🇧🇬 Import Customs & Duties: Bulgaria
Quick Facts
Duty-free threshold
$0
Duty applies from $0
VAT / Sales Tax
20%
CIF value + duty. Reduced rate of 9% for hotel accommodation, restaurant services, books, and baby food.
Clearance Time
1-5 days
typical processing
Duty Rates by Category
| Category | Duty Rate | HS Chapter |
|---|---|---|
| Electronics | 0-3.7% | HS 85 |
| Clothing | 12% | HS 61-62 |
| Footwear | 8-17% | HS 64 |
| Food products | 0-36% | HS 01-24 |
| Machinery | 0-4% | HS 84 |
| Cosmetics | 2.5-6.5% | HS 33 |
| Books | 0% | HS 49 |
| Toys | 0-4.7% | HS 95 |
Rates shown are for standard goods. Exact rate depends on the HS code of your item.
Import Duty Calculator
Customs Clearance Process
Bulgarian Customs Agency (Agentsiya Mitnitsi) follows EU Union Customs Code. BICIS electronic declaration system. Goods enter via Varna/Burgas ports or Sofia airport. Since July 2021, IOSS for VAT on low-value imports. Bulgarian Posts (Balgarski poshti) handles postal customs.
What to Actually Expect
EU customs but can be slower than Western Europe. Occasional bureaucratic delays, especially for postal parcels (3-7 days not uncommon). Express couriers are faster and more reliable. Border crossings with Turkey and Serbia can experience congestion. Improving steadily with EU modernization.
Required Documents
Commercial Invoice
Item description, quantity, value, sender and receiver details
Packing List
Detailed description of contents in each package
Customs Declaration (CN22/CN23)
Required for postal shipments
Air Waybill (AWB)
Generated by the carrier when booking the shipment
Certificate of Origin
May be required for reduced duties (FTA/preferential rates)
Export/Import License
For restricted goods (electronics, medicines, chemicals)
Import License Requirements
EU-standard licensing. Required for agricultural quotas, dual-use goods, weapons, certain chemicals. Bulgarian phytosanitary inspections for food imports from non-EU countries.
Certificate of Origin
Issued by Bulgarian Chamber of Commerce and Industry (BCCI). EUR.1 for EU FTA partners. REX system for registered exporters.
Learn more →Prohibited & Restricted Items
Prohibited
- xNarcotics and illegal drugs
- xExplosives and flammable materials
- xWeapons and ammunition
- xCounterfeit goods
- xCounterfeit currency and documents
Restricted (permit required)
- !Medicines and pharmaceuticals
- !Food and beverages
- !Plants and seeds
- !Electronics (lithium batteries)
- !Perfumes and cosmetics (volume limits)
Useful Links
Duty & Tax Estimate
Estimated import charges when shipping goods to Bulgaria:
| Goods Value | Duty | VAT/Tax | Total Charges |
|---|---|---|---|
| $50 | $2 | $10 | $13 |
| $100 | $4 | $21 | $25 |
| $200 | $8 | $42 | $50 |
| $500 | $21 | $104 | $125 |
| $1000 | $42 | $208 | $250 |
Estimates only. Actual duties depend on product category and HS code.
Popular routes to Bulgaria
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the duty-free threshold for Bulgaria?
Bulgaria has no duty-free threshold. All imported goods are subject to duties regardless of their value.
What is the VAT rate on imports to Bulgaria?
The VAT/tax rate on imports to Bulgaria is 20%. VAT applies to: CIF value + duty. Reduced rate of 9% for hotel accommodation, restaurant services, books, and baby food.
How long does customs clearance take in Bulgaria?
Typical customs clearance in Bulgaria takes 1-5 days. Express shipments usually clear faster.
What documents are needed to import into Bulgaria?
To import into Bulgaria, you typically need: commercial invoice, packing list, bill of lading/airway bill, and customs declaration. Some goods may require a certificate of origin or import license.
What items are prohibited from import into Bulgaria?
Bulgaria prohibits the import of narcotics, weapons, counterfeit goods, certain animal products, and hazardous materials. Restrictions may also apply to alcohol, tobacco, pharmaceuticals, and certain electronics.