Made here

The twenty imports Poland is best placed to replace.

Poland imported USD 346bn of manufactured goods in 2024 and exported USD 329bn. These are the twenty that sit closest to what it already makes well and where one country supplies most of them.

USD 16bnthe twenty, imported in 2024
205products imported at scale, not yet exported well, and close to existing strengths
1715products Poland already exports well
2389product lines imported at USD 10m or more
The twenty

Demand, capability, exposure. Nothing else is claimed.

Each line shows the import bill, where it comes from, the nearest thing Poland already exports well, and how many countries make it. It does not say whether a plant in Poland would pay. That reason is not in any trade record, and it is the maker's question.

This edition is trade and capability only, scored out of 8. The UK edition adds which public bodies buy each product and which region holds the capability; those layers are built only where a country publishes contract awards and regional trade, and Poland does not publish them in a form this record can read yet.

  1. 1

    Ammunition: cartridges and parts thereof n.e.c. in heading no. 9306HS 930630

    Comes fromSouth Korea 62%, 33 source countries
    Nearest export strengthAmmunition: n.e.c. in chapter 93 (exports USD 1.9bn)
    Exports of this lineUSD 26m; 1 more line in the heading, USD 36m
    Countries that export it well27

    Score 7 of 8: import bill USD 447m, top 7 per cent of candidates (3); proximity to Poland's export strengths in the top 23 per cent (2); South Korea supplies 62 per cent (2).

    USD 447mup 329% on 2022
  2. 2

    Oil-cake and other solid residues: whether or not ground or in the form of pellets, resulting from the extraction of...HS 230630

    Comes fromUkraine 91%, 16 source countries
    Nearest export strengthDog or cat food: put up for retail sale, used in animal feeding (exports USD 2.2bn)
    Exports of this lineUSD 16m
    Countries that export it well23

    Score 7 of 8: import bill USD 138m, top 21 per cent of candidates (2); proximity to Poland's export strengths in the top 3 per cent (3); Ukraine supplies 91 per cent (2).

    USD 138mup 1% on 2022
  3. 3

    Tanks and other armoured fighting vehicles: motorised, whether or not fitted with weapons, and parts of such vehiclesHS 871000

    Comes fromSouth Korea 77%, 21 source countries
    Nearest export strengthVehicles: with only compression-ignition internal combustion piston... (exports USD 5.1bn)
    Exports of this lineUSD 105m
    Countries that export it well19

    Score 6 of 8: import bill USD 1.4bn, top 2 per cent of candidates (3); proximity to Poland's export strengths in the top 50 per cent (1); South Korea supplies 77 per cent (2).

    USD 1.4bnup 482% on 2022
  4. 4

    Paper and paperboard: uncoated, fluting paper other than semi-chemical or straw, rolls or sheetsHS 480519

    Comes fromGermany 66%, 24 source countries
    Nearest export strengthPaper and paperboard: folding cartons, boxes and cases, of... (exports USD 716m)
    Exports of this lineUSD 59m; 3 more lines in the heading, USD 219m
    Countries that export it well24

    Score 6 of 8: import bill USD 416m, top 7 per cent of candidates (3); proximity to Poland's export strengths in the top 48 per cent (1); Germany supplies 66 per cent (2).

    USD 416mdown 18% on 2022
  5. 5

    Iron or non-alloy steel: bars and rods, hot-rolled, hot-drawn or hot-extruded, containing indentations, ribs, grooves...HS 721420

    Comes fromGermany 60%, 34 source countries
    Nearest export strengthFerrous waste and scrap: n.e.c. in heading no. 7204 (exports USD 770m)
    Exports of this lineUSD 90m
    Countries that export it well45

    Score 6 of 8: import bill USD 335m, top 10 per cent of candidates (3); proximity to Poland's export strengths in the top 30 per cent (1); Germany supplies 60 per cent (2).

