The Bulgarian Food Safety Agency is Bulgaria's designated competent body for the application of protective measures against organisms harmful for plants in accordance with national and international law on plant health control. The Directorate for Plant Protection and Plant Health Control of the Quality of Fresh Fruits and Vegetables of the Bulgarian Food Safety Agency (BABH) is responsible for providing methodological guidance on the application of plant health legislation in Bulgaria.

Control of the production, processing, storage and movement of plants, plant products and other objects within Bulgaria and the European Union is performed by the plant health inspectors from the 28 Provincial Food Safety Directorates (ODBH), which are local departments of the Bulgarian Food Safety Agency.

Plant passport

When moving in the territory of Bulgaria and the European Union, plants, plant products and other objects are accompanied by a plant passport.

The plant passport is an official label which gives evidence of the compliance of plants, plant products and other objects with the requirements for plant health and the established measures for the absence of quarantine and regulated non-quarantine pests and is used for the purpose of traceability. It is issued by the plant health inspectors from the relevant Provincial Food Safety Directorates after conducting documentary and plant health checks. Exceptions from the rules are allowed in certain cases, such as delivery to final users for non-professional use.

More detailed information about the statutory requirements for plant health protection, and more specifically in the context of movement in the territory of Bulgaria and the European Union, as well as the permissible derogations from the rules is set out in Regulation (EC) No 2016/2031 on protective measures against pests of plants and the implementing regulations thereto and is also available from the website of the Bulgarian Food Safety Agency

Import of plants from third countries

With a view to protecting European Union's territory from the introduction of quarantine pests, which can have a severe economic, environmental or social impact, the import of plants from third countries is regulated by international, European Union and national law through the introduction of protective measures against quarantine pests and regulated non-quarantine pests of plants.

In accordance with applicable EU law in the area of plant health control (including Regulations 2019/2072/EU, 2016/2031/EU and 2017/625/EU) at the time of import into the EU from outside the Union territory plants and plant products must be accompanied by a plant health certificate issued by the competent body of the country of dispatch.

The plant health certificate provides evidence that the plants and plant products have been subjected to a plant health inspection; that they conform to the applicable requirements laid down in EU law; and that they are free from quarantine pests.

The consignments of plants and plant products containing the following fruits are exempt from the requirement to be accompanied by a plant health certificate at the time of their introduction into the territory of the Union:

- Fruits of Ananas comosus (L.) Merill (Pineapples, fresh or dried: 0804 30 00);

- Fruits of Cocos nucifera L. (Coconut, fresh or dried, whether or not shelled or peeled: 0801 12 00 0801 19 00);

- Fruits of Durio zibethinus Murray (Durian: 0810 60 00);

- Fruits of Musa L. (Bananas, including plantains, fresh or dried: 0803 10 10; 0803 10 90; 0803 90 10; 0803 90 90);

- Fruits of Phoenix dactylifera (L.) (Dates, fresh or dried: 0804 10 00).

Small quantities of plants or plant products (except for plants intended for planting) for immediate consumption may be imported into Bulgaria without fulfilling the requirement for an accompanying plant health certificate.

Wood packaging material is often used in the movement of plants, plant products and other objects. The introduction of wood packaging material (crates, drums, cases, load boards, pallets, etc.) is subject to the following requirements:

- the wood packaging is made from debarked wood;

- it has undergone one of the following approved phytosanitary treatments — heat treatment or kiln drying (HT); heat processing through dielectric wood drying (DH); processing with methyl bromide (MB);

- it is officially marked with the International Standard for Phytosanitary Measures (ISPM) 15 stamp, consisting the International Plant Protection Convention (IPPC) logo and of 3 codes — country, producer and measure applied (as mentioned above).

More information about wood packaging material

Wood packaging material is treated, stamped and repaired by professional operators holding a dedicated permit.

A list of the professional operators to whom permits have been issued is available on the website of the Bulgarian Food Safety Agency

A list of the plants, plant products and other objects whose import into the Union from certain third countries is prohibited is set out in Annex VI to Regulation 2019/2072/EU

Import of food and feed of non-animal origin from third countries

The introduction into the territory of Bulgaria and the EU of food and feed of non-animal origin from third country is governed by Commission Implementing Regulation (EU) 2019/1793 of 22 October 2019 on the temporary increase of official controls and emergency measures governing the entry into the Union of certain goods from certain third countries implementing Regulations (EU) 2017/625 and (EC) No 178/2002 of the European Parliament and of the Council and repealing Commission Regulations (EC) No 669/2009, (EU) No 884/2014, (EU) 2015/175, (EU) 2017/186 and (EU) 2018/1660.

