Bialystok and what is profitable to carry from there: the right shopping in Bialystok. Profitable shopping in Bialystok: experience, advice, recommendations and the main secret

A resident of Slutsk told "Kur" er why she buys clothes, shoes and household goods in Bialystok. She shared what trading places worth a visit in this Polish city, where it is cheaper to dine and how to return some of the money for purchases.

32-year-old Olga travels by minibus from Slutsk to Bialystok once every three to four months. And it's been that way for five years. The road costs $ 35. A visa, which costs 60 euros, is done at the consulate in Minsk. For four years, Olga had to open a visa every year and pay a fee. Now the new rules allow you to get a Schengen visa for two to three years.

On a trip, a Slutsk woman takes $ 200-250. This money is enough to buy food, clothes, shoes, household chemicals and other small things. Olga brings some goods to Slutsk on the order of friends and work colleagues. A small markup on them allows you to justify the cost of the road.

Road, border and duty free

The minibus leaves Slutsk at 20:00. The driver picks up passengers from the entrance and brings them back to the house. From Slutsk to the border about seven hours drive. The minibus has a TV with a DVD player. The driver gives passengers several discs and offers to choose a movie.

It takes two to four hours to cross the border.

I bring some goods from Poland by order of colleagues and acquaintances. A small markup on them allows you to justify the cost of the road to Bialystok

“After customs, we stop at the Duty Free shop. The driver gives 20 minutes for shopping,” says Olga. - Belarusians buy imported alcohol in the store. This is understandable: alcohol prices are a third cheaper than in Belarus. For example, a liter bottle of good imported vodka costs $12, while ours costs $35. Perfumes are also cheaper in Duty Free. I buy Escada French water for $80, and we have it for $120.”

What can you buy in the markets

From the border to Bialystok half an hour drive. A minibus to the night market called Fasty arrives at 4-5 in the morning. The driver allows you to walk for two hours. This time is enough for shopping, if you do not choose pavilions with queues.

“The pavilions sell tea, coffee, sweets, washing powders, goods for the care of small children. There are almost no clothes. Only Belarusians walk along the rows, so there is no language barrier,” the interlocutor shares.

After the night market, the driver takes the residents of Slutsk to the clothing market called Cavalry. It is considered one of the largest in Poland. You can buy almost everything here: from sweets to shoes, clothes, dishes, appliances. If you doubt whether they will let you through the border with some goods, you can ask the “experienced” Belarusians or the driver.

Prices at the Cavalry Market are almost the same as those at the Fasty night market. There are about 1000 pavilions. Therefore, you should not grab the first blouse or skirt that comes across. You can bargain on the market. People take what is cheaper: curtains, towels, T-shirts, shorts, socks, small items for resale.

As for money, Olga advises taking dollars with you. There are exchangers in the markets where American money can be exchanged for zlotys. However, sellers accept both dollars and zlotys as payment. Calculated at the rate of Polish banks.

ADVICE. To avoid trouble, carry a hand scale with you to periodically weigh new purchases and understand what your purchase limit is.

After the market - snacks and shops

“After the market shopping, we head to the Auchan and Biedronka stores. Large stores like Auchan have cafes where you can dine for $3-10.
Grab everything in the markets is not worth it. The same goods can be bought in stores on the way back, Olga warns. “For example, Biedronka stores have inexpensive food and alcohol, Auchan hypermarket has departments with home appliances, building materials, clothes and shoes.”

Shoes, clothes and appliances can also be bought at the Biala Shopping Center. There are about 100 shops here.

Tax free. How to get a tax refund

Tax Free (or VAT) helps to return the value added tax (VAT) to those who purchased goods in the territory of another state. VAT rates in Poland range from 5% to 23%. The amount of your purchases must exceed 300 Polish zlotys (about 150 rubles).

Need to know about Tax Free:

1. The store where you buy the goods should have a "Tax Free" sign.
2. Ask the seller to issue a VAT refund form. For this you need a passport. Be sure to take a check.
3. At the border with Poland, tell the customs officer that you want to issue Tax Free. You should be given a form to fill out. Most likely, you will be asked to show purchased goods and receipts from stores.
4. It is more convenient for residents of our region to receive a refund at the border at a special point. But you can return the money in Minsk at the branches of Technobank.

1. The national currency of Poland is the zloty. It is better for Belarusians to go to a neighboring country with dollars and exchange them there.
2. Take at least $ 130 with you. This is how much cash a foreigner should have with him when entering Poland for up to 4 days.
3. If you travel abroad once every 3 months or less, the weight of the transported goods must not exceed 50 kg per person (including 35 kg of one indivisible product, such as a microwave oven) and a total amount of up to 1500 euros. If more than once every 3 months, the transported goods are limited to 20 kg with a total value of up to 300 euros.
4. For goods in excess of the norm, you will have to pay duty. When traveling 1 time in 3 months and the cost of purchases is more than 1500 euros - 1/3 of the excess amount. In the case when the weight is over 50 kg - 1/3 of the excess weight, but not less than 4 euros per kilogram, even if the product is actually cheaper.
5. When traveling more than 1 time in 3 months and exceeding the amount of 300 euros or a total weight of more than 20 kg, you will be charged customs duty(depending on the category of goods), customs duty (20 euros or 50 euros - depends on the category of goods) and VAT.

