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As of January 1, 2025, higher BDO annual fees apply to businesses. The deadline for payment is February 28, and failure to pay can result in delisting and financial penalties. What do online store owners need to keep in mind? Shoper experts analyze the most important aspects of the new regulations.
Entrepreneurs registered with the Database of Products and Packaging and Waste Management (BDO) as of January 2025 face increased annual fees:
- Microenterprises (employing up to 10 people and with a turnover not exceeding €2 million) - PLN 200 (increase from PLN 100)
- other entrepreneurs - PLN 800 (increase from PLN 300)
The deadline for payment is February 28, 2025. Failure to pay the fee on time will result in deletion from the register, which for online stores can mean serious legal and financial consequences.
Who is covered by the BDO annual fee obligation?
The obligation applies to both online and stationary stores. In particular, the changes affect sellers who market:
- electronics and audio/video devices
- products containing batteries or accumulators
- goods in plastic packaging
- automotive supplies (including tires and oils)
Importers, manufacturers and intra-Community purchasers of packaging, as well as authorized representatives of non-EU equipment manufacturers are also subject to registration and payment.
- From the perspective of our clients, we see that the issue of BDO fees often raises questions. However, it is worth remembering that new entrepreneurs who are just starting out and register with BDO have a certain advantage - in the first calendar year they pay only the registration fee. Only from the following year comes the obligation to pay an annual fee. This is important information for online store owners who are just entering the e-commerce market. - explains Michal Rokuszewski, Head of Ecommerce Logistics at Shoper.
What do online store owners need to keep in mind?
The BDO annual fee should be paid to the account of the relevant Marshal's office corresponding to the place of business. Account numbers are available on the websites of the marshal offices.
For efficient management of BDO-related duties, online stores should include these dates in their schedule:
- until February 28, 2025 - mandatory BDO annual fee
- by March 15, 2025 - report on packaging management
- by March 31, 2025 - report on electrical and electronic equipment
- Online store owners should prioritize the BDO topic not only because of financial penalties, but also because of the growing environmental awareness of consumers. More and more shoppers are checking whether a store operates in accordance with sustainable principles and handles waste management responsibly. - Says Nina Pankiewicz, ESG Specialist at Shoper.
Consequences of not registering and paying
The consequences of BDO-related irregularities can be severe for online retailers. Failure to comply with the obligation could result in, among other things:
- Deletion from the BDO register, making it impossible to legally sell many product categories
- Administrative penalty from PLN 1,000 to even PLN 1,000,000
- the problem of collecting and disposing of packaging waste
- The risk of negative customer feedback drawing attention to compliance with environmental regulations
The new BDO fee rates are an important change for the e-commerce industry in 2025, so online store owners should plan now for the necessary measures and secure funds for timely payment.
Shoper Group
Shoper Group is a leading provider of e-commerce solutions in Poland that has been shaping the standards of online sales since 2005. The country's most popular SaaS platform, Shoper is a complete technology solution that includes all the necessary tools to launch, run and scale online sales - from an intuitive store builder, to advanced merchandise management features, to tools to increase conversions. The platform is used by well-known brands such as Gym Glamour, WK Dzik, Irving and Doppelherz.
The group consists of four brands: the flagship Shoper platform, Apilo - a multi-channel sales management tool, Sempire - an SEO/SEM agency with an AI and GEO competence center, and Selium - a team of marketplace experts. The organization employs more than 450 specialists in five locations.
Since July 2021, the company has been listed on the Warsaw Stock Exchange and is included in the sWIG80 index, confirming its strong market position. In January 2025, the Group's position was further strengthened through a strategic partnership with cyber_Folks, which took a 49.9% stake in the company. The Group offers a comprehensive ecosystem in the areas of multi-channel sales, logistics, payments and online advertising, and its mission is to automate e-commerce processes, enabling entrepreneurs to focus on business growth. For more information about the company: https:shoper
