Moving household goods to Bulgaria and customs

Everyday life · Last reviewed: 2026-10-08

Which rule applies

According to the Customs Agency's page, the rules are in Articles 3 to 11 of Council Regulation (EC) No 1186/2009 (the Community system of customs reliefs). The exemption is for the personal property of individuals who transfer their normal place of residence from a country outside the EU to Bulgaria (the EU customs territory).

Four conditions for the exemption

1. 1

   Previous residence

   At least 12 consecutive months of normal residence in a non-EU country. Evidence can be your passport, a document from that country's police or municipal authorities showing the period of stay and confirming that you left it for good, or an employment contract.
2. 2

   Move to Bulgaria

   Evidence that you are moving your normal residence to Bulgaria: a long-term residence certificate from the Migration unit, a work visa or employment contract, a court registration of a company in the Commercial Register, a real-estate purchase contract in Bulgaria or a signed declaration, for example.
3. 3

   Nature of the goods

   The goods must be in your possession and have been used at your previous residence. Motor vehicles must have been actually used for at least six months before you left.
4. 4

   Purpose

   The goods must be intended for the same purposes at the new residence; their type or quantity must not raise doubt of a commercial purpose.

What is and is not exempt

• •Any used items that make up normal furnishings for your family situation and activity in the non-EU country can be exempt (for example personal effects, bed linen, furniture and household equipment).
• •No exemption is given for alcohol, tobacco or tobacco products, commercial vehicles, or items for a trade or profession other than hand-carried tools.
• •A reasonable household stock of provisions, pets, saddle animals and portable tools of your trade count as personal property.

Time limit, documents and declaration

• •The exemption is for goods declared for free circulation within 12 months of establishing normal residence in Bulgaria; they can arrive in several consignments.
• •A declaration can also be made before you establish residence, but you must undertake to actually establish it within six months and provide security, the form and amount of which the authorities determine.
• •All documents accompanying the goods must be in the name of the person moving.
• •The exemption is approved by the director of the Customs Directorate for your area of residence or an official authorised by them; a standard customs declaration is lodged electronically.
• •Goods granted the exemption are also exempt from VAT.

The 12-month ban on selling and renting

For 12 months from release for free circulation, personal property brought in duty-free may not be lent, pledged, rented or transferred for a fee or free of charge without notifying the competent authorities in advance. If it happens within that period, import duties and statutory interest become payable, and administrative liability under the Customs Act also arises. The Customs Agency reports that its checks in 2022-2024 found non-compliance in 9.5% of cases.

Frequently asked questions

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