Freight forwarder license

Stage 1. Determining Which Permit You Specifically Need

What is this license?
To organize transportation (intermediation/forwarding) in Poland, a license for intermediation in the carriage of goods is required — often called a "forwarder's license". It does not grant the right to transport goods with your own vehicles (for that, a separate "carrier's license" and, if needed, an EU community license are required). The intermediation license is issued for 2–50 years. 

Customs Broker's Actions:

1. Conduct a brief audit of the company's needs: whether only the intermediary license is needed, or also a carrier's license/EU community license (if you will also perform transportation with your own vehicles).
2. Check the existence of registration in CEIDG/KRS, NIP, and the appropriate PKD (e.g., 52.29.C — other supporting activities in transport).
3. Explain the differences between "forwarding vs. transportation" and what documents each option requires.

Stage 2. Checking Admission Conditions (Good Repute + Finances)

Legal Requirements:

1. Good repute of managers/owners (no convictions for specified intentional crimes; submit a declaration using the template).
2. Financial capacity for intermediation — minimum 5,000 PLN of own/available funds or assets (confirmed by financial statements/bank statements/guarantee/property rights).
3. Registration in CEIDG or KRS. Legal basis — Art. 5c of the Road Transport Act. 

Customs Broker's Actions:

• Will prepare templates for declarations of good repute.
• Will compile a package confirming 5,000 PLN (balance sheet/bank statement/guarantee/list of assets) according to the legal requirements.
• Will verify registration data in CEIDG/KRS and NIP.

Stage 3. Confirming Professional Competence (CPC)

Customs Broker's Actions:

1. Will check if someone in the company has a valid CPC; if not — will register for the ITS exam, arrange payment of 800 PLN and prepare the document package.
2. If needed, will recommend a short preparatory course (market rate 900–2400 PLN — optional).

Stage 4. Submitting the License Application to the Authority

Customs Broker's Actions:

1. Will fill out the application (company details, NIP, CEIDG/KRS, license validity period).
2. Will attach: manager's declaration on transport management + copy of CPC, declarations of good repute, proof of financial capacity, payment receipts, power of attorney (if needed).
3. Will submit documents to the Starostwo (County Office) (in paper/electronic form), track the processing, and respond to possible wezwania (summons) (remedying deficiencies — minimum 7 days for corrections).

Stage 5. Obtaining the License and Launching Operations

Customs Broker's Actions:

1. Will receive/forward the original, enter license details into internal registers/contract templates and offers.
2. Will prepare standard forwarding contracts (considering Art. 794-804 of the Civil Code) and forms for orders, CMR, notifications to clients/carriers.

Stage 6. Post-Licensing Compliance (Insurance, Document Flow)

Customs Broker's Actions:

1. Will select forwarder's liability insurance (OC spedytora) offers (considering geography, cargo types, limit of 250,000–1,000,000 PLN/EUR) and if necessary OCP for your carriers.
2. Will establish document flow procedures: order acceptance, carrier confirmation, carrier insurance verification, CMR storage, SLA/claim templates.