    USD 335mdown 3% on 2022
  6. 6

    Vehicles: break-down lorries, road-sweepers, spraying lorries, mobile workshops, mobile radiological units, and other...HS 870590

    Comes fromUnited States 41%, 33 source countries
    Nearest export strengthVehicles: with only compression-ignition internal combustion piston... (exports USD 5.1bn)
    Exports of this lineUSD 107m; 1 more line in the heading, USD 93m
    Countries that export it well26

    Score 5 of 8: import bill USD 236m, top 13 per cent of candidates (2); proximity to Poland's export strengths in the top 24 per cent (2); United States supplies 41 per cent (1).

    USD 236mup 6% on 2022
  7. 7

    Wood: coniferous species, of fir (Abies spp.) and spruce (Picea spp.), sawn or chipped lengthwise, sliced or peeled...HS 440712

    Comes fromSweden 36%, 21 source countries
    Nearest export strengthWood: pallets, box pallets and other load boards: pallet collars (exports USD 683m)
    Exports of this lineUSD 50m; 3 more lines in the heading, USD 125m
    Countries that export it well21

    Score 5 of 8: import bill USD 200m, top 15 per cent of candidates (2); proximity to Poland's export strengths in the top 6 per cent (3).

    USD 200mdown 12% on 2022
  8. 8

    Iron or non-alloy steel: flat-rolled, width less than 600mm, plated or coated with zinc (not electrolytically)HS 721230

    Comes fromGermany 65%, 31 source countries
    Nearest export strengthFerrous waste and scrap: n.e.c. in heading no. 7204 (exports USD 770m)
    Exports of this lineUSD 38m; 3 more lines in the heading, USD 66m
    Countries that export it well27

    Score 5 of 8: import bill USD 150m, top 19 per cent of candidates (2); proximity to Poland's export strengths in the top 33 per cent (1); Germany supplies 65 per cent (2).

    USD 150mdown 8% on 2022
  9. 9

    Wood: for fuel, sawdust and wood waste and scrap, agglomerated in wood pelletsHS 440131

    Comes fromUkraine 69%, 31 source countries
    Nearest export strengthWood: pallets, box pallets and other load boards: pallet collars (exports USD 683m)
    Exports of this lineUSD 41m; 1 more line in the heading, USD 23m
    Countries that export it well21

    Score 5 of 8: import bill USD 52m, top 47 per cent of candidates (1); proximity to Poland's export strengths in the top 25 per cent (2); Ukraine supplies 69 per cent (2).

    USD 52mdown 36% on 2022
  10. 10

    Medicaments: consisting of mixed or unmixed products n.e.c. in heading no. 3004, for therapeutic or prophylactic uses...HS 300490

    Comes fromGermany 25%, 75 source countries
    Nearest export strengthMedicaments: containing corticosteroid hormones, their derivatives... (exports USD 224m)
    Exports of this lineUSD 2.8bn; 6 more lines in the heading, USD 1.3bn
    Countries that export it well32

    Score 4 of 8: import bill USD 5.6bn, top 0 per cent of candidates (3); proximity to Poland's export strengths in the top 34 per cent (1).

    USD 5.6bnup 15% on 2022
  11. 11

    Aluminium: unwrought, alloysHS 760120

    Comes fromNorway 27%, 51 source countries
    Nearest export strengthAluminium: articles n.e.c. in heading 7616 (exports USD 865m)
    Exports of this lineUSD 481m; 1 more line in the heading, USD 453m
    Countries that export it well35

    Score 4 of 8: import bill USD 1.6bn, top 1 per cent of candidates (3); proximity to Poland's export strengths in the top 32 per cent (1).

    USD 1.6bndown 22% on 2022
  12. 12

    Copper: waste and scrapHS 740400

    Comes fromGermany 33%, 43 source countries
    Nearest export strengthCopper: refined, unwrought, cathodes and sections of cathodes (exports USD 2.6bn)
    Exports of this lineUSD 605m
    Countries that export it well76

    Score 4 of 8: import bill USD 922m, top 3 per cent of candidates (3); proximity to Poland's export strengths in the top 30 per cent (1).

