What Poland makes
Poland is one of the world's largest furniture exporters. According to the Polish Investment and Trade Agency (PAIH, 2025), Polish furniture exports were worth USD 15.94 billion in 2024, nearly 32,000 furniture manufacturers were operating in Poland in 2024, and Poland was the world's second-largest and Europe's largest furniture exporter by export value in 2023, based on data from the Polish furniture industry chamber (OIGPM).
For HoReCa buyers the relevant range goes beyond furniture: textiles and bedding, metal and joinery work, equipment, cleaning chemicals, food products and technical services. How strong a given category is has to be checked case by case — that is where most sourcing work goes.
How to check a Polish supplier
Poland has free public registers that let you check a company before you send a deposit.
- National Court Register (KRS) — companies such as sp. z o.o. and S.A.: registration data, management board and status.
- CEIDG — sole traders: registration data and status.
- VAT taxpayer list (the “white list”) — whether the company is an active VAT payer and which bank accounts it has reported.
- VIES — whether the company's EU VAT number is valid for intra-EU trade.
Specification, samples and the first order
Agree the specification in writing before samples are made: materials, dimensions, finishes, tolerances, packaging and labelling. Evaluate the samples against that document, not against memory.
For a first order, a smaller batch to the same specification is safer than a full order. Agree who checks quality and when — at the factory before dispatch, or on arrival.
Commercial terms and delivery
Within the EU, goods shipped from Poland are not subject to customs duties, and B2B deliveries to a customer with a valid EU VAT number are invoiced without Polish VAT — the customer accounts for VAT in their own country.
Agree the delivery term (Incoterms), lead time, payment terms and who arranges transport. Logistics is often what decides the real cost of an order.
Language and communication
Some Polish manufacturers work comfortably in English; with smaller companies, Polish is often needed. A partner who speaks Polish shortens the conversation and reduces misunderstandings in specifications.
How Horeca Pilot can help
We look for sources in Poland, make the first contact in Polish, compare offers on the same criteria, arrange samples and coordinate the purchase. Logistics is possible when it is specifically agreed for the deal.
We work B2B only. Orders can be small, but they have to be business orders.
Sources
- Polish Investment and Trade Agency (PAIH), “Poland. Business Forward — The Furniture Sector”, 2025
- National Court Register (KRS) search — Ministry of Justice
- CEIDG and company search — biznes.gov.pl
- VAT taxpayer list (“white list”) — podatki.gov.pl
- European Commission — VIES VAT number validation
- Your Europe (European Commission) — Cross-border VAT