Customs Border Between Poland And Belarus: What's The Situation?

The Belarus–Poland border is a highly contentious issue that has witnessed several geopolitical shifts and conflicts. The border, stretching across 398.6 km, demarcates the boundary between the Republic of Poland, an EU member, and the Republic of Belarus, part of the Union State. This international border has witnessed significant migration challenges, with Poland and the EU accusing Belarus of orchestrating and supporting illegal crossings to destabilise the region. To counter this, Poland erected a border wall and implemented stringent measures, including increased border patrol and construction of a permanent wall. The situation is dynamic, with ongoing updates on border traffic and waiting times available on official platforms.

Border crossings between Poland and Belarus

The border's history is marked by significant shifts and exchanges of territories between Poland and the USSR after World War II. The current border has remained unchanged since the treaty signed on May 15, 1948. However, the impact of the new demarcation line disrupted infrastructure and economic activities on the Polish side.

Crossing the Poland-Belarus border involves navigating through specific checkpoints and complying with customs regulations. Travellers must possess valid passports and visas. Additionally, financial guarantees, typically a minimum of PLN 300 per day or its equivalent in foreign currency, are required. A declaration is mandatory for amounts exceeding the allowed limit of 10,000 euros.

When crossing the border, individuals are permitted to carry up to 1 litre of spirits (over 22% alcohol), 2 litres of alcoholic beverages (up to 22% alcohol), 4 litres of still wine, 40 cigarettes, 20 cigarillos, or 50 grams of smoking tobacco. Meat and dairy products are prohibited from being imported into Poland.

There are several border crossings between the two countries, each with its unique characteristics. The busiest crossing is typically the Warsaw Bridge (Brest-Terespol), located on the western outskirts of Brest, offering a direct route to Warsaw. However, long queues and waiting times of up to 4-5 hours are common at this checkpoint.

Another crossing is Domachevo-Slovatyche, which is convenient for travellers heading to Polish cities like Lublin and Krakow, as well as to the Czech Republic and Slovakia. This crossing is located 50 kilometres south of Brest.

The Peschatka-Polovtsy crossing is ideal for those travelling to the Polish city of Bialystok or the Kaliningrad region. This crossing usually takes less than an hour and is often queue-free. However, it is situated 55 kilometres north of Brest, and the route to Warsaw involves passing through numerous settlements.

The calmest and fastest point of crossing is Domachevo, located 30-40 kilometres south of Brest. This crossing is suitable for travellers heading to southern Poland, cities like Rzeszow and Lublin, and further to Slovakia, Hungary, and other European countries.

In recent years, the Poland-Belarus border has witnessed a migration crisis, with Belarus being accused of orchestrating and supporting illegal crossings. In response, Poland began constructing a border wall in January 2022 to prevent illegal immigration. The barrier was completed in June 2022, and an electronic barrier with cameras and sensors was added subsequently.

The impact of the new border on infrastructure and economic activity

The new border between Poland and Belarus has negatively impacted infrastructure and economic activity on the Polish side. The railway line from Dąbrowa Białostocka to Grodno, for example, was cut off, and the Białystok-Augustów-Suwałki railway line was left entirely within Poland, requiring the construction of a new railway line from Sokółka to Dąbrowa Białostocka. The new border also severed road connections, such as the main paved road from Nowy Dwór to Sejny, which would have facilitated transport between the northeastern and southeastern parts of the Sokółka County.

The new border also disrupted telecommunication systems, with telephone and telegraph connections suffering severe delays of up to four hours. The new border increased hidden costs for communication and transport, as some roads now ended several kilometres from the border with no crossing available. The location of the new border also delayed the reconstruction of the area, as the main road from Augustów to Sejny remained damaged and mined until June 1946.

The border wall between Poland and Belarus was completed on June 30, 2022, at a cost of around 1.6 billion Polish złoty (US$407 million). An electronic barrier with night vision and movement sensors was added to the fence between November 2022 and the summer of 2023, costing EUR 71.8 million.

The Belarus-Poland border barrier

In January 2022, Poland began building a 5.5-metre-high steel wall topped with barbed wire at a cost of around $407 million. The aim was to block the passage of illegal migrants during the border crisis, which was artificially instigated by Belarus in late summer 2021. The barrier was completed in June 2022, with the assistance of the UK.

An electronic barrier was added to the fence between November 2022 and early summer 2023. This 206km-long barrier has 3,000 cameras with night vision and movement sensors. The addition of this electronic barrier cost EUR 71.8 million.

