon has taken on specified a scale that in the luxurious areas of tourist cities the alleged "false boutiques" began to be created. From the outside they look like salons of well-known planet brands, they have the same decor and manner of vulnerability of the goods, but offer only counterfeits. Interestingly, it strikes not only global corporations, but besides the local Turkish economy. The “Made in Türkiya” label, formerly synonymous with good-quality textiles, is now increasingly associated with impermanent imitations that break down after respective washings.
Although counterfeit trade is officially illegal and punishable in Turkey, in practice it is commonly tolerated in tourist zones. This creates an illusion of safety for buyers who do not realize that real problems can only start erstwhile they return to the country.
An innocent souvenir or a crime? Legal implications are serious
It is crucial to realize how Polish and EU law deals with counterfeits. Just buying a fake product for individual usage abroad is not a crime. The problem arises erstwhile crossing the European Union border. Importing counterfeit goods is illegaland customs and taxation officials have the right to check their luggage in detail.
The biggest mistake of tourists is to believe that “a fewer things for themselves” are not a problem. Nothing more wrong. Even having respective t-shirts, a pair of shoes and fake logo bags can be interpreted by the customs officer as an effort to place goods on the marketplace for commercial purposes. In specified a situation, the consequences are very severe and may include:
- Immediate confiscation all fake items.
- High fine, whose tallness depends on the value of the first products.
- Criminal proceedings for infringements of industrial property rights.
- At worst, in accordance with Article 305 of the Industrial Property Law, prison conviction up to 2 years.
Officers are peculiarly delicate to goods imported from areas known for their trade in counterfeits. Control at the airport can so turn the dream vacation into a real nightmare, and saving respective 100 zlotys on purchases can consequence in multi-thousand penalties and entry into the criminal record.
How to avoid problems at the border? applicable guide for tourists
When planning your vacation shopping, it is worth following common sense to avoid unpleasant surprises at the airport. alternatively of taking a chance, it's better to be conscious and safe. First of all, if the offer seems besides beautiful to be actual – it most likely is. The branded purse for a fraction of the marketplace price is almost certain that we are dealing with a fake.
To avoid problems, it is worth following any simple rules. First of all, avoid buying respective identical or very akin “brand” items. It's a red flag for customs and a sign of possible trade. Secondly, alternatively of hunting a fake logo, bet on authentic local products. Real Turkish handicrafts, leather products or advanced quality textiles will be a much more valuable and safer souvenir. In this way, not only will you avoid problems with the law, but you will besides support local craftsmen, not criminal practices.
In conclusion, the desire to have a luxury product at a low price is understandable, but the risks associated with the import of counterfeits are disproportionately high. Stress, failure of money and goods, and in worst case serious legal consequences – it is simply a price that no 1 wants to pay for a souvenir from a holiday. It is better to return from your vacation with less purchases, but with a clear conscience and no fear of customs control.
More here:
Poles buy it on vacation. Customs are warning: jail time!
