Moving to Bulgaria

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.

Motor Vehicles

Documents Required

  • Original vehicle title / 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.
  • Vehicle included in the HHG container may cause delays of shipment as vehicles are only cleared at specific Customs offices. 

Pets

Documents Required

  • Pet passport
  • Vaccination record
  • Veterinary health record / certificate
  • Identification chip

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.
  • Rabies vaccination must not exceed 6 months prior.
  • 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.

Cultural and Other Information