Réglementation douanière et documents obligatoires

Règlementation concernant l’importation des effets personnels

Bulgarie

Customs regulations

Local laws and customs

The Bulgarian authorities treat all drug-related and sex offences very seriously. Custodial sentences can be expected for any foreigners convicted of such offences. Offences relating to drunken, disorderly behaviour and hooliganism may also be treated more seriously than in the UK.

Homosexuality is not illegal, but public attitudes are less tolerant than in the UK and the LGBT community generally keeps a low profile. There are a few gay bars and clubs in Sofia; the city has also held the annual Sofia Pride since 2008. Sofia Pride and accompanying LGBT events are growing in popularity and were attended by over 6,000 people in 2019. However, it also attracts some negative attention locally and is held with a heightened police presence and security measures. Should you wish to join the parade, please read carefully the safety rules issued by the organisers. You can find local information on LGBT issues in Bulgaria on the website of the Bulgarian Helsinki Committee. See our information and advice page for the LGBT community before you travel.

Avoid taking photographs near potentially sensitive areas like military establishments. If in doubt, ask permission.

Covering your face with garments (such as a burka or similar head covering) in public places, including governmental buildings, streets, parks, gardens, restaurants, shops and on public transport is illegal in Bulgaria. There is a fine for covering your face in public places.

There have been numerous reports of buyers being defrauded while purchasing property. Be cautious and seek comprehensive legal advice before making any purchase. Only deal with established and reputable real estate agents or with other contacts that you know to be reliable and genuine. See the Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office guide to buying property in Bulgaria.

Taking food and drink into the EU

You cannot take meat, milk or products containing them into EU countries. There are some exceptions for medical reasons, for example certain amounts of powdered infant milk, infant food, or pet food required for medical reasons.

Customs valuation is based on the dutiable, transaction value based on:

purchase price + transportation costs + loading/unloading + insurance charges + commissions + royalties + license fees + a 20 percent Value Added Tax (VAT) levied at the time of customs clearance. Some commodities are subject to excise duties.

Importation processes include:

A customs declaration document
A post-clearance examination of relevant documents or data
Submission of an invoice or pro forma invoice, a certificate of origin or a certificate of the movement of the goods in order to take advantage of preferential customs treatment, transport documents, an insurance policy, a specification, an Economic Operators Registration and Identification number (EORI) and a packing list
A veterinary or physio-sanitary certificate for goods of animal or plant origin
Other documents or laboratory analyses
An EC Safety & Security regulation and the Advance Cargo Declaration are mandatory for all goods leaving, arriving or moving through the EC
Permits and Licenses
A Bulgarian decree is required for non-automatic license of nuclear materials, explosives, arms, dual-use commodities, plant protection products, and pharmaceuticals for human medicine
Bulgarian Customs exercises control over the export, import, re-export and transit of arms and dual-use goods and technologies. Bulgarian regulations follow the EU list of dual-use goods, which includes goods and technologies in the nuclear weapon, chemical and biological warfare and missile areas. See Bulgaria’s export control information Export control

Special Import/Export Requirements and Certifications

REACH (Registration, Evaluation and Authorization and Restriction of Chemicals) – a major reform of the EU chemicals policy – became law in all EU countries in 2006. REACH affects virtually every industrial sector, from automobiles to textiles and requires chemicals produced or imported into the EU in volumes above 1 ton per year be registered with a central European Chemicals Agency (ECHA). See : Candidate list table.

WEEE & RoHS: EU rules on Waste Electrical and Electronic Equipment (WEEE) entails a financial obligation for U.S. exporters and requires U.S. exporters (or their local partner) to register products with a national WEEE authority. WEEE restricts the Use of Hazardous Substances (RoHS) including lead, cadmium, mercury, hexavalent chromium, PBBs, and PBDEs. U.S. exporters may be asked to enforce RoHS and provide evidence of due diligence and compliance with substance bans on a case-by-case basis. See: WEEE

Products for human consumption should be analyzed in approved local laboratories in cooperation with local authorities. The State Agency for Standards and Metrology strictly enforces Bulgarian quality standards, which do not always coincide with generally accepted international standards. Foreign certificates may or may not be considered adequate. After an approval is issued, the commodities may be sold on the local market. See: Government

Used 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)
Copy of plane tickets showing return to Bulgaria
Original bill of lading (OBL) / air waybill (AWB)
Copy of diplomatic passport (diplomats)
Power of attorney (returning citizens)
Diplomatic ID (diplomats)
Letter of assignment (diplomats only – issued by the embassy stating the position and duties of owner of the goods)
Declaration for temporary import (diplomats)
Original T2L (issued by Customs at country of origin)

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.

