Poland is an attractive place to start an E-commerce business due to its dynamically developing market and favorable business environment. This field is constantly growing, and online sales are taking up more and more space, with annual sales in the last year approaching $20 billion. If you are considering how to open an E-commerce company in Poland, follow our step-by-step guide.
Choosing a niche or product category
To open an E-commerce company in Poland, you need to choose a niche or product category in which you will operate. Conduct a market analysis to identify areas with high demand and low competition.
Opening and registering a company in Poland
The next step for those who want to know how to start an E-commerce business in Poland is to open and register a company in Poland. This is necessary for the legal operation of your business in the country. To register an E-commerce company in Poland, you will need:
- Choose the legal form of the company: Determine which type of company best suits your business goals. Most often, an LLC (Sp. z o.o. – Spółka z ograniczoną odpowiedzialnością) is established for this type of business in Poland.
- Register the company remotely: The process includes collecting and submitting the necessary documents, as well as paying registration fees:
- Company name
- Legal address of the company
- List and details of founders and board members (they need to register and obtain a PESEL number (tax identification number), an ePUAP profile (electronic signature), and undergo verification for ePUAP by visiting either the Polish consulate in their country of residence or a government institution in Poland)
- Providing the company’s Charter
- Depositing the share capital (the required share capital for registering a Spółka z o.o. is 5,000 PLN)
- Determine PKD (Polish Classification of Activities). In this case: Section G – Wholesale and Retail Trade, Group 47.9, Class 47.91, Division 47.91Z – Retail Sale via Mail Orders and the Internet
- Registration in the National Court Register of Enterprises (KRS) via the S24 system (online registration). On the eKRS website, find the “S24 — Company Registration” section
- Obtaining the KRS number and the company registration certificate in Poland, as well as the NIP number (taxpayer identification number)
- Opening a current account in a bank (personal presence is required!)
- Registering the company with tax authorities, social insurance authorities, and the statistics office
- VAT registration and OSS VAT for sales abroad. This is important if you want to sell to customers abroad without sales value restrictions
Note: There is no need to obtain any license to register an E-commerce company in Poland.
Creating a website for online trading
To successfully promote an online store in the Polish business market, you need a well-organized, user-friendly, and high-quality website. When creating your online store website in Poland, consider the following factors:
- Choose a domain name and the ideal hosting for the site
- Determine the structure of the site and the information package
- Develop a user-friendly design and site interface
- Connect and set up the necessary software
- Make the site attractive and understandable for visitors
A properly organized online store in Poland will help you achieve success and generate income. Embrace modern technologies to stay ahead.
Setting up a payment gateway for an e-commerce company
A payment gateway allows customers to pay for their purchases on your site. Integrate a reliable payment gateway that supports various payment methods. In Poland, rules regarding online payments can vary, so it’s recommended to use specialized rules that ensure secure payment processing in your store.
Popular payment gateways in Poland include Przelewy24, PayU, and Dotpay.
Working with marketplaces for e-commerce companies in Poland
Many entrepreneurs collaborate with marketplaces in this field. Marketplaces attract large volumes of traffic, providing entrepreneurs with the opportunity to reach a wider audience and increase sales. They offer high visibility for products, reducing the need for additional marketing and advertising expenses. Marketplaces provide a platform for selling diverse products, expanding offerings, and attracting new customers.
Major marketplaces in Poland include:
- Allegro: The largest Polish marketplace, offering a wide range of categories and features.
- Amazon.pl: A world-class e-commerce brand.
- Empik.com: A large retailer offering a marketplace for books, electronics, and other goods.
Marketplaces help entrepreneurs comply with Polish legislation and tax requirements. To work with them, entrepreneurs simply need to sign a contract.
Marketing and promoting your e-commerce business in Poland
An effective marketing strategy is crucial for the success of any E-commerce project. Once your e-commerce site is ready, it’s time to attract customers. Utilize various marketing channels such as social networks, email marketing, and paid advertising. Leverage all modern digital marketing tools to attract your target audience and increase sales.
Accounting services for e-commerce in Poland provided by Progress Holding
After registering an E-commerce company, you need to choose an outsourced accounting firm that will provide accounting services for your business. Progress Holding specializes in servicing E-commerce businesses. Our services include:
- Maintaining accounting records with registration of all financial operations in accounting systems. Preparing financial statements in accordance with local Polish legislation.
- Tax consulting – calculation and payment of taxes (VAT, profit tax, etc.).
- Assistance with company registration for VAT purposes.
- Filing monthly or quarterly VAT declarations and calculating VAT to be paid.
- Assistance with VAT registration in OSS, preparing and filing OSS declarations.
- Goods and Services Tax (GST) – calculation and payment of VAT on imported goods if their value exceeds 150 euros.
- Maintaining accurate inventory records.
- Maintaining records of all monetary operations.
- Assistance in hiring employees, calculating employee salaries, and withholding taxes and social contributions.
- Preparing financial statements, including profit and loss statements, balance sheets, and cash flow statements, in accordance with Polish accounting standards.
- Providing consultations on accounting, taxation, and compliance with legal requirements.
- Assistance with accounting for international operations. We can provide opinions on complex international operations.
Opening an E-commerce company in Poland is an opportunity to enter a dynamic European market with relatively low barriers. By following our recommendations for registering and starting an E-commerce business in Poland, you can achieve success in this promising sector.