    USD 922mdown 8% on 2022
  13. 13

    Propylene, other olefin polymers: polypropylene in primary formsHS 390210

    Comes fromGermany 22%, 53 source countries
    Nearest export strengthPlastics: other articles n.e.c. in chapter 39 (exports USD 2.3bn)
    Exports of this lineUSD 352m; 3 more lines in the heading, USD 580m
    Countries that export it well26

    Score 4 of 8: import bill USD 833m, top 3 per cent of candidates (3); proximity to Poland's export strengths in the top 47 per cent (1).

    USD 833mdown 18% on 2022
  14. 14

    Medical, surgical or dental instruments and appliances: n.e.c. in heading no. 9018HS 901890

    Comes fromGermany 22%, 92 source countries
    Nearest export strengthHearing aids (excluding parts and accessories) (exports USD 1.3bn)
    Exports of this lineUSD 798m; 8 more lines in the heading, USD 850m
    Countries that export it well23

    Score 4 of 8: import bill USD 791m, top 3 per cent of candidates (3); proximity to Poland's export strengths in the top 42 per cent (1).

    USD 791mup 39% on 2022
  15. 15

    Ethylene polymers: in primary forms, polyethylene having a specific gravity of less than 0.94HS 390110

    Comes fromNetherlands 19%, 54 source countries
    Nearest export strengthPlastics: other articles n.e.c. in chapter 39 (exports USD 2.3bn)
    Exports of this lineUSD 112m; 4 more lines in the heading, USD 1.2bn
    Countries that export it well28

    Score 4 of 8: import bill USD 718m, top 4 per cent of candidates (3); proximity to Poland's export strengths in the top 49 per cent (1).

    USD 718mdown 24% on 2022
  16. 16

    Pumps and compressors: parts, of air or vacuum pumps, air or other gas compressors and fans, ventilating or recycling...HS 841490

    Comes fromChina 33%, 72 source countries
    Nearest export strengthTurbines: parts of turbo-jets and turbo-propellers (exports USD 2.8bn)
    Exports of this lineUSD 186m; 5 more lines in the heading, USD 551m
    Countries that export it well24

    Score 4 of 8: import bill USD 494m, top 6 per cent of candidates (3); proximity to Poland's export strengths in the top 43 per cent (1).

    USD 494mup 7% on 2022
  17. 17

    Electrical apparatus: switches n.e.c. in heading no. 8536, for a voltage not exceeding 1000 voltsHS 853650

    Comes fromGermany 35%, 109 source countries
    Nearest export strengthElectric accumulators: lithium-ion, including separators, whether or... (exports USD 7.4bn)
    Exports of this lineUSD 282m; 6 more lines in the heading, USD 1.2bn
    Countries that export it well29

    Score 4 of 8: import bill USD 446m, top 7 per cent of candidates (3); proximity to Poland's export strengths in the top 28 per cent (1).

    USD 446mup 0% on 2022
  18. 18

    Machines and mechanical appliances: parts, of those having individual functionsHS 847990

    Comes fromGermany 34%, 71 source countries
    Nearest export strengthTurbines: parts of turbo-jets and turbo-propellers (exports USD 2.8bn)
    Exports of this lineUSD 272m; 4 more lines in the heading, USD 331m
    Countries that export it well22

    Score 4 of 8: import bill USD 422m, top 7 per cent of candidates (3); proximity to Poland's export strengths in the top 40 per cent (1).