Articles taxables

Depuis son adhésion à l’UE en 2007, la Bulgarie est membre de l’union douanière de l’UE. La plupart des dispositions douanières bulgares ont été remplacées par des règlements de l’UE. Les produits de l’UE entrent en Bulgarie sans droits de douane, c’est pourquoi les produits américains ne sont souvent pas compétitifs. Les taux de droits de douane pour les importations en provenance de pays extérieurs à l’UE varient entre 4 % et 45 %.

Armes et munitions (une autorisation doit être obtenue)
Les ordinateurs personnels ainsi que les articles électriques neufs sont soumis à des droits de douane et à des taxes et doivent être achetés.
Les métaux précieux, les pierres précieuses doivent être déclarés par écrit.
Les médicaments à usage personnel peuvent être importés mais ne doivent pas être périmés.
Le tabac peut bénéficier d’une importation gratuite dans les limites indiquées :
- Cigarettes (200)
- Cigarillos (100)
- Cigares (50)
- Tabac à fumer (250 grammes)
L’alcool peut bénéficier d’une importation gratuite dans les limites indiquées :
- Vin (2 L)
- Vin pétillant ou fortifié (2 L)
- Spiritueux de plus de 22% de volume d’alcool (1 L)
Café (500 g), extrait de café (200 g)
Thé (100 g), extrait de thé (40 g)
Parfum (50 g), eau de toilette (250 ml)
Monnaie (les sommes en espèces supérieures à 8000 levs doivent faire l’objet d’une déclaration douanière avant l’importation)
Les ordinateurs personnels ne sont pas acceptés comme des effets personnels et seront soumis à des droits de douane et à des taxes d’importation.
– Les articles électriques et les meubles neufs sont soumis à des droits et taxes.
Factures requises
– Les alcools et autres spiritueux sont soumis à des droits de douane.
– Jusqu’à 60g en bijoux et accessoires en alliages d’or et de platine total sans
– Argent brut ou semi-traité et pièces de monnaie, ainsi que les bijoux et accessoires en alliage d’argent jusqu’à 300 g au total sans tenir compte de la teneur en argent ;
– On doit déclarer par écrit les métaux précieux, les pierres précieuses et les objets avec et à partir de ceux-ci qui dépassent les montants susmentionnés, ainsi que les objets en métaux précieux et pierres précieuses portés sous forme de poudre ou sous une autre forme qui n’ont pas été mentionnés ci-dessus.

Importation gratuite pour les passagers arrivant avec des biens achetés dans l’UE et destinés à un usage personnel uniquement :

Produits du tabac pour les passagers âgés de 17 ans et plus :

800 cigarettes ;
400 cigarillos (max. 3g chacun) ;
200 cigares ;
1kilogramme de tabac à fumer ;

Boissons alcoolisées, pour les passagers âgés de 17 ans et plus :

10 litres de spiritueux à plus de 22% et d’alcool éthylique ;
20 litres de boissons alcoolisées à moins de 22% ;
90 litres de vin (mais pas plus de 60 litres de vin mousseux) ;
110 litres de bière ;

Importation gratuite pour les passagers en provenance d’États non membres de l’UE (y compris les îles Canaries, les îles Anglo-Normandes et autres territoires similaires) :

Produits du tabac, pour les passagers âgés de 17 ans et plus :

200 cigarettes ; ou
100 cigarillos (3 grammes maximum chacun) ; ou
50 cigares ; ou
250 grammes de tabac à fumer ; ou
assortiment proportionnel ;

Boissons alcoolisées, pour les passagers âgés de 17 ans et plus :

1 litre de spiritueux de plus de 22% de volume, ou d’alcool éthylique non dénaturé de plus de 80% de volume ; ou
2 litres de spiritueux ou d’apéritifs à base de vin ou de boissons similaires d’un volume inférieur à 22%, ou de vins mousseux ou de vins de liqueur ; ou
un mélange proportionnel de ces produits ; et en outre
4 litres de vin tranquille ; et
16 litres de bière ;

Autres marchandises jusqu’à une valeur totale de 430,- euros.

