To import tiles into Germany or Poland, the rules that matter most are EU-wide: CE marking under EN 14411, a Declaration of Performance, EU customs tariff and any anti-dumping duty. National practice then adds language, slip-rating habits and what your own customers ask for.
Because the EU is a single customs territory, the same duty and the same marking rules apply whether the container lands at Hamburg or Gdansk. The differences come after clearance.
What is the same across the EU?
Tiles are construction products under the EU Construction Products Regulation, and the harmonised standard is EN 14411, which is aligned with ISO 13006. The manufacturer draws up a Declaration of Performance and affixes CE marking. You, as importer, must check that this has been done, keep the documents and put your name and address on the product or its packaging. See CE marking for tiles and ISO 13006 and EN 14411.
On duty, look up the ten-digit code with India as origin in the TARIC database. As of October 2026 an anti-dumping duty also applies to ceramic tiles from India under Implementing Regulation (EU) 2023/265, with a rate per exporter. Which countries have anti-dumping duties on Indian tiles gives the detail, and import VAT is charged at the rate of the member state where the goods are released.
What differs between Germany and Poland?
Language is the first difference. The Declaration of Performance and any safety information must be available in the language the member state requires, so ask the factory for translated versions or arrange them yourself. Confirm with your local authority or customs broker what each country expects.
Specifications differ in practice. German buyers often specify slip resistance using the DIN 51130 R-classes for shod use, and wet barefoot areas use A, B and C classes, so R ratings from other schemes may not be accepted by a German architect. Polish projects usually follow the specification of the developer or contractor, so ask what test reports they require before you order. Neither point is a legal import rule, but both decide whether the tile sells.
What do EU importers check before ordering?
- That the factory's Declaration of Performance covers the exact product, size and body type you are buying.
- That the test report is from an accredited laboratory and matches the declared values.
- That the exporter named on the invoice is the one that holds the anti-dumping rate you are planning on.
- That packaging shows the CE information, the importer details and the language your market needs.
- That shade, calibre and grade are written into the contract, because EU customers return mixed batches.
Why use the lab report, not the catalogue?
The customs code depends on water absorption, and the Declaration of Performance depends on test results. A catalogue figure is not evidence. Reading a laboratory certificate shows what to check, and the founding article on the factory audit report explains how to confirm that the plant can repeat the result.
Ask the factory to show the Declaration of Performance with declared values for each characteristic, and check that the values match the report. If a factory cannot produce this for the exact tile you are buying, treat it as a warning, because the legal responsibility for placing the product on the EU market rests with you as importer.
Next step
We confirm the Declaration of Performance, test report and exporter name before you pay a deposit, and supervise loading. To plan an EU order, book a free sourcing review.