Since the fence was built, illegal crossings have been drastically reduced. However, between August 2021 and February 2023, 37 bodies were found on both sides of the border, with people dying mainly from hypothermia or drowning. Ecologists have also criticised the separation of populations of large mammals like lynx or European bisons.

Requirements for cars and passengers

When travelling by car from Belarus to Poland, there are several border crossings to choose from, each with its own characteristics. These include:

• Checkpoint "Brest" (Warsaw Bridge)
• Checkpoint "Domachevo"
• Checkpoint "Berestovitsa" (Bobrovniki)
• Checkpoint "Peschatka" (intended only for Belarusian and Polish citizens)

It is important to note that the number of cars varies depending on the season, with more cars typically present during the pre-holiday season. In addition, local residents often travel to Poland for shopping during the weekends, resulting in higher traffic from Friday evening to Saturday towards Poland and from Saturday evening to Sunday towards Belarus.

When crossing the border, it is essential to have a valid passport with a Polish visa. The passport must be valid for at least three months from the date of return. Travellers may also be required to present cash as financial guarantees, with a minimum amount of 300 PLN per day of stay. Both cash and credit cards are accepted. While there is no limit on the import of foreign currency, a declaration is required for amounts exceeding 10,000 euros.

For those travelling with pets, a certificate from the veterinary service is necessary, detailing all vaccinations given to the animal, including rabies vaccination.

At the border, individuals may be asked about the purpose of their trip, their travel itinerary, and the dates of their planned tour. They may also be asked about the items they are importing into Poland, including alcohol and cigarettes. The established norm for one person is two packs of cigarettes, one litre of strong alcohol, or two litres of wine.

When crossing the border by car, it is important to have a valid driving licence and a vehicle registration certificate issued to the driver. Handwritten powers of attorney are not accepted. Additionally, a green card, or international car insurance, is mandatory for travelling to Poland by car.

To ensure the safety and roadworthiness of the vehicle, it is essential to have a spare wheel or repair kit, a fire extinguisher, reflective vests for all passengers, and child car seats for children under the age of 12. The car must also be in full technical serviceability, with functioning lighting devices and a clean and crack-free windshield. Only cracks of 2-3 centimetres and small chips are permitted.

It is important to note that the use of studded tires and radar detectors is prohibited in Poland. In addition, foreign motorists must display a sign indicating the country of registration on their vehicle. For Russian motorists, this sign is "RUS" in a white oval.

Border Crossing Process

When approaching the border, a staff member from the border service will ask about the number of occupants in the car and request to see their passports. They will then issue a control ticket, which must be carefully kept as it marks all the stages of crossing the border. After receiving the coupon, individuals will proceed to the customs territory and queue in the appropriate corridor (red or green).

During passport control, individuals will be asked to present their car for inspection, typically involving opening the trunk to show that no prohibited items are being carried. Once all necessary marks are obtained in the control coupon, individuals will exit the territory of Belarus and proceed to the Polish border control.

It is important to note that Poland has implemented strict regulations regarding the import of certain items. Meat and dairy products, as well as chocolate, are prohibited from being imported into Poland. There are also serious restrictions on tobacco and alcohol. Individuals are allowed to import up to one litre of spirits (over 22%) per person and up to 40 cigarettes (two packs), 20 cigarillos, 10 cigars, or 50 grams of tobacco.

The process of passing the Belarus-Poland border

The Belarus-Poland border is the state border between the Republic of Poland and the Republic of Belarus. It has a total length of approximately 400 kilometres (250 miles) and runs along the administrative borders of two voivodeships in Poland and two voblasts in Belarus.

To cross the Belarus-Poland border, foreign citizens and stateless persons must pass border and customs control. Here is a step-by-step breakdown of the process:

• Present a valid travel document (passport) with a visa (if required). For citizens of visa-regime countries, a visa is necessary.
• Show a medical insurance document issued by a Belarusian or foreign insurance company. However, this requirement may be waived for specific categories of individuals.
• If travelling by vehicle, the driver must have a valid insurance certificate confirming civil liability insurance recognised in Belarus.
• Declare any funds or financial means for your stay in Belarus. Foreigners must have sufficient funds for their stay, which is equivalent to at least 50 base values established in Belarus for each month of their visit. For stays shorter than one month, the requirement is at least two base values per day.
• Comply with all rules and restrictions at the border crossing points and the area between the state border and the checkpoint. For example, taking photos or filming is prohibited, and parking vehicles or loading/unloading goods is only permitted in designated areas.

It is important to note that border crossings may be temporarily suspended at certain points, so travellers should stay updated with official information from both countries' authorities. Additionally, there may be additional requirements or restrictions depending on the mode of transportation and the specific border crossing point.

Frequently asked questions