Buying Oils from Abroad? Be Aware of Obligations and Potential Penalties – Check What You Need to Know Before Choosing a Supplier

In the lubricating oil market, we increasingly encounter situations where companies and individuals decide to purchase products from abroad, mainly driven by attractive prices. Unfortunately, they are not always aware of the obligations associated with such a purchase – and failure to comply can lead to serious financial consequences. A recent article on the Interia website (https://motoryzacja.interia.pl/wiadomosci/news-ruszaja-zmasowane-kontrole-na-celowniku-urzednikow-zakup-ole,nId,21825384) shows that customs and tax authorities are looking into these practices more closely.

1. Purchasing Oil Within the EU as a Company – Obligations for Intra-Community Buyers

If your company buys oils from abroad (even within the EU), it becomes their intra-community buyer and must meet a number of obligations, including:

• Registering the oil as an excise product (if it meets the criteria of the Excise Duty Act),
• Paying excise duty in Poland before introducing the product to the market or having excise security,
• Registering in the SENT system if the product is subject to transport monitoring,
• Having documentation confirming the legality of origin and payment of all dues.
• Complying with waste management law requirements

Ignorance of the law does not exempt from responsibility, and overlooking these duties can mean fines of even tens of thousands of złotys.

2. Purchase by an Individual – Apparent Savings, Real Risk

An individual customer is often unaware that when buying oil, e.g., through online platforms (such as Allegro), they are actually purchasing from a foreign seller who:

• has not paid excise tax in Poland,
• has not registered the transport in the SENT system,
• has not met the requirements regarding product labeling and marking.

In such a situation, the buyer – even an individual – can be held accountable by customs-tax authorities. Worse still, there is no simple way to independently verify whether the seller has fulfilled these obligations – consumers usually do not receive information about the product’s origin and legal status.

3. With MOBIPOL You Have Certainty and Peace of Mind

As an authorized distributor of Mobil lubricants with over 30 years of experience on the market:

• We guarantee that every product is legally introduced to the market,
• All tax obligations (including excise) are fully settled,
• We provide full documentation, compliance with legal requirements, and expert support,
• We serve both retail and wholesale customers – safely, legally, and without risk.

Additionally, we operate a tax warehouse, allowing the sale of a wide range of products under excise exemption.

Our clients do not have to worry about any additional fees or inspections. By cooperating with us, you have the assurance that everything is done as it should be.

4. What Are the Consequences of Ignoring Obligations?

Example penalties for illegal purchase or introduction of oil:

• Monetary penalty up to 100% of unpaid excise,
• Additional fine up to 720 daily rates,
• Confiscation of goods,
• In the case of SENT – 10,000 PLN fine for lack of transport registration.

5. Have Questions? Contact Us

If you are considering buying oils and care about legality, safety, and peace of mind – let’s talk. We will gladly explain what cooperation with MOBIPOL looks like and why it is worth choosing a proven partner.

We are at your disposal – by phone, by email, or in person.