Import of food and feed of animal origin from third countries

The introduction of commercial consignments of products of animal origin from third countries is subject to strict compliance with applicable EU and national law. Applicable [EU] legislation includes:

- Commission Implementing Regulation (EU) 2019/2007 of 18 November 2019 laying down rules for the application of Regulation (EU) 2017/625 of the European Parliament and of the Council as regards the lists of animals, products of animal origin, germinal products, animal by-products and derived products and hay and straw subject to official controls at border control posts and amending Decision 2007/275/EC;

- for the import of fresh meat of ungulates - Commission Regulation (EU) No 206/2010 of 12 March 2010 laying down lists of third countries, territories or parts thereof authorised for the introduction into the European Union of certain animals and fresh meat and the veterinary certification requirements;

- for the import of milk and dairy products - Commission Regulation (EU) No 605/2010 of 2 July 2010 laying down animal and public health and veterinary certification conditions for the introduction into the European Union of raw milk and dairy products intended for human consumption;

- for meat of poultry, ratites and wild game-birds, eggs and egg products - Commission Regulation (EC) No 798/2008 of 8 August 2008 laying down a list of third countries, territories, zones or compartments from which poultry and poultry products may be imported into and transit through the Community and the veterinary certification requirements;

- for meat of wild Leporidae, of certain wild land mammals and of farmed rabbits - Commission Regulation (EC) No 119/2009 of 9 February 2009 laying down a list of third countries or parts thereof, for imports into, or transit through, the Community of meat of wild Leporidae, of certain wild land mammals and of farmed rabbits and the veterinary certification requirements;

- for certain meat products - Commission Decision 2007/777/EC of 29 November 2007 laying down the animal and public health conditions and model certificates for imports of certain meat products and treated stomachs, bladders and intestines for human consumption from third
countries and repealing Decision 2005/432/EC;

- for honey and other beekeeping products intended for human consumption - Commission Implementing Regulation (EU) 2019/628;

- for live bivalve molluscs, echinoderms, tunicates and marine gastropods and fish products - Commission Implementing Regulation (EU) 2019/628;

- Applicable national legislation includes the Veterinary Act, etc.

The controls of travellers’ personal luggage and of small consignments of goods sent to natural persons and not intended to be placed on the market is governed by Commission Delegated Regulation (EU) 2019/2122 of 10 October 2019 supplementing Regulation (EU) 2017/625 of the European Parliament and of the Council as regards certain categories of animals and goods exempted from official controls at border control posts, specific controls on passengers’ personal luggage and on small consignments of goods sent to natural persons which are not intended to be placed on the market and amending Commission Regulation (EU) No 142/2011.

The import requirements do not apply to:

1. raw materials and foods of animal origin for which the following conditions are cumulatively met:

- they form part of travellers’ personal luggage and are intended for their personal consumption;

- they originate from exempted countries or territories;

2. raw materials and foods of animal origin on board aircraft or vessels, intended for consumption by the crew and passengers and not introduced into the territory of the country;

3. trade samples and display items, which the Bulgarian Food Safety Agency has approved in advance;

4. raw materials and foods of animal origin intended for diplomatic missions, which the Bulgarian Food Safety Agency has approved in advance.

Depending on its aim, travel with pet animals may be classified in one of the following categories:

1. ‘Non-commercial movement of pet animals’ means any movement which does not have as its aim either the sale, transfer of ownership or the re-homing of a pet animal;

2. 'Commercial movement of pet animals' means any movement which has as its aim the re-homing and the transfer of ownership of a pet animal (adoption, sale);

Depending on the aim of the movement of pet animals, compliance must be ensured with the requirements laid down in Regulation (EU) 576/2013 and Regulation (EU) 577/2013.

Commercial movement of pet animals from EU Member States

The requirements listed below apply to travelling with pet animals from EU Member States for the purpose of sale, adoption and transfer of ownership.

The animals must come from registered holdings — dogs, cats and ferrets must come from holdings or businesses registered by the Bulgarian Food Safety Agency and must not be subject to any prohibition for animal health reasons (incl. rabies). Clinical examinations of the animals are carried out on a regular basis at the holdings to ensure the welfare of the animals kept (Directive (92/65/EEC).

Marking

Dogs, cats and ferrets must be marked by the implantation of a transponder/microchip.
In Bulgaria pet animals (dogs, cats and ferrets) are identified by a microchip in accordance with the requirements laid down in Annex II of Regulation No 576/2013 or by а tattoo applied before 3 July 2003. Marking by a readable tattoo applied before 3 July 2003 is allowed.