Comparison of prices in Slutsk and Bialystok

Trips to Poland for many Belarusians are interesting not so much from the point of view of tourism, but from the point of view of shopping. Residents of the border areas in the same Bialystok are more often than in their own capital. And there is nothing surprising in this, because even in such a small town as Bialystok you can buy quality goods at affordable prices. But before you go on such a trip, you should find out what is really profitable to bring from Bialystok and how to meet the new rules for importing goods from Poland. We will talk about this now.

What you need to know before traveling to Bialystok

Well, if you are serious about going to Bialystok for shopping, then the most important thing to study is the new rules for importing goods from Poland to Belarus. It should be reminded that since April 2016, some changes have taken place in the Belarusian legislation, in accordance with which the allowable norms for duty-free import of goods have changed. So if you travel abroad no more than once every three months, then goods with a total value of up to 1500EUR and a total weight of up to 50kg are allowed for duty-free transportation. If trips are made more frequently, then the rates are reduced to 300EUR total cost and 20kg total weight.

The countdown of the three-month period is carried out in calendar months, i.e. if you imported goods in June (it does not matter at the beginning or at the end of the month), then the next time you can import goods worth 1500 EUR duty-free no earlier than September. Provided that during these three months you will not travel outside the republic.

There are also separate rules for certain categories of goods. You can learn more about the new rules for the import of goods.

The second important point for profitable shopping in Bialystok is the return of Wat. To make the state more attractive in the eyes of foreigners, the Polish authorities decided to return VAT on certain categories of goods to foreign citizens who export purchased goods outside the Schengen area. Belarusians just apply to this category of foreigners. In Poland, VAT or VAT is different for different categories of goods, this should also be taken into account. You can familiarize yourself with the procedure for returning part of the money from purchases in Poland.

The third point of profitable shopping in Poland can be considered seasonal discounts and sales. Very profitable sales begin in December, when all of Europe is preparing for the most important holiday - Christmas. In addition, sales of summer goods begin in the fall, and winter goods in the spring. However, the majority shopping centers Bialystok offer promotions and discounts to their customers almost every day. So if you don’t have time to wait for a sale, you can look at the promotions in the stores of interest.

What is the most profitable to buy in Bialystok

Well, we have already talked about the secrets of successful and profitable shopping in Bialystok. Let's now figure out what kind of goods the trip will really pay off with.

Electronics and home appliances. It is very profitable to buy household appliances and electronics in Bialystok. Firstly, the price of European producers in Poland is lower than in Belarus (due to the Schengen agreement). Secondly, you can return up to 23% of the check amount from household appliances. Plus, the cost of household appliances is not three kopecks, so 23% is a significant amount.

Repair Items. Many go to Bialystok for goods for repairs. Repair, in principle, is a costly business, so no one minds saving extra money. Again, in the shops of Bialystok you can buy European goods, plus the possibility of returning Wat. The higher the purchase price, the more money you can return.

Auto parts and accessories. Owners of foreign cars often go to Bialystok for new tires. Firstly, in Bialystok, the prices for it are much lower, especially if you have a European car. Secondly, Vata can be returned.

Clothing and footwear. Belarusians often go to Bialystok to update their wardrobe. In Poland, you can buy clothes of world brands that have not yet mastered the Belarusian market. In addition, during the season of discounts and sales, and in outlets and all year round, you can buy clothes, shoes and accessories with a discount of up to 70%.

Childen's goods. Another item among the bargains are children's products. Here we are talking not only about clothes, but also about strollers, car seats, high chairs and other products. You can return up to 23% of the cost from the stroller, but only 7% from the car seat. These nuances should be clarified directly with the seller before buying.

Also, many people prefer to buy cosmetics, medicines, food products in Poland. But these purchases are more likely “to the heap” than a separate item. Buying cheese, sausages and a couple of tubes of cream in Bialystok is not serious!

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Whatever restrictions the Belarusian government imposes on foreign shopping, the inhabitants of this country still prefer to shop in neighboring Poland. There are many reasons for this: regular sales and discounts, the widest range of products and their high quality, as well as the ability to return value added tax in most stores, the amounts of which are sometimes quite impressive. Belarusian tourists-shopaholics from among the readers of our portal tell about what is profitable to buy in Poland.

Nikolai, 41 years old, Pinsk

We have been going to Poland for shopping for many years. It's almost like family tradition. Prior to the introduction of restrictions on the weight of goods, they traveled every month. Now less often - once every two or three months. In order to be able to buy more in the total weight, the wife and son ride in turns. Most often we buy household chemicals, detergents. Wife likes Polish cosmetics. We also buy clothes and shoes in Poland. It is, if not much cheaper, then much better quality. All other purchases are different every time. For example, we recently bought a microwave oven and an electric meat grinder at the MediaMarkt store. In total, only on these two products they saved 60 USD, thereby paying for themselves. From the products we buy in Poland cheeses, red fish, sweets, be sure - juices and seasonings. That, perhaps, is all. Each time, at least 60-65 kilograms come out.

