The Polish finance ministry has issued special tables for Customs officers giving minimum prices for shoes and textiles imported from mainland China and Far East countries. The move is aimed at curbing the “artificial” lowering of import invoices and has been supported by the Polish Chamber of Leather Industry and its sister chamber responsible for textiles. Both chambers have prepared the tables stipulating the basic (normal) values of single shoes and textiles. All prices found in the invoices which are lower automatically trigger a thorough check of all papers as well as the importer’s books.

According to a ministry spokesman the letter sent to Customs offices cannot be considered as a law, but only as an indication to Customs officers on how to avoid fraud. According to both chambers around 100,000 workers have lost their jobs due to excessive and partially illegal imports of shoes and textiles from the Far East in recent years.

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