Polish customs officials intercepted an illegal shipment of waste during a routine inspection on the A4 motorway near Gliwice on Monday (Sep 2). The truck, which was transporting goods from Germany, was found to be carrying mixed waste instead of the declared aluminium components, as reported by the Katowice Tax Administration Chamber.
The Silesian Customs and Tax Office stopped the vehicle at a toll booth and discovered a cargo that included plastic, used diapers, and wood, alongside aluminium. The truck, registered with Polish license plates, was transporting the waste without proper documentation, and the carrier had not secured the necessary permit from Poland’s Chief Inspectorate of Environmental Protection.
The Provincial Inspectorate for Environmental Protection (WIOŚ) confirmed that the waste had been incorrectly classified, making the transport illegal. As a result, the company responsible for the shipment faces an administrative fine of up to 42,000 PLN (about 9,000 EUR). The Silesian Customs and Tax Office has referred the case to its Customs Procedure Department for further investigation.
In addition to the misclassification, authorities noted that the transport had not been properly registered in Poland’s SENT system, which tracks the movement of sensitive goods like fuel and waste. Further penalties may be imposed as the investigation continues.