    USD 422mup 20% on 2022
  19. 19

    T-shirts, singlets and other vests: of textile materials (other than cotton), knitted or crochetedHS 610990

    Comes fromGermany 24%, 118 source countries
    Nearest export strengthJerseys, pullovers, cardigans, waistcoats and similar articles: of... (exports USD 676m)
    Exports of this lineUSD 192m
    Countries that export it well41

    Score 4 of 8: import bill USD 413m, top 7 per cent of candidates (3); proximity to Poland's export strengths in the top 42 per cent (1).

    USD 413mup 41% on 2022
  20. 20

    Electrical transformers, static converters and inductors: parts thereofHS 850490

    Comes fromChina 21%, 65 source countries
    Nearest export strengthElectric accumulators: lithium-ion, including separators, whether or... (exports USD 7.4bn)
    Exports of this lineUSD 215m; 6 more lines in the heading, USD 386m
    Countries that export it well25

    Score 4 of 8: import bill USD 357m, top 9 per cent of candidates (3); proximity to Poland's export strengths in the top 39 per cent (1).

    USD 357mup 13% on 2022

One line per customs heading. Products Poland already exports well and still imports are below, because they are a different conversation. No employment figures appear on this page, by decision.

Made here already, still imported

Scale conversations, not capability ones.

  • Vehicles: with both spark-ignition internal combustion piston engine and... imports USD 5.3bn, exports USD 2.3bn, top source Japan 20%
  • Footwear: n.e.c. in heading no. 6403, (not covering the ankle), outer soles of... imports USD 1.9bn, exports USD 829m, top source Germany 29%
  • T-shirts, singlets and other vests: of cotton, knitted or crocheted imports USD 1.6bn, exports USD 672m, top source Bangladesh 37%
  • Footwear: (other than sportswear), with outer soles of rubber or plastics and... imports USD 1.3bn, exports USD 522m, top source China 27%
  • Iron or non-alloy steel: flat-rolled, width 600mm or more, painted, varnished... imports USD 990m, exports USD 233m, top source Germany 19%
  • Jerseys, pullovers, cardigans, waistcoats and similar articles: of cotton... imports USD 1.4bn, exports USD 676m, top source Germany 21%
  • Jerseys, pullovers, cardigans, waistcoats and similar articles: of man-made... imports USD 1.2bn, exports USD 606m, top source China 27%
  • Trousers, bib and brace overalls, breeches and shorts: men's or boys', of... imports USD 1.4bn, exports USD 768m, top source Bangladesh 29%
  • Vehicles: with only compression-ignition internal combustion piston engine... imports USD 2.8bn, exports USD 2.2bn, top source Germany 41%
  • Trousers, bib and brace overalls, breeches and shorts: women's or girls', of... imports USD 1.2bn, exports USD 728m, top source Bangladesh 33%
How the twenty were chosen

Three scores, each from a field the record carries.

Import bill, 0 to 3, by percentile among the 2389 lines imported at USD 10m or more: above the median one point, top quarter two, top tenth three.

Proximity to export strengths, 0 to 3, on the same percentiles: the product-space method (Hidalgo, Klinger, Barabasi and Hausmann, Science 2007) on CEPII's BACI file of every bilateral trade flow for 2024, 157 countries and 5,388 products. Two products are close when the countries that export one well tend to export the other well. Only products in the upper half for proximity can enter the list at all: best placed is a proximity claim.

Supply concentration, 0 to 2: one point when a single country supplies 40 per cent or more, two at 60 per cent.

Scope. Manufactured goods, customs chapters 16 to 96, excluding ores, fuels and precious metals. Primary agriculture is out of scope for a page about manufacture.

What it cannot tell you

A map of where to look.

Trade data says what crossed the border, not why. Cost, scale, patents, tariffs and the plain fact that a supplier is good at it are all invisible here. The world file reconciles what each pair of countries reports, so a national customs file would differ in detail. Nothing on this page is a forecast or a promise.

Source: CEPII BACI, HS22, version 202601, years 2022 to 2024. Edition of 2026-11-02. The UK edition with its procurement and regional layers is at /made-here/.

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