diff --git a/packages/hal/src/validators/ebds/index.ts b/packages/hal/src/validators/ebds/index.ts
index 9ae78b7..cedbedf 100644
--- a/packages/hal/src/validators/ebds/index.ts
+++ b/packages/hal/src/validators/ebds/index.ts
@@ -17,7 +17,13 @@ import { EbdsFsm } from './ebds-fsm.js'
 import { denominations as denominationsTable } from './denominations.js'
 import type { BillValidator, ValidatorConfig, BillData } from '../../types.js'
 
-const POLLING_INTERVAL = 10_000
+// EBDS is host-polled: the validator only speaks when polled, and its
+// internal escrow grace expires after ~5s. Polling slower than that means
+// the host learns about an escrowed bill after the validator has already
+// auto-returned it, which on MEI hardware (BATM3) tears bills at the
+// transport rollers. Match id003's 100ms cadence so we see escrow inside
+// the validator's grace window.
+const POLLING_INTERVAL = 100
 
 /**
  * BigNumber-like interface for bill comparisons