Three Gold Bars Worth 17.5 Million UAH Seized from Ukrainian Woman by Polish Customs

Incident at the Smilnytsia-Kroscienko Border Crossing

According to Radiotrek — Світ: On July 11, 2026, officers from Poland's National Tax Administration (KAS) intercepted an illegal transport of three gold bars at the Smilnytsia-Kroscienko checkpoint on the Polish-Ukrainian border. The seized gold, valued at approximately 1.5 million Polish zloty (over 17.5 million Ukrainian hryvnia), weighed about three kilograms and was hidden in special pouches beneath the clothing of a 46-year-old Ukrainian woman.

Authorities discovered the concealed bars using a specialized scanner. In response, the Podkarpackie Customs and Tax Office in Przemyśl launched an investigation. Under European Union regulations, individuals crossing the EU's external border must declare cash or valuables exceeding 10,000 euros.

Legal Consequences

Beyond the gold seizure, officials also confiscated 23,400 euros from the woman as collateral for a potential fine. Criminal proceedings have been initiated against the 46-year-old Ukrainian citizen for attempting to smuggle the gold bars across the border. This case highlights the strict enforcement of customs rules at EU borders.

This incident underscores the vigilance of Polish customs authorities in combating the smuggling of valuables, aligning with the EU's broader strategy to tighten controls at its external borders.

It also serves as a reminder for all travelers to comply with customs regulations, as violations can lead to severe legal repercussions.

This recent incident is not the only case highlighting the challenges faced by Ukrainian nationals in Poland. For example, a Ukrainian woman recently received a significant fine for using a counterfeit medical certificate, which illustrates the broader issues of legal compliance among travelers. To learn more about the implications of such actions, read about the hefty penalties faced in similar situations here.