Vaccination against rabies–

Dogs, cats and ferrets must be vaccinated against rabies by a licensed veterinarian in accordance with Annex III to Regulation No 576/2013, as follows:

- the animal is 12 weeks old at the date of the anti-rabies vaccination;

- the date of administration of the vaccination does not precede the date of application or reading of the transponder;

- the period of validity of the vaccination starts not less than 21 days after the completion of the vaccination protocol for the primary vaccination and each subsequent vaccination is administered within the period of validity of the previous vaccination.

Requirements for vaccination against rabies, re-vaccination and blood tests

- before travel, your dog, cat or ferrets must be vaccinated against rabies. The animal must be at least 12 weeks old at the date of receiving the anti-rabies vaccination;

- at least 21 days have elapsed between the vaccination and the start of the journey and each subsequent vaccination has been administered within the period of validity of the previous vaccination;

- the date of vaccine administration does not precede the date of marking or reading the transponder/microchip or the two have at least occurred on the same day;

- an inactivated or recombinant vaccine approved for use in Bulgaria must be administered.

Upon entry into Bulgaria from a ‘non-exempt’ country or territory outside the European Union (Annex II to Regulation 2013/577) you must follow certain rules after your pet animal has received a vaccination:

- a blood test from the pet animal has been collected at least 30 days after the date of vaccination and not later than 3 months before the date of travel;

- a rabies antibody titration test has been carried out on the blood sample at an approved laboratory in the European Union;

- the results of the blood test must measure a level of neutralising antibody to rabies virus in serum equal to or greater than 0.5 IU/ml;

- Pet owners must wait at least 3 months after the date of the blood test before the journey (if the country or territory is non-exempt). The three-month period does not apply to the re-entry of a pet animal whose passport certifies that the titration was carried out, with a positive result, before the animal left the territory of the Community.

Derogations

Some EU Member States allow derogations from the requirement for anti-rabies vaccination for young dogs, cats and ferrets:

- which are less than 12 weeks old and have not received an anti-rabies vaccination; or

- which are between 12 and 16 weeks old and have received an anti-rabies vaccination, but less than 21 days have elapsed from the completion of the vaccination protocol for primary anti-rabies vaccination.

Bulgaria allows the entry of young dogs, which are less 12 weeks old and have received an anti-rabies vaccination, only if the pet animals are from an EU Member State.

The applicable requirements must always be consulted with the local authorities of the country of destination before the start of the journey.

Where a derogation from the requirements for an anti-rabies vaccination applies, the animals must be accompanied by:

- a declaration from the owner (see the model set out in Part 1 of Annex I to Regulation (EU) No 577/2013) that from birth until the time of the non-commercial movement the pet animals have had no contact with wild animals of species susceptible to rabies; or

- from the passport of the animal's mother it can be established that, before the animal's birth, the mother received an anti-rabies vaccination which complied with the validity requirements set out in Annex III to Regulation No 576/2013.

Anti-rabies re-vaccination

Annual anti-rabies re-vaccination is mandatory in Bulgaria.

Where a re-vaccination has been missed and you are travelling to a country, which has not been included in the list of ‘exempt’ countries, your pet animal will have to be vaccinated and tested again, and you will be required to wait 3 months before the journey can be made.

Treatment

In accordance with Commission Delegated Regulation (EU) No 1152/2011 dogs must be treated against the Echinococcus multilocular parasite before entry into Finland, Ireland, Malta or the United Kingdom or Norway by a veterinarian within a period of not more than 120 hours and not less than 24 hours before the time of scheduled entry, and the administered treatment must be indicated in the relevant part of the passport.

Clinical examination

Dogs, cats and ferrets must undergo a clinical examination within 48 hours prior to the time of departure by a licensed veterinarian who must check whether the animals show any signs of disease and whether they are fit for the intended voyage in accordance with Regulation (EC) No 1/2005 on the protection of animals during transport.

Treatment against Echinococcus multilocularis

Prior to entering Finland, Ireland, Malta, the United Kingdom or Norway pet animals (applies only to dogs) must be treated against the Echinococcus multilocularis parasite in accordance with Commission Delegated Regulation (EU) No 1152/2011.

- the treatment must be applied by a veterinarian;

- not more than 120 hours and not less than 24 hours before the time of the animal's scheduled entry and must be certified by a veterinarian in the relevant part of the passport.

Passport

Dogs, cats and ferrets must be accompanied by an individual passport, issued and completed by a licensed veterinarian. The passport must indicate: the code displayed by the transponder or tattoo, information about the anti-rabies vaccination, and details relating to the treatment against the Echinococcus multilocularis parasite, where applicable, and the clinical examination.