Elena, 31, Minsk

It is almost 350 km from Minsk to Bialystok, so I do not go to Poland often - once every three months. But I always get a lot. I have two children: a 7 year old son and a 4 year old daughter. Therefore, in the list of purchases in the first place - children's clothing and shoes. I buy mainly on sales in large shopping centers and Atrium Biala. I don’t go to the market, it seems to me that much is cheaper in stores. I also buy cosmetics, perfume, household chemicals for home. Last year in Poland I collected a portfolio for my first-grader - I saved twice. If I go on the eve of the holidays, I buy dishes, textiles, household goods for gifts. I do not buy household appliances, because I know little about it. Sometimes I buy vitamins for myself and children.

Sergey, 53 years old, Grodno

I usually go to Bialystok for work, so shopping is not my first priority. But I still go to some stores. Usually the spouse makes a list, all purchases are strictly according to it. Since I travel often, I can not carry much. Basically - something for the house. In this regard, I like small shops like Carrefour, Biedronka. There are always few people in them, often many goods on discounts and cotton wool can be issued. My parents are very elderly people, so I often bring them necessary medicines from Poland. Many of them are cheaper, there are simply no others in Belarus. Sometimes my wife travels with me. She buys clothes for me and herself, shoes. For example, in autumn we saved a decent amount on winter clothes. We're planning to freshen up our wardrobe for spring. Sometimes I buy auto parts, they are also cheaper here.

Vladimir, 29 years old, Slonim

I am currently building a house, because all my purchases are mainly related to this. Building materials, wallpaper, repair tools, furniture, household appliances - something like this in a nutshell can describe my purchases. True, after the introduction of restrictions, one has to be very careful with such purchases: I make sure that there is no excess, I declare everything necessary. Sometimes my friends go with me, then you can buy a little more. I rarely buy clothes and shoes, I don’t like to choose for a long time, and in Polish shopping centers my eyes run wide. I usually go to any and take what I immediately liked. I rarely look at the price: I know that we are still more expensive.

Marina, 48 years old, Slutsk

I have only been to Poland a couple of times so far. I noticed that it is more profitable to buy household chemicals, children's goods there. At the request of her daughter, she was carrying diapers for her granddaughter. They turned out to be almost three times cheaper than in Belarus. In Bialystok, a baby stroller was bought at the market. Initially, the price was not much lower than ours. But after the return of VAT, the purchase turned out to be very profitable. I bought textiles in the market: bed sheets, curtains, blankets. Very large selection and low prices. I don’t understand brands, so the simpler the better for me. The main thing is that you like it externally and fit in size. I bought myself and my daughter dishes, sets of pots. In the RTVevroAGD home appliances store in Auchan, my husband and I bought a TV and a vacuum cleaner. I plan to buy a dishwasher for my home. The main thing is that it fits in weight. In general, shopping there, of course, is more profitable, but there are so many goods that you get lost. Therefore, it is better to have at least some wish list with you. Otherwise, it is very difficult to stop.

Everyone knows that Poland is very profitable to go shopping. But what exactly makes sense to buy in this attractive country for tourists? What do enterprising guests from neighboring countries buy in Polish supermarkets?

TOP profitable purchases

• In the first place - household appliances and electronics. In the hypermarkets of Polish cities, the prices for these goods are significantly lower, and the possibility of VAT refund makes them even more attractive.
• In second place are goods for repair. In specialized stores, buyers are just waiting for a huge selection of high-quality finishing materials, accessories, tools. Windows, doors, floor coverings and much more are brought from here.
• The third place in the TOP list is occupied by auto parts and auto accessories.
• Next group popular products- clothing and footwear. Fashionistas and women of fashion know that in Polish stores you can dress fashionably and stylishly at very attractive prices.
• Children's products are also on this list. This includes baby food, clothing, hygiene products, strollers, toys, furniture, school supplies.
• Many tourists come to Poland for medicines, which can also be purchased here at attractive prices. It is noteworthy that pharmacies accept prescriptions issued in Belarusian clinics.
• Household chemicals and cosmetics can always be found in the bags of tourists, even if they came for completely different goods.
• Food products are also brought home by almost all foreign buyers. It is difficult to resist and not to buy delicious meat products and sweets in reserve. Tea, coffee and alcoholic drinks in local supermarkets are inexpensive, so guests of the country rarely resist the temptation.

Secrets of profitable shopping in Poland

Experts in Polish shopping recommend preparing for the trip in advance. Visit the websites of large shopping centers and hypermarkets, compare prices in various stores, get acquainted with profitable promotions, current discounts and motivational programs.

Our site contains addresses of shopping centers and hypermarkets, and other cities that are attractive for bargain shopping. Research their locations in advance, see how you can get to them, pay attention to the opening hours and weekends of hypermarkets.

Please note that it is allowed to transport no more than 50 kg of cargo across the border for free, while bulky goods must weigh no more than 35 kg. Everything else will have to pay customs duty.

In addition, there are a number of other restrictions, according to which it is not allowed to transport more than one piece of household appliances and other goods from a certain list, as well as to make no more than three large purchases per visit to the country.