Bulgaria customs regulations

Duty-free allowance

When travelling within EU

There are no limits on the amount of alcohol and tobacco a traveller can bring in within the EU. The goods must be for personal use or as a gift and they must have had duty and tax paid in the EU country where they were acquired. Customs officials may require proof of intent if more than all the following is imported.

Tobacco limit

• Restricted to travellers 18 years and over;
• 800 cigarettes;
• 400 cigarillos (max 3g each);
• 200 cigars;
• 1kg smoking tobacco.

Bringing alcohol

• Restricted to travellers 18 years and over;
• 10 litres of spirits over 22%;
• 20 litres of alcoholic beverages, other than either wine or beer, less than 22% volume;
• 90 litres of wine (with a maximum 60 litres of sparkling wine);
• 110 litres of beer.

When travelling from outside the EU

If entering the EU from outside, passengers may bring with them duty-free goods for personal use within the limits set out below. The same applies if coming from the Canary Islands, the Channel Islands, Gibraltar or other territories where EU rules on VAT do not apply.

Tobacco limit

Restricted to travellers 18 years and over. One of the following:

• 200 cigarettes;
• 100 cigarillos;
• 50 cigars;
• 250g of smoking tobacco;
• or a proportional combination of these goods (such as 100 cigarettes and 50 cigarillos).

Bringing alcohol

Restricted to travellers 18 years and over. One of the following:

• 1 litre exceeding 22% alcohol volume;
• or 2 litres up to 22% alcohol volume.

In addition, both of the following:

• 4 litres of still wine;
• and 16 litres of beer.

Cash limit

• There are no restrictions on the importation of currency into the EU.
• Funds of more than €10,000 must be declared to the customs authorities.

Other Goods free from duty

• Medicines for personal use. Travellers may be asked to provide a prescription for certain medications.
• Personal items of non-commercial nature worth up to €430 when travelling by air or sea.
• Personal items of non-commercial nature worth up to €300 when travelling by land.
• Personal items of non-commercial nature worth up to €200 for travellers under 15 years of age.

Prohibited items

The following are goods which cannot be brought into the country.

• Some weapons for example knuckle dusters and pump guns.
• Counterfeit currency and goods.
• Pornographic literature which deals with violence, sexual abuse of children or animals.
• Narcotics.

Restricted items

These goods are strictly regulated, and in most cases require a permit to be obtained prior to arrival.

• Endangered animals, plants, and their derivative products protected under the Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species (CITES) may require protected species permits. For further information, please visit CITES.
• Cats, dogs, and ferrets are subject to a mandatory health inspection at the first point of entry on EU territory. They must also have a microchip or tattoo, and have been properly vaccinated against rabies. A Common Veterinary Entry Document certifying the healthy inspection must be provided with the customs declaration. Pets travelling within the EU must have a valid pet passport.
• 2kg of products of animal origin such as milk powder, baby food, and food for medical purposes can be brought in personal baggage as long as they are still packaged and do not require refrigeration.
• Animal products, such as meat and dairy, from outside the EU are subject to veterinary inspections upon arrival. For further information, please visit Goods for Personal Consumption: Food.
• Plants and their derivative products, including fruit and vegetables, may require a phytosanitary certificate upon arrival, and some may be prohibited from entry.
• Weapons - A European Firearms Pass (EFP) is required listing the weapon as well as a permit for import to Bulgaria.