Why Poland and Italy Matter for Czech Sellers
Poland and Italy represent two of the fastest-growing e-commerce markets in Europe, and both are attractive expansion targets for Czech sellers. However, each country has unique EPR requirements that differ significantly from Germany or France. Poland's BDO register system and Italy's fragmented CONAI/RAEE approach present different challenges and compliance pathways.
Many Czech sellers assume that EPR registration in the Czech Republic transfers to other EU markets. It does not. You must register separately in Poland and Italy, with different registration authorities, different fee structures, and different reporting requirements. Failure to understand this distinction has led to accounts being suspended on Polish and Italian marketplaces.
What is BDO?
BDO (Baza Danych Opakowań – Packaging Database) is Poland's national registry for packaging producers and distributors. It's the only official EPR registration system in Poland. All sellers distributing packaged goods in Poland must register with BDO, regardless of whether they sell through Amazon, Allegro, or other channels.
BDO Registration Process
- Register a Polish company entity (if you don't already have one). Foreign sellers can register as a distributor with a PESEL number (Polish identification number).
- Create a BDO account at bdo.pmazowsze.gov.pl (the official BDO portal)
- Fill in packaging data: product types, weight, material composition (plastic, cardboard, glass, metal, etc.)
- Submit annual fee payment. Poland's 2026 packaging fees start at €25-50 per year for minimal submissions, up to €500+ for high-volume sellers.
- Receive BDO identification number for your account
Common Mistakes in Poland
- Underreporting packaging weight or material to reduce fees (BDO conducts audits and penalties are severe)
- Missing annual reporting deadline (typically March 31). Non-compliance results in account suspension on Allegro
- Failing to update BDO when product portfolio changes (adding new products or packaging types requires notification)
Polish language support is available, but the BDO system is technical. Hiring a local Polish consultant or registration agent (kostuje ~€50-100) can save significant time and prevent costly mistakes. ekoniq can handle BDO registration on your behalf.
The Fragmented Italian System
Unlike Poland's unified BDO system, Italy has two separate EPR systems: CONAI (for packaging) and RAEE/Centro di Coordinamento RAEE (for electrical and electronic waste). Sellers must register separately for each product type they distribute.
CONAI (Packaging)
CONAI (Consorzio Nazionale Imballaggi) manages packaging EPR in Italy. All sellers distributing packaged goods must affiliate with CONAI or one of its approved consortia (CIAL for aluminum, COREPLA for plastic, COMIECO for paper/cardboard, CONSORZIO RILEGNO for wood, CORVESIO for glass).
CONAI fees are based on packaging material type and weight. 2026 fees range from €15-40 per ton of packaging waste.
RAEE/Centro di Coordinamento (Electronics)
Centro di Coordinamento RAEE manages electronic waste EPR in Italy. Any seller distributing electrical or electronic products (computers, phones, appliances, LED lights, etc.) must register separately with RAEE. This is different from packaging registration and has its own fee structure.
RAEE registration requires detailed product categorization (10 different WEEE categories). Fees are based on estimated annual unit sales of each product category.
Comparison: Poland vs Italy
| Aspect | Poland (BDO) | Italy (CONAI/RAEE) |
|---|---|---|
| Registration Authority | Unified (BDO Portal) | Fragmented (CONAI + RAEE) |
| Annual Fee | €25-500 (packaging only) | €15-40/ton (CONAI) + €0.50-3/unit (RAEE) |
| Reporting Deadline | March 31 (annually) | Varies by system; RAEE quarterly |
| Marketplace Enforcement | Allegro actively checks (strict) | Amazon Italy & eBay starting enforcement Q2 2026 |
2026 Key Deadlines
- January 15, 2026: If selling in Italy, register with CONAI/RAEE before this date to avoid marketplace restrictions starting February 1
- February 28, 2026: BDO registration deadline for Poland (if not already registered)
- March 31, 2026: BDO annual reporting deadline for Poland (mandatory)
- April 30, 2026: CONAI annual fee payment deadline (Italy packaging)
- Q2 2026: Amazon Italy & eBay Italy begin enforcing EPR verification (CONAI/RAEE required)
Common Mistakes Czech Sellers Make
Mistake #1:
Assuming Czech EPR registration covers Poland and Italy. It does not. Each country requires separate registration with its own authority.
Mistake #2:
Registering in Italy with CONAI only, forgetting RAEE for electronics. Sellers with both packaged and electronic products face suspension for missing RAEE registration.
Mistake #3:
Missing reporting deadlines and continuing to sell. Non-compliance in Poland results in Allegro account suspension. In Italy, marketplace delisting begins in Q2 2026 for unregistered sellers.
Assuming Czech EPR registration covers Poland and Italy. It does not. Each country requires separate registration with its own authority.
Registering in Italy with CONAI only, forgetting RAEE for electronics. Sellers with both packaged and electronic products face suspension for missing RAEE registration.
Missing reporting deadlines and continuing to sell. Non-compliance in Poland results in Allegro account suspension. In Italy, marketplace delisting begins in Q2 2026 for unregistered sellers.
Expand to Poland & Italy with EPR Confidence
ekoniq handles BDO registration, CONAI/RAEE setup, and ongoing compliance for Czech sellers expanding to Poland and Italy. We manage the complexity so you can focus on growing your business.
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