Les produits d’origine animale qui ne proviennent pas d’un État membre de l’UE, d’Andorre, du Liechtenstein, de la Norvège, de Saint-Marin ou de la Suisse ne sont pas autorisés à être importés dans un État membre de l’UE, à l’exception de quantités limitées en provenance d’Andorre, des îles Féroé, du Groenland et de l’Islande et de petites quantités de produits spécifiques en provenance d’autres pays.

Articles interdits

Drogues illégales
Armes et munitions – sauf si une autorisation a été obtenue
Couteaux et armes mortelles
Produits chimiques dangereux
Substances qui endommagent la couche d’ozone
Animaux en quarantaine
Matériel pornographique

Divers (Animaux domestiques, moteurs, et autres.)

Animaux domestiques

Documents requis

Passeport pour animaux
Carnet de vaccination
Dossier de santé vétérinaire / certificat
Puce d’identification

Informations spécifiques

Le carnet de santé vétérinaire doit être délivré par un vétérinaire agréé, identifiant l’origine et l’état de santé de l’animal et établi dans les 24 heures suivant son exportation.
Les animaux de moins de 3 mois doivent avoir vécu à l’intérieur depuis leur naissance.
La vaccination contre la rage ne doit pas dépasser les 6 mois précédents.
Les animaux sont examinés par le personnel à leur arrivée.

Véhicules à moteur

Documents requis

Titre original du véhicule / immatriculation
Facture d’achat
Données techniques (modèle, marque, année de production, première année d’immatriculation, kilowatts du moteur, couleur, etc.)

Informations spécifiques

Les kilowatts du moteur doivent être indiqués selon le système européen DIN ou le système américain SAE.
Un véhicule inclus dans le conteneur HHG peut entraîner des retards dans l’expédition, car les véhicules ne sont dédouanés que dans des bureaux de douane spécifiques.

Monnaie

Réglementation des importations de devises :

Les mêmes règles que pour l’exportation s’appliquent.

Monnaie Règlements d’exportation :

Monnaie locale (Lev bulgare – BGN) et devises étrangères :

Aucune restriction si vous arrivez d’un autre État membre de l’UE ou si vous vous y rendez.
Si vous arrivez directement d’un pays situé en dehors de l’UE ou si vous vous rendez dans un tel pays, vous devez déclarer les montants supérieurs à 10 000 euros ou plus, ou leur équivalent dans une autre devise (y compris les traites bancaires et les chèques de toute nature).

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Informations pour les voyageurs

No airport tax is levied on passengers upon embarkation at the airport.

Crime

Crime levels are low and violent crime is rare. However, you should take care of yourself and your belongings in the same way as you would do in the UK. Take sensible precautions to protect yourself from street crime, particularly in larger cities. Watch out for pickpockets and bag thefts in tourist areas and major public transport hubs, including airports. Be vigilant at all times, particularly late at night. If you wish to report a crime, call the local police on 112 and make sure you get a crime report.

Tourists are targeted by thieves and pickpockets in Sunny Beach and other larger cities and resorts. Don’t take valuables to the beach and be wary of poorly lit roads around the resort at night. There has been an increase in thefts on the bus from Nessebar to Sunny Beach. Burglaries have been reported from hotel rooms in Sunny Beach. Make sure you lock your room (including windows and balcony doors) and keep your valuables locked in a safe. Don’t change money on the streets in Sunny Beach, only at licensed exchange points, banks or hotels.

Some tourists have been victims of overcharging in strip clubs in Sofia and in some resorts like Bansko, Borovets and Sunny Beach. Overcharging can amount to hundreds of pounds and victims have been threatened with violence if they don’t pay.

Stun guns, torch stun guns and other weapons like knives, pepper spray and CS gas can be bought in shops in and around Burgas and Sunny Beach. Many of these weapons are illegal in the UK and importing them could result in a prison sentence.

There have been reports of car tyres being deliberately punctured across Bulgaria. While investigating the puncture, someone distracts the driver and personal belongings and documents are stolen from the vehicle. Be vigilant if you have to stop in these circumstances and make sure your belongings are secure.

Break-ins have occurred in properties in the residential areas of cities and rural areas. Seek local advice on security for your home.

For all types of emergency (fire, ambulance, police) you can dial 112.

Local travel

Taxis are plentiful and cheap by UK standards, although vehicles may not be in very good condition. Most taxis are metered and yellow taxis are generally considered reliable. Avoid taxis parked outside hotels or in tourist areas. Ask your hotel to call a taxi or flag down a passing taxi with a green ‘available’ light in the window. Check the licence sticker and the tariffs on the window before getting in as they can vary considerably.