Pet animal's passport or official veterinary certificate (link to certificate), if pet owners are travelling from a country outside the European Union, must indicate:

- the date of birth of your pet animal;

- the number of the microchip, the date of implanting or reading the microchip and the microchip’s location in the animal's body;

- details of vaccinations;

- the name of the vaccine manufacturer;

- the vaccine batch number;

- the validity period of the vaccination;

- the signature and contact details of the veterinarian.

Where the registration of an anti-rabies vaccination in the passport takes the form of a sticker, a transparent adhesive laminate strip must seal the sticker (included in the pet passport).

Health certificate

Dogs, cats and ferrets must be accompanied to the final destination by a health certificate (model set out in Part 1 of Annex to Directive 92/65/EEC, last amended by Commission Implementing Decision 2013/518/ЕU), issued by issued by an official veterinarian of the Member State of dispatch who must:

- indicate the registration number of the holding/establishment from which the animal originates;

- indicate the number of the passport of each animal from the consignment;

- confirm that a clinical examination has been carried out;

- notify the movement to the competent bodies of the country of destination via the Community Trade Control and Expert System (TRACES).

Dogs, cats and ferrets must be accompanied to the final destination by a health certificate (model set out in Part 1 of Annex to Directive 92/65/EEC, last amended by Commission Implementing Decision 2013/518/ЕU), issued by issued by an official veterinarian of the Member State of dispatch who must indicate:

- indicate the registration number of the holding/establishment from which the animal originates;

- indicate the number of the passport of each animal from the consignment;

- confirm that a clinical examination has been carried out;

- notify the movement to the competent bodies of the country of destination via the Community Trade Control and Expert System (TRACES).

Commercial movement of pet animals from countries outside the European Union

In order to be imported into the territory of Bulgaria or another EU Member State pet animals (dogs, cats and ferrets) must come from territories or third countries included in one of the lists referred to in:

- Annex I to Decision 2004/211/EC;

- Part 1 of Annex II to Regulation (EU) No 206/2010;

- Annex II to Implementing Regulation (EU) No 577/2013.

Compliance must be ensured with all requirements laid down in Commercial movement of pet animals from EU Member States.

Non-commercial movement of pet animals to an EU Member State from a territory outside the EU or a third country

The maximum number of pet animals, which may accompany the owner during a single non-commercial movement, may not exceed five. This number may be exceeded only if several conditions are cumulatively satisfied:

- the non-commercial movement of pet animals is for the purpose of participating in competitions, exhibitions or sporting events or in training for such events;

- you can submit written evidence that the pet animals are registered either to attend the event;

- the pet animals are at least six months old.

Derogations for the maximum number of pet animals during a single non-commercial movement

Where the number of pet animals (dogs, cats or ferrets) exceed five and the conditions for derogations (sporting events, etc.) are not fulfilled, the animals are subject to the veterinary requirements for the commercial movement of pet animals.

1. They must be marked in accordance with Article 17(1) of Regulation (EU) No 576/2013; and

2. They have received an anti-rabies vaccination in accordance with the validity requirements laid down in Annex III of Regulation (EU) No 576/2013;

Derogations: only for young pet animals of the species listed in Part A of Annex I to Regulation (EU) No 576/2013 from third countries, included in the list referred to in Article 13(1) or (2) or in accordance with Article 11.

3. Rabies antibody titration tests have been carried out in accordance with the validity requirements laid down in Annex IV to Regulation (EU) No 576/2013. The test is mandatory for countries not included in the lists referred to in Parts 1 and 2 of Annex II of Regulation (EU) No 577/2013.

4. They satisfy all preventive health measure for controlling diseases or infections other than rabies in accordance with Article 19(1) of Regulation (EU) No 576/2013;

5. They are accompanied by the identification document based on the model set out in Regulation (EU) No 577/2013, which has been issued and completed in accordance with Article 26 of Regulation (EU) No 576/2013.

Information about the owners of pet animals relating to the identification, vaccination and the de-worming of animals

Responsibilities of pet animal owners and animal keepers:

- animal registration: All dogs are subject to mandatory registration in the Integrated Information System of the Bulgarian Food Safety Agency (VetIS). Dogs must be registered within seven days of the acquisition or at the age of 4 months by a licensed veterinarian. At the time of dog registration, the veterinarian implants a microchip that conforms to ISO 11784, issues a passport based on a model (if a passport has not already been issued) and vaccinates and de-worms the dog (depending on the age of the animal).

Not later than seven days after a change occurs in the address or ownership of a dog or after the death of a dog, the owner must notify the change to the competent provincial directorate of the Bulgarian Food Safety Agency.

