Country Guide: Bulgaria

Household Goods and Personal Effects

Documents Required

• Copy of Passport
• Copy of local ID / Residence Permit
• Declaration of value / Pro-forma Invoice
• Packing list
• List of electronic items (must include serial numbers and model)
• Letter of Employment (must be for a minimum of 12 months)
• Copy of Residential Rental Contract (must be for a minimum of 12 months)
• Original Bill of Lading (OBL) / Air Waybill (AWB)
• Copy of Diplomatic Passport (Diplomats)
• Diplomatic ID (Diplomats) Letter of Assignment (Diplomats only – issued by the Embassy stating the position and duties of shipper)
• Declaration for Temporary Import (Diplomats)

 

Specific Information

• The Declaration for Temporary Import must be prepared by the Embassy and approved by the Bulgarian Ministry of Foreign Affairs.
• Baggage clearance occurs at the first airport of entry in Bulgaria.
• Non-prohibited items may be imported on a temporary basis for a period 6 months or less; Customs duties will not be charged with a Letter of Guarantee from a Bulgarian organization stating that the goods will be returned or duties will be paid.

 

Note: The movement of household goods imported by natural persons transferring their normal place of residence from a third country to the EU are admitted free of import duties and value added tax by the criterion set out in Articles 3 to 11 of Council Regulation (EC) No 1186/2009.

 

Motor Vehicles

Documents Required

• Original vehicle Registration
• Purchase Invoice
• Technical data (model, make, year of production, first year of registration, kilowatts of the engine, color, etc.)

 

Specific Information

• The kilowatts of the engine must be indicated as per the European system DIN or American system SAE.

Pets

Documents Required

• Vaccination Record
• Veterinary Health Record

 

Specific Information

• Veterinary Health Record must be issued by an authorized vet, identifying the origin and health status of the pet and made within 24 hours of its export.
• Pets under 3 months old must have lived indoors since birth.
• Animals are examined by personnel upon arrival.

Restricted/Dutiable Items

• Guns and ammunition (permission must be obtained)
• Personal home computers as well as new electrical items are subject to Customs duties and taxes and purchases are required
• Precious metal, precious stones must be declared in writing.
• Medications for personal use can be imported but may not be expired.
• Tobacco may qualify for free import within the limits indicated:
  • Cigarettes (200)
  • Cigarillos (100)
  • Cigars (50)
  • Tobacco for smoking (250 grams)
• Alcohol may qualify for free import within the limits indicated:
  • Wine (2 L)
  • Sparkling or fortified wine (2 L)
  • Spirits over 22% volume alcohol content (1 L)
• Coffee (500 g), coffee extract (200 g )
• Tea (100 g), tea extract (40 g)
• Perfume (50 g), eau de toilette (250 ml)
• Currency (cash sums greater than 8000 levs require the completion of a Customs Declaration prior to import)

Prohibited Items

• Illegal drugs
• Pornographic materials
• Dangerous chemicals
• Knives and deadly weapons

Consignment Instructions

Recommended: Contact the destination agent to ensure all requirements have been met prior to import, especially for differences regarding air / sea shipments.

 

 

 

Helpful Website(s):

http://www.state.gov/p/eur/ci/bu

http://eur-lex.europa.eu/legal-content/EN/ALL/?uri=CELEX:32009R1186

http://74.81.82.58/~bulgaria

http://www.customs.bg/en/page/14