Polish authorities have charged five individuals for circumventing EU sanctions on plywood imports from Russia and Belarus. The arrests were made on 18 December 2025 by the Maritime Border Guard and the Pomeranian Customs and Tax Office. Those charged include three Polish citizens and two Russian nationals, aged between 43 and 64.
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Investigators found that a group of related Pomeranian companies falsified delivery records, mislabelled countries of origin, and assigned incorrect tariff codes to evade sanctions between 2022 and 2024. Evidence included European Anti-Fraud Office (OLAF) protocols, European Commission reports, and wood sample analyses. Convictions could carry sentences of three to 30 years.
Marek Janke, CEO of Paged Plywood, praised the prosecution, noting that such illegal practices undermine fair competition in the timber industry. He warned that both importers and companies knowingly using illegally imported plywood could face consequences, signalling a strong message to the market. The investigation remains ongoing, with further charges expected in 2026.
The case represents one of the first high-profile enforcement actions against sanctions violations in Poland, highlighting the authorities' efforts to restore integrity to the domestic timber sector.
Source: www.biznes-meble.pl