- Owners must take care of the heath of animals and ensure that they receive the necessary veterinary care (annually present the dogs for anti-rabies vaccination) and spare them any pain and stress;

- Dogs must not be left unsupervised and their owners and keepers must ensure that they do not pose a threat to other animals and people nearby. Animals must not be allowed to pollute or destroy the environment. Animal behaviour that causes damage to property belonging to third parties is not allowed. Animal owners are responsible for any damage caused by their animals.

An annual fee is payable for dog ownership in accordance with the Local Taxes and Fees Act.

This requirement does not apply to the following categories of dogs:

- assistant dogs owned by disabled persons;

-  service dogs used by public sector organisations;

- dogs used for experimental purposes;

- dogs used by the Bulgarian Red Cross;

- neutered dogs;

- working dogs that accompany or guard livestock kept on registered animal holdings.

Transport of live animals

The Bulgarian Food Safety Agency is the control body responsible for the issuance of authorisations for transporting livestock on short and long journeys pursuant to Articles 10 and 11 of Council Regulation (EC) No 1/2005 of 22 December 2004 on the protection of animals during transport and related operations and amending Directives 64/432/EEC and 93/119/EC and Regulation (EC) No 1255/97.

The Regulation lays down requirements for:

- measures to reduce to a minimum the length of journeys and ensure that the needs of the animals are fully met;

- the fitness of animals for transport;

- the means of transport and for the equipment used for animal loading and unloading;

- the responsibilities of transporters and all parties involved in the chain for transporting live animals entering or leaving the territory of the European Union.

Types of authorisations granted for the transport of live animals

Authorisations for short journeys

The drivers of road vehicles transporting animals submit applications to the Head of the competent Provincial Food Safety Directorates to which a certificate attesting to the completion of a course on animal health and welfare during transport is annexed.

The competent Provincial Food Safety Directorates performs an inspection of the road vehicle and issues a protocol of approval. The package of documents is then sent to the head office of the Bulgarian Food Safety Agency for the issuance of an authorisation. The requisite service fee must be paid to the bank account of the head office of the Bulgarian Food Safety Agency.

The authorisations issued to transporters for short journeys are published on the website of the Bulgarian Food Safety Agency and entered into the Integrated Information system of the Agency (VetIS).

The authorisations are valid for a period of 5 years.

Authorisations for long journeys

The drivers of road vehicles transporting animals submit applications to the Head of the competent Provincial Food Safety Directorates to which a certificate attesting to the completion of a course on animal health and welfare during transport is annexed.

The competent Provincial Food Safety Directorates performs an inspection of the road vehicle and issues a certificate of approval. The road vehicles must be equipped with a navigation system.

The package of documents is sent to the head office of the Bulgarian Food Safety Agency for the issuance of an authorisation. The requisite service fee must be paid to the bank account of the head office of the Bulgarian Food Safety Agency.

The authorisations issued to transporters for long journeys are published on the website of the Bulgarian Food Safety Agency and entered into the Integrated Information system of the Agency (VetIS).

The authorisations are valid for a period of 5 years.

Legal framework

The procedure for the transfer of cash, valuables, precious metals, precious stones and objects made of or with such metals and stones for non-commercial use are laid down in Regulation (EC) No 1889/2005 of the European Parliament and of the Council of 26 October 2005 on controls of cash entering or leaving the Community, Currency Act of the Republic of Bulgaria and Regulation № N-1 of 01.02.2012 г.

Cash and Valuables when Travelling To or From Third Countries (Non-EU)

If passengers carry cash of €10,000 or more, or the equivalent amount in any other currency, they must complete a customs declaration upon entry into, or exit from, the EU and present it to a customs officer.

Declare

‘Cash’ means:

1. currency, i.e., banknotes and coins in circulation as a means of exchange, and

2. payment instruments drawn to bearer, such as:

- traveller’s cheques, cheques, promissory notes or bills of exchange or any other payment instrument drawn to bearer or freely endorsable or issued in any other form that makes it transferrable by delivery;

- cheques, promissory notes, bills of exchange or any other payment instrument that has been signed but without the mention of a payee.
Subject to declaration is the amount of €10,000 or more, being the sum total of the amounts in all kinds of cash being carried.

If the cash being carried across the border is of a destination outside the EU and amounts to BGN 30,000 or more, or the equivalent amount in any other currency, the person concerned must have paid off any amounts outstanding to the National Revenues Agency (NAP) and must not owe any amounts in arrears at the date of leaving Bulgaria.

