A Call from the Past: The Start of an Extraordinary Mission
This story began with a phone call to our Polish office from a former customer, who had worked with us more than 20 years ago when it has been known as Rusak Business Services. Faced with the daunting challenges encountered by world-renowned Polish glider pilot Sebastian Kawa and his team, he immediately thought of us. “Customs Support is the go-to agency for extraordinary tasks,” he recalled. He knew that if anyone could handle this mission, it was us.
The Glider’s Journey: From K2 to the Türkiye-Iran Border
Sebastian Kawa, the most decorated glider pilot in history, was on a mission that no one has dared to undertake before — the first ever flight over K2, also known as Mount Godwin-Austen, the world’s second-highest peak (8,611 m). His glider, a Schleicher ASH 25 equipped with advanced oxygen systems, radio technology, and a small emergency engine (HS code 8802 20 00 10 - motor glider), had successfully carried him and his co-pilot, Sebastian Lampart, over the Himalayas. However, their adventure hit a major snag when the glider became ensnared in a web of bureaucratic red tape at the Türkiye-Iran border.
Swift Action: Responding to an Urgent Call
On August 12, 2024, at 16:46, Kawa reached out to us, detailing the urgent situation. Our team immediately mobilized, responding early the next morning at 7:25. We coordinated with our extensive network of partners across Europe and Türkiye to initiate the T1 transit process.
“Thanks to Customs Support Poland’s contacts in Lithuania and partners in Türkiye… we finally managed to break the deadlock at the border where customs agents were playing the waiting game with us,” Kawa later recounted.
Navigating Complex Borders: Overcoming the Challenges
The glider’s journey was fraught with challenges. On August 13, after a series of thorough inspections, scans, and tense negotiations at the Türkish border, we successfully opened the T1 at 18:30.
But the hurdles didn’t end there. The next two days were filled with nerve-wracking delays at the Türkiye-Bulgaria border, where customs officials mistakenly identified the glider as a Türkish-made combat drone, specifically the Bayraktar TB2, which bore a striking resemblance to the sleek aircraft.
A Safe Landing: Final Clearance and Gratitude
Despite the mounting tension and continuous communication via WhatsApp and phone calls, we persevered. By August 16, the glider had successfully crossed into Bulgaria and was on its way to its final destination in Poland.
The relief was evident as Kawa shared on his Facebook:
The troubles are over. Thanks to the tremendous help from Customs Support Poland, the glider has been cleared and can now fly in Poland. We are incredibly grateful because, without your assistance, we would probably still be stuck at the Iran-Türkiye border, waiting for clearances and agents who never show up.
Finally, on August 23, 2024, after what seemed like an endless journey, we completed the import clearance for the glider at the customs office in Czechowice-Dziedzice, Poland. The T1 was closed, and the glider was free to soar once more. This success would not have been possible without the support and cooperation of the Polish customs authorities, who understood the unique nature of this clearance.
Reflecting on Success: A Testament to Our Expertise
Reflecting on the experience, Kawa recommended our services to anyone embarking on a journey with “the most unusual equipment” to the “ends of the earth.”
If anyone is planning a trip to the end of the world with the most unusual equipment, this is the right place for professional clearance.
Sebastian's words resonate with our core philosophy: Challenge us on what we don’t know how to clear!
At Customs Support, we take pride in our flexibility, bespoke solutions, and ad hoc approach to even the most complex customs challenges. Whether it’s clearing a glider from the depths of Iran or navigating the intricate web of global trade, we are here to support your business.
We empower global trade…and passions.
To learn more about Sebastian Kawa’s incredible achievements, visit his Facebook page.
The images featured in this article are from Sebastian Kawa's photography archive, accessible via Facebook.