One of the most expensive surprises when importing a car is the Poland car excise duty. A difference of just 0.2 litres in engine size can cost you several thousand dollars. Let's unpack the "excise trap" using the Hyundai Palisade and explain why a 2.0L engine is almost always cheaper than a 2.2L.
How the Polish excise (akcyza) works
The Polish excise on importing a passenger car depends solely on engine displacement:
| Engine size | Excise rate |
|---|---|
| Up to 2.1L inclusive | 3.1% of the car value |
| Above 2.1L | 18.6% of the car value |
The 2.1-litre threshold is the trap. Cross it by just a couple hundred cc and the rate jumps sixfold.
The "Palisade trap": 2.2 CRDi vs 2.0L
For a Hyundai Palisade import to Poland, note that its most common diesel is the 2.2 CRDi (2199 cc) — that's "above 2.1L", so you hit the 18.6% excise. Many buyers only learn this after the invoice arrives thousands of dollars higher than expected.
Engines up to 2.1L — for example petrol versions of the Tucson, Sportage or Santa Fe in ≤2.0L trims — are taxed at just 3.1%.
A real calculation in USD ($)
Take a car worth $30,000 at a Korean auction:
| Option | Excise |
|---|---|
| Palisade 2.2 CRDi (>2.1L) — 18.6% | $5,580 |
| 2.0L alternative (≤2.1L) — 3.1% | $930 |
| Overpayment on excise alone | $4,650 |
Almost five thousand dollars of difference — purely because of 0.2 litres of displacement.
How to avoid the trap
- If you truly need a large 7-seat SUV, budget the Palisade honestly: the 18.6% is already baked into the turnkey price.
- If saving on import is the priority, pick an engine up to 2.1L — it qualifies for the 3.1% rate.
- Korean brands (Hyundai, Kia, Genesis) also enter the EU with 0% customs duty under the Korea–EU FTA — a key part of lowering your South Korea car import tax EU.
GetCar calculates the full invoice (auction price, freight, duty, VAT and excise) before bidding starts, so you see the final figure in advance. Run your scenario in the calculator or leave a request, and an expert will find you a car without the excise trap.