The above requirement is not applicable to foreign nationals leaving Bulgaria and carrying cash of BGN 30,000 or more, or the equivalent amount in any other currency, provided that they declare such cash to the customs authorities and provided that the amount of such cash does not exceed the amount already declared upon the person’s last entry into Bulgaria. Foreign nationals must prove the latter by a declaration of the cash they carried upon their last entry into Bulgaria.

Declaring persons

Every natural person who enters or leaves the territory of the European Union and carries cash of €10,000 or more must declare the amount to the customs authorities.

Every natural person means every person who crosses the border on foot or every passenger (including crew members) who enters or leaves the territory of the European Union by air, road, rail or water transport.

The person filing the declaration is the person who carries the cash regardless of whether such person owns the cash or not.

Where the person carrying the cash is a minor (under 16), the declaration must be filed by any accompanying person of legal age.

Declaration places

The declaration of cash must be completed and presented in front of a customs officer at the customs checkpoint through which the person filing the declaration enters or leaves the territory of the European Union.

Where there are two customs lanes (a Red and a Green one), the declaration must be presented in the Red Lane.

Fail to Declare

In the event of failure to declare or if the declaration is wrong or incomplete, the customs authorities may seize the cash being carried. A fine will be issued in accordance with the national legislation.

When Travelling To or From Another EU Member State

If passengers carry cash of €10,000 or more, or the equivalent amount in any other currency, they must declare it if required to do so by a customs officer.

Declare

‘Cash’ means:

1. currency, i.e., banknotes and coins in circulation as a means of exchange, and

2. payment instruments drawn to bearer, such as:

- traveller’s cheques, cheques, promissory notes or bills of exchange or any other payment instrument drawn to bearer or freely endorsable or issued in any other form that makes it transferrable by delivery;

- cheques, promissory notes, bills of exchange or any other payment instrument that has been signed but without the mention of a payee.
Subject to declaration is the amount of €10,000 or more, being the sum total of the amounts in all kinds of cash being carried.

Declaring persons

Every natural person who enters or leaves the territory of Bulgaria and carries cash of €10,000 or more must declare it if required to do so by a customs officer.

Every natural person means every person who crosses the border on foot or every passenger (including crew members) who enters or leaves the territory of the EU by air, road, rail or water transport.

The person filing the declaration is the person who carries the cash regardless of whether such person owns the cash or not.

Declaration places

The declaration of cash must be completed and presented upon crossing the Bulgarian border to or from another EU Member State as required by a customs officer.

Fail to Declare

If the person concerned, having been required to do so by a customs officer, fails to declare or presents a declaration that is wrong or incomplete, the customs authorities may seize the undeclared cash and may, in addition, impose a fine.

Precious Metals and Stones and Objects Made Of or With Such Metals and Stones

Every natural person who carries precious metals, precious stones and objects made of or with such metals and stones for non-commercial use must complete and present to the customs authorities a declaration of cash:

- whenever such person enters or leaves the territory of the European Union;

-  if required to do so by a competent officer when travelling to or from another EU Member State.

Subject to declaration are precious metals, precious stones or objects made of or with them that exceed the following quantities:

- 37 grams of gold or platinum, unprocessed or semi-processed, or coins regardless of their gold or platinum content;

- 60 grams of jewels or accessories made of gold or platinum alloys regardless of the gold or platinum content;

- 300 grams of silver, unprocessed or semi-processed, or coins, and jewels or accessories made of silver alloys regardless of the silver content;

- precious stones incorporated in any of the above objects.

In the event of failure to declare or if the declaration is wrong or incomplete, the customs authorities may seize such precious metals, stones and objects made of or with them. A fine will be issued in accordance with the national legislation.

EU Member States have different national rules in place for the carrying of cash within the European Union.

The relevant information is available on the webpage of the European Commission.

Export of Cultural Goods

The export of cultural goods listed in Annex I to Council Regulation (EC) No 116/2009 of 18 December 2008 on the Export of Cultural Goods (Codified Version of Regulation (EEC) No 3911/92) outside the customs territory of the Community shall be subject to the presentation of an export licence issued by a competent authority of a Member State.

In the Republic of Bulgaria the competent authority is the Minister of Culture or an official empowered by the Minister. The form of the export licence for export outside the customs territory of the Community is set out in Commission Regulation (EEC) No 752/93 laying down provisions for the implementation of Council Regulation (EEC) No 3911/92.

The export of cultural goods which form part of national heritage or are listed among the principal holdings of a museum is only allowed by a temporary licence, issued by the Minister of Culture or by an official empowered by the Minister, for the purposes of exhibiting such objects abroad or for any conservation or restoration work on such objects. The duration of such export may not exceed 24 months and may be extended once by no more than six months.