There are regular reports of robberies and threatening behaviour by taxi drivers in Sunny Beach. Use a taxi recommended by your tour operator or accommodation provider.

There has also been an increase in the number of unlicensed taxis from Sofia airport overcharging passengers. If you’re travelling from the airport, make sure you take an official, licensed taxi. There is an official taxi rank in the arrivals hall.

Road travel

In 2019, there were 628 road deaths in Bulgaria (source: Department for Transport). This equates to 9 road deaths per 100,000 of population and compares to the UK average of 2.6 road deaths per 100,000 of population in 2019.

Licences and documents

If you enter Bulgaria in a private vehicle, you must have your driving licence, all original registration and ownership documents as well as evidence of insurance valid in Bulgaria. If you have hired a car, you must have the original contract document, which should state that the vehicle can be brought into Bulgaria. Border officials will impound your vehicle if they are not satisfied that you own it or have permission to use it in Bulgaria.

Under Bulgarian law, vehicles that are registered outside the EU are considered to be ‘temporarily imported’ when driven inside Bulgaria. If they are stolen on Bulgarian soil, the owners will be liable for import duty and related taxes. Cars registered in the UK, Channel Islands and the Isles of Man are subject to this legislation.

If you’re living in Bulgaria, check the Living in Guide for information on requirements for residents.

Driving standards

Take care when driving, particularly at night. Many roads are in poor condition and road works are often unlit or unmarked. Driving standards are generally poor. Avoid confrontations with aggressive drivers. Stick to the speed limit and make sure your vehicle is roadworthy. On the spot fines are charged for minor violations. For more information about speed limits and spot fines, check the RAC website.

Driving regulations

You’ll need to buy a vignette (sticker) to drive on motorways and main roads outside towns. You can buy one at the border, or from post offices, large petrol stations and DZI bank offices and online from BG Toll. Rates are much higher for freight vehicles and coaches carrying 8 or more passengers. You’ll be fined if you don’t have a vignette.

You must drive with running lights or dipped beam headlights throughout the year, even during the daytime. It’s compulsory to carry the following equipment in your vehicle: fire extinguisher (not required for 2-wheeled vehicles), a first-aid kit and a warning triangle (not required for 2-wheeled vehicles). A reflective jacket must be used by anyone who steps on to the road in a breakdown or emergency. Snow chains must be carried from 1 November until 1 March and used when the relevant sign is displayed. Winter tyres are compulsory for vehicles registered in Bulgaria during wintry road conditions.

See the European Commission, AA and RAC guides on driving in Bulgaria.

Rail and bus travel

If you travel by train, check the availability of sleeping compartments and whether bicycles can be taken on board. This may vary between regions, and there may be additional charges. Thieves operate on trains, so take particular care that documents and other valuables are safe. The train system is very poor by European standards. There have been several fires on Bulgarian trains.

Train services and inter-city coach services are operating normally.

Stray dogs

Stray dogs are common and dangerous. Avoid getting too close to stray dogs, especially if they are in a pack. Take any animal bites seriously and seek immediate medical advice as rabies and other animal borne diseases are present in Bulgaria.

Entry to Bulgaria

From 29 January 2021, the temporary travel ban on all passengers arriving from the UK, travelling for non-essential purposes, will be lifted. This means that passengers arriving from the UK can now enter Bulgaria without needing to show evidence of residency.

All arrivals to Bulgaria must show evidence of a negative COVID-19 PCR test result upon arrival in Bulgaria (undertaken up to 72 hours before arrival) although some travellers (Bulgarian residents, including foreign citizens with residency permits, and their immediate family members) can opt for a quarantine of 10 days on arrival in lieu of a PCR test. Exemptions include bus and lorry drivers, aircraft or vessel crews, border workers and those transiting through Bulgaria.

Immediate family members are restricted to the following categories: wife, husband, or a person you live with in a relationship akin to marriage; and dependent children under the age of 18 years of age. You will be expected to show documentation to prove relationship status (eg birth or marriage certificate) if you are not in possession of a Bulgarian residence permit.

From 2 February 2021, the option of a 10 day quarantine on arrival, in lieu of a PCR test for people legally resident in Bulgaria, can be shortened if they present a negative PCR test performed within 24 hours of arriving in Bulgaria. The quarantine requirement will be revoked within 24 hours of submitting the document demonstrating the negative PCR test result.

A list of places offering PCR testing in Bulgaria is available from the Bulgarian government (in Bulgarian).

