Gdańsk is an unquestionably business-friendly city. The city also has a unique economic structure. The presence of fuel and energy concerns, the shipbuilding industry, a well-developed and multi-channel transport system make Gdansk extremely attractive for business. Both for stationary and online business.
Online shop as an idea for your own business.
Gdansk is a city where e-business has broad development prospects. The powerful growth potential of the e-commerce market is mainly influenced by factors such as:
- wide access to affordable, imported and sought-after goods that are currently in demand,
- access to an extensive database of storage space,
- well-developed and multi-channel transport with other cities in the country and abroad,
- no need for a contract with a specific courier company.
Easy access to imported goods
As a port city, Gdansk provides traders with access to a wide range of goods imported from abroad by sea transport. In 2022 alone, 14.8 million tonnes of goods were handled in the Port of Gdansk, of which as much as 6 million tonnes are small goods shipped directly from foreign producers. This allows for a significant reduction in the cost of stocking the e-shop by eliminating the intermediary such as the wholesaler.
Storage areas
The development of e-commerce is also facilitated by the wide access to warehouse space located in the vicinity of the port. Because of the short distance between the warehouse and the place where the goods are delivered, the costs of transporting and storing commercial items are reduced.
Multi-channel transport
The profitability of e-commerce is also supported by an extensively developed national and international transport network. As Gdańsk is a city that allows direct shipping of goods by sea, air, rail and of course road. The wide range of transport options in turn translates into lower shipping costs, and smooth delivery of products to the recipient.
Courier deliveries
An irrefutable argument in favour of the cost-effectiveness of online sales in Gdansk is the absence of a contract with a courier company. This is an aspect that plays a key role in reducing all costs, especially in the initial phase of the business. The lack of need to be bound by a contract with a specific courier company also has the advantage of not forcing the declaration of the number of parcels sent per month, the number of which would have to be calculated purely hypothetically at the initial stage of the business.
Those starting out in e-commerce have the option of sending parcels via the city's extensive network of Paczkomat InPost machines, of which there are now more than 330 in the Gdańsk area.
How do I set up a business in Gdansk?
Formally, setting up a one-person business in Gdańsk is no different from registering a company in other Polish cities. The first and basic step to be taken is to obtain an electronic entry in CEIDG, i.e. the Central Register and Information on Business Activity. Such an entry can be obtained by submitting an online application using the "Register a company" tab.
Information to CEIDG
The required information needed for business registration includes:
- Personal data such as name, date and place of birth and parents' names.
- Details of type and series of identity document and PESEL number.
- Nationality held.
- Business address.
- The full name of the company, which must include the name of the owner and the abbreviated name of the company.
- Polish Classification of Activities (PKD) codes.
- The number of employees, if any will be hired.
- Information on the payment of insurance contributions to ZUS, KRUS or abroad.
- Details of the tax office with jurisdiction over the place of residence.
- And the date of the planned commencement of business activities.
When submitting an electronic application, it is advisable to make an immediate declaration to the relevant social security institution. Also to the Tax Office together with the choice of the form of taxation.
Other helpful institutions
A compendium of knowledge made available at the following address is also undeniably helpful in registering a business: https://asystent.gdansk.gda.pl/poradnik and 'Gdansk Entrepreneur Assistant' located at: https://asystent.gdansk.gda.pl/kroki .
An application to register a business in Gdansk can also be submitted in person at the Business Activity Register Department at ul. Nowe Ogrody 8/12, room 117. And at the Business Activity Register Service Points located:
- At the Residents' Services Complex No. 3 located at 8/12 Nowe Ogrody Street, at stands 10 and 11.
- I at the Residents' Service Team No. 4 located at 2 Wilanowska Street, at post 8.
All information related to business registration can also be obtained from the Gdansk Contact Centre on telephone number: 58 524 45 00.
Is it worth doing business in Gdansk?
Gdańsk is one of the few Polish cities that is extremely attractive for business. This does not mean, however, that there are no industries which the city is already saturated with. Therefore, when considering launching one's own business, it is worth analysing the Gdańsk market and competition, or aiming at the safe e-commerce sector which offers great development opportunities. Especially as the city is perfectly developed in terms of transport and logistics.
Good communication with the rest of the country
The road infrastructure obviously plays a decisive role in the success of an e-shop operated in Gdansk. Because, thanks to the extension of the A 1 motorway, Gdańsk is located on a transport route which links Scandinavia, north-eastern Europe with southern Europe and the Mediterranean, and the northern part of western Europe with eastern Europe. In domestic connections, on the other hand, it provides a direct link between Gdansk and the cities of central and southern Poland. Road transport has also benefited from the connection to the A 2 motorway, enabling smooth road contact with Silesia.
Not without significance is also the very well synchronised transport of rail links allowing for efficient communication of the port with the areas of Poland, Germany, the Czech Republic, Slovakia, Ukraine and Belarus.
A huge role in the development of business in Gdansk is also played by the Lech Wałęsa Gdańsk Airport, which serves the city's direct connections to 40 airports in Poland and Europe.
The port as a window on the world
The key element of Gdansk is of course the Port of Gdansk. Its influence on the development of Gdansk's business is mainly evidenced by the value of the goods handled, which oscillates around PLN 240 billion and subsidises the Polish budget with an average of PLN 20 billion in taxes. Furthermore, the Port of Gdansk is currently ranked third in the country in terms of the volume of container handling containing so-called general cargo.
In summary, the excellently developed and multi-channel transport in Gdansk makes the city an ideal place to run an e-shop. Mainly because of the efficient dispatch of goods to customers who care about receiving purchased products quickly. Simple and relatively inexpensive supply of imported goods, availability of storage space, located within a short distance from the place of delivery.