A new requirement laid down by the Cultural Heritage Act is that the export or temporary export of cultural goods outside the territory of Bulgaria to other EU Member States is subject to an export certificate issued by the Director of the museum which identified and listed the cultural goods in question.

Where cultural goods forming part of national heritage or listed among the principal holdings of a museum are exported temporarily outside the territory of Bulgaria to other EU Member States, the licence is issued by the Minister of Culture or by an official empowered by the Minister.

Movable archaeological objects, movable archaeological monuments of culture and archaeological coins or coin-like objects can be exported subject to a licence issued by the Minister of Culture following their identification and listing in accordance with the provisions of the Cultural Heritage Act.

Movable archaeological objects, movable archaeological monuments of culture and archaeological coins or coin-like objects forming part of national heritage may not be exported outside the customs territory of the Community or outside the territory of Bulgaria to other EU Member States except by a temporary licence issued by the Minister of Culture, or by an official empowered by the Minister, for the purposes of exhibiting such objects abroad or for any conservation or restoration work on such objects. The duration of such export may not exceed 24 months and may be extended once by no more than six months.

The export of cultural goods without a licence or export certificate carries a fine of BGN 5,000 to 10,000 or, in the case of sole traders and legal persons, punitive damages of BGN 10,000 to 20,000, provided that the offence does not constitute a crime. The objects concerned are confiscated.

Member State Information: List of the customs offices empowered to handle formalities for the export of cultural goods published pursuant to Article 5 (2) of Council Regulation (EC) No 116/09

Goods in the Personal Luggage of Travellers from Third Countries (Non-EU)

Pursuant to the Bulgarian Value Added Tax Act and to Council Regulation (EC) No 1186/2009 setting up a Community system of reliefs from customs duties, and to the Excise Duties and Bonded Warehouses Act, the import of goods of non-commercial character carried in the personal luggage of passengers may, up to certain thresholds and quantitative limits, be granted relief from VAT, customs duties and excise duties.

Importation is deemed to be of non-commercial character where it is not performed regularly and is comprised exclusively of goods for the personal or family use of the traveller or of goods intended as presents, the kinds and quantities of these goods not being such as to indicate importation for a commercial purpose.

The monetary thresholds for goods other than the goods subject to quantitative thresholds are:

- €300 or the equivalent in BGN for travellers crossing a land border;

- €430 or the equivalent in BGN for sea or air passengers.

‘Air passengers’ and ‘sea passengers’ are passengers by air or sea respectively, but not on private leisure flights or private leisure voyages.

The value of a traveller’s personal luggage, being imported temporarily or being brought back after its temporary exportation, and the value of any medicinal products for the traveller’s personal use is exempt regardless of the applicable monetary thresholds.

For the purposes of a monetary threshold, the value of any single item may not be divided.

In addition to goods up to the applicable monetary thresholds, every traveller above the age of 17 may import

tobacco products:

- 200 cigarettes, for air passengers, and 40, for other travellers;

- 50 cigars, for air passengers, and 10, for other travellers;

- 100 cigarillos, for air passengers, and 20, for other travellers;

- 250 grams of smoking tobacco, for air passengers, and 50 grams, for other travellers.

alcohol and alcoholic beverages:

- a total of 1 litre of alcohol and alcoholic beverages, of an alcoholic strength by volume exceeding 22%, or non-denatured ethyl alcohol of 80% by volume or over;

- a total of 2 litres of alcohol and alcoholic beverages of an alcoholic strength by volume not exceeding 22%;

- a total of 4 litres of still wine;

- 16 litres of beer.

Any combination of tobacco products for each individual traveller and any combination of alcohol and alcoholic beverages for each individual traveller, with the exception of still wine and beer, may not exceed 100% as the sum of the percentages of allowed quantities being carried in each category.

Lower monetary thresholds and quantitative limits apply for the crews of the means of transport coming from a third country or territory.

Also exempt is the import of the fuel for each individual passenger vehicle coming from a third country or territory contained in the vehicle’s standard reservoir, as well as up to 10 litres of such fuel carried in a portable container.

The monetary and the quantitative thresholds apply also where the travel between Member States includes a transit through the territory of a third country or starts from a third territory, except where the passenger can prove that VAT was levied on the goods in the Member State where they were acquired and the goods are not eligible for VAT refund. Overflight without landing is not deemed to be transit.

Brief overview of the monetary and quantitative thresholds applicable to goods contained in the personal luggage of travellers coming from third (non-EU) countries or territories:

For example: At best, travellers may import duty- and tax-free 200 cigarettes, for air passengers, or 40 cigarettes, for other travellers; 1 litre of alcoholic beverages, 4 litres of still wine, 16 litres of beer, as well as other goods (such as: toys, perfumes, electronic devices, etc.) up to the BGN equivalent of:

- €430, for air and sea passengers;

- €300, for road and internal waterway passengers.