You should submit the document showing a negative result of the PCR test to the respective Regional Health Inspectorate.

For Sofia Health Inspectorate, submit your document to the following email address: director@srzi.bg. Due to an increased amount of inquiries, the health authorities may not have enough capacity to respond to each email individually so you should call them directly to find out if your quarantine has been lifted. Contact numbers are listed here.

The measures are in force at all air, road, rail and sea border crossings into Bulgaria.

Further information on the full range of exemptions is available on the following Bulgarian Government web site (in Bulgarian). If you fall into one of the exempted categories, you should contact your travel operator in advance of travel for further information on how to demonstrate your exemption from the travel ban.

Many land borders crossings in the region are restricted or closed for passenger traffic. Furthermore, neighbouring countries are implementing additional health requirements for entry to or departure from Bulgaria including declarations and COVID-19 tests. You should check the relevant FCDO Travel Advice.

If you need to travel, plan ahead and before you travel check border information published by the Ministry of Interior (English and Bulgarian) before you travel.

Quarantine requirements

From 29 January 2021, arrivals to Bulgaria are not required to quarantine if they have provided a negative PCR test result taken up to 72 hours before arrival. The negative result must specifically mention it was a PCR test to be accepted by Bulgarian authorities.

Check the list of UK private providers of Coronavirus testing and make arrangements for your test in good time. It may not be possible to secure a test at short notice. There is no exemption set out in the Bulgarian Ministry of Health Ordinance for children or infants.

Bulgarian citizens, residents, and their immediate family members may opt to undertake a mandatory 10-day quarantine period upon arrival to Bulgaria in lieu of providing evidence of a negative PCR test result. This quarantine will be overseen by the Regional Health Authority for the region where you reside. You will be required to provide an address where you will stay for the full 10-day period and should expect checks to be made to ensure that you are complying with the terms of the quarantine in full. Fines or a prison sentence can be imposed on those found to have broken the quarantine requirement.

A list of places offering PCR testing in Bulgaria is available here in Bulgarian.

You should submit the document showing a negative result of the PCR test to the respective Regional Health Inspectorate.

For Sofia Health Inspectorate, submit your document to the following email address: director@srzi.bg. Due to increased amount of inquiries, the health authorities may not have enough capacity to respond to each email individually so you should call them directly to find out if your quarantine has been lifted. Contact numbers are listed here.

A very small number of travellers are exempted from both the quarantine requirement, and the need to provide evidence of a negative PCR test. These include people transiting through Bulgaria and hauliers and transport crew members of vessels or aircraft who do not remain in Bulgaria following their work-related duties. Check the latest information on the Ministry of Interior website (English and Bulgarian).

Regular entry requirements

Visas

The rules for travelling or working in European countries changed from 1 January 2021:

you can travel to Bulgaria for up to 90 days in any 180-day period without a visa. This applies if you travel as a tourist, to visit for family or friends, to attend business meetings, cultural or sports events, or for short-term studies or training
visits to other EU or Schengen countries do not count towards your 90-day limit in Bulgaria as it is not in the Schengen area. Visits to Bulgaria do not count towards your 90-day visa-free limit in the Schengen area
to stay longer, to work or study, for business travel or for other reasons, you will need to meet the Bulgarian government’s entry requirements. Check with the Bulgarian Embassy what type of visa and/or work permit you may need
if you stay in Bulgaria with a visa or permit, your stay does not count towards your 90-day visa-free limit

Any time you spent in Bulgaria before 1 January 2021 does not count towards the 90-day visa-free limit.

At Bulgarian border control, you may need to use separate lanes from EU, EEA and Swiss citizens when queueing. Your passport may be stamped on entry and exit. You may also need to:

show a return or onward ticket
show you have enough money for your stay

Passport validity

Check your passport is valid for travel before you book your trip, and renew your passport if you do not have enough time left on it.

You must have at least 6 months left on an adult or child passport to travel to most countries in Europe (not including Ireland).

If you renewed your current passport before the previous one expired, extra months may have been added to its expiry date. Any extra months on your passport over 10 years may not count towards the 6 months needed.

There are separate requirements for those who are resident in Bulgaria. If you are resident in Bulgaria, you should carry proof of residence as well as your valid passport when you travel. For further information on these requirements, see our Living in Bulgaria guide.

UK Emergency Travel Documents

UK Emergency Travel Documents (ETDs) are accepted for entry, airside transit and exit from Bulgaria.