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Customs procedures when importing into Bulgaria

A business bringing goods into Bulgaria from outside the EU lodges a customs declaration to place them under a customs procedure. The pages of Bulgaria's Customs Agency (Агенция „Митници“) explain which declaration types exist and that certain simplifications need an authorisation; this article summarises that framework and gives no tariff or rate figures.

Companies and taxes · Last reviewed: 2026-10-08

This is not legal or financial advice

This page explains the process in general terms and points to the official sources of the competent authorities. For decisions specific to your own situation, consult a lawyer, an accountant or the relevant institution. Rules and amounts change over time.

What the process rests on

According to the Customs Agency page, placing goods under a customs procedure rests on the Union Customs Code (Regulation (EU) 952/2013) and the rules supplementing it; lodging, accepting, verifying, amending and invalidating a declaration and releasing the goods are each set out there. For goods entering the EU customs territory, the page lists stages such as the entry summary declaration, arrival of the goods, presentation/unloading and temporary storage.

Types of declaration

Declaration forms listed on the Customs Agency page
Declaration typePage summary
Standard declarationContains all data needed for the procedure and is accompanied by all required documents
Simplified declarationMay omit some data or documents of a standard declaration; regular use needs an authorisation, occasional use does not
Entry in the declarant's records (EIDR)Declaration by entry in records when the data are available to customs
Supplementary declarationFollows a simplified declaration or an entry in the records
Oral declaration and declaration by other actListed as separate items on the page, with the relevant regulatory provisions

The page also describes facilitations such as centralised clearance and self-assessment, which are available only to operators that hold a customs simplification authorisation and are otherwise authorised. Under self-assessment the summary period may not exceed one calendar month and the calculated amount is notified to the supervising customs office within 10 days of the period's end. Declarations are made by electronic data-processing means.

The EUR 3 import duty (since 1 July 2026)

The Customs Agency announces that from 1 July 2026 an import duty of EUR 3 applies to each item line in the customs declaration for distance-sale consignments from third countries with a total value of up to EUR 150; the person lodging the declaration pays it. Consignments above EUR 150 continue to be treated item by item under the tariff.

Where to find rates

The duty rate for a given product depends on its customs tariff classification. We give no rates here; the Customs Agency's citizen site has a separate section for duty and customs-code look-up. For a solution, speak to a customs broker or the relevant Customs Directorate.

This page is not legal or tax advice

The information was read from the Customs Agency's pages on 8 October 2026. The page describing declaration types is an older structure carrying notes from the 2016 entry into application and transition, so we took no numerical conditions from it. For import authorisations, an EORI number or tariff classification, ask the Customs Agency or a customs broker.

Frequently asked questions

What do I file to import goods from outside the EU?

A customs declaration. It can be standard, simplified or by entry in the records; which one you can use depends on whether you hold an authorisation.

Do I need an authorisation for a simplified declaration?

Per the Customs Agency page, regular use needs one; occasional use does not, and customs assesses it case by case.

Is there a duty on a EUR 150 consignment?

For distance-sale consignments with a total value up to EUR 150, a EUR 3 import duty per item line has applied since 1 July 2026.

Sources

The information on this page is based on the official sources listed below. Legislation changes — open the links and verify the current position.

  1. Агенция „Митници“ — Поставяне на стоките под митнически режим (форми на деклариране) — https://customs.bg/wps/portal/agency/home/info-business/customs-activities/customs-procedures/customs-goods-procedures · 2026-10-08
  2. Агенция „Митници“ — Въвеждане на стоки на митническата територия на ЕС — https://customs.bg/wps/portal/agency/home/info-business/customs-activities/customs-procedures/import-goods · 2026-10-08
  3. Агенция „Митници“ — Промени при онлайн пратките от 1 юли 2026 г. — https://customs.bg/wps/portal/agency/home/info-citizens/receiving-stock/receiving-shipment-changes-01072026 · 2026-10-08

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