Admission for free circulation of personal property belonging to natural persons transferring their normal place of residence from a third country to the European Union

When persons intent to transfer the normal place of residence from a third (non-EU) country to the Republic of Bulgaria, the persons should bear in mind that the provisions for the duty-free admission for free circulation of the personal property belonging to natural persons transferring their normal place of residence from a third country to the European Union have been laid down in Council Regulation (EC) No 1186/2009 of 16 November 2009 setting up a Community system of reliefs from customs duties.

For the duty-free admission of personal property for free circulation, the person transferring his or her normal place of residence from a third country to the Republic of Bulgaria must meet the following conditions:

1. The person concerned must have had his or her normal place of residence in a third country for at least 12 consecutive months. Any of the following documents may serve to prove that this condition has been met: the person’s passport, showing his or her length of stay in the third country; an immigration card; an emigration passport (passe-avant); a document certifying that the person concerned has been struck off the register of the Bulgarian consulate in the third country, showing the date of registration with the consulate; a document issued by the police or by a municipal authority in the third country, certifying the person’s length of stay in that country and the fact that the person has definitively left that country; an employment contract in the third country showing the person’s length of stay in that country; etc.

2. The person concerned must be transferring his or her normal place of residence to the Republic of Bulgaria. Any of the following documents may serve to prove that this condition has been met: a long-stay permit issued by the Bulgarian authorities; a work visa issued by the Bulgarian Ministry of Labour and Social Policy; an employment contract in Bulgaria or a document issued by a Bulgarian or a foreign legal person, certifying that the person concerned will be employed in Bulgaria and showing the person’s intended length of stay in Bulgaria; a court order for company registration; an employment contract in a third country accompanied with a document (attestation) issued by the employer, attesting the termination of the employment contract, or with a signed declaration by the person concerned affirming the termination of the employment contract and the person’s intention to transfer his or her normal place of residence to Bulgaria; a contract for the purchase of real estate in Bulgaria; a declaration signed by the person concerned affirming the transfer of his or her normal place of residence to Bulgaria; etc.

3. The personal property of the person concerned must be in his or her possession and must have been used by that person in his or her previous normal place of residence in the third country the person is leaving.

Any motor vehicles must be in the possession of the person concerned and must have been used effectively by that person in his or her previous normal place of residence for at least six months prior to the date on which that person ceased his or her normal residence in the third country from which the transfer of residence is being made. Any of the following documents may serve to prove that this condition has been met: a vehicle registration card; a sales contract; an invoice or any other similar document.

4. The personal property of the person concerned must be intended for the same uses in that person’s new normal place of residence and must be of such kinds and in such quantities as leave no doubt as to its non-commercial character.

Provided there is no suspicion of any malpractice, the relief from customs duty is granted for any used goods representing, in part or in total, usual furnishings in view of the actual civil status and activities of the person concerned in the third country.

No relief shall be granted for alcoholic products; tobacco or tobacco products; commercial means of transport; and articles for use in the exercise of a trade or profession, other than portable instruments of the applied or liberal arts.

Within the limits for duty-free importation, the personal property imported by natural persons transferring their normal place of residence from a third country to the Republic of Bulgaria is granted relief from value added tax (VAT).

During the 12 months from the date on which the declaration for free circulation was received, the personal property granted relief from customs duty remains under customs supervision. During this period, that personal property may not be loaned, pledged, let or transferred for or without consideration, unless the competent authorities have been given advance notice.

The conditions to be met for the granting of relief from customs duty for the personal property belonging to natural persons transferring their normal place of residence from a third country to the EU are cumulative, so that the absence of any of those conditions is a ground for the refusal to grant such relief. The requirement that the person concerned must be transferring his or her normal place of residence to the Republic of Bulgaria must be met at the same time as the other requirements relating to the personal property being imported, including the requirement that the personal property be intended for the same uses in the new normal place of residence in Bulgaria.

The duty-free admission of personal property for free circulation is authorised by the Director of the local customs directorate, or by an official empowered by the Director, in whose area the person concerned has established his or her normal place of residence, following a review of the evidence produced as to its relevance, admissibility and truthfulness, and its sufficiency to warrant the application of the appropriate rules.

All documents accompanying the goods must be made out in the name of the person concerned transferring his or her normal place of residence.

Where the above provisions are not applicable, the personal property is to be admitted for free circulation and end use subject to the payment of all government levies (customs duties and VAT).