In order to enter Bulgaria, certain goods are subject to specific controls and, regardless of their value and quantity, they require the consent of Bulgaria government, preferably, license must be obtained prior to passage through the customs, preventing the goods from being retained. On this page, you will see what kinds of items are prohibited from entering the Bulgaria, and which items need special documentation before exporting to Bulgaria.
Import restrictions
Senders should determine import restrictions from Bulgarian authorities before posting securities, medicines, plants, or parts of plants. Postage stamps must be addressed to stamp collectors through the Bulgarian Postal Philatelic Service. Only private persons may send gifts. Gifts may include printed publications, photographs, films, gramophone records, magnetic tapes, manuscripts, music sheets and similar objects, provided they are not contrary to the laws and customs of Bulgaria.
Senders should determine import restrictions from Bulgarian authorities before posting:
- Alcoholic beverages
- Animal products
- Animal skins
- Antiques
- Chemicals, non-hazardous
- Coffee
- Computer software
- Cotton and cotton seeds
- Dangerous goods, haz or comb materials
- Drugs: prescription and non-prescription
- Food stuffs
- Furs
- Gambling services
- Grain samples
- Ivory
- Isopropanol
- Medical samples
- Oil products
- Parts of machines
- Perishables
- Phones/modems
- Plants and plant products
- Precious metals and stones
- Seeds
- Ship spares
- Shoes
- Sports equipment
- Stationery
- Tea
- Textile articles
- Tobacco.
EDN’s and export permits are required for:
- Kangaroo skins
- Crocodile skins
- Emu oil
- Fish oil
- Bunker oil
- Coal
- Petroleum bases products
- Tobacco and tobacco products
- Any other alcohol including beer and spirits all volumes.
Special documentation
Bulgaria has no current requirements for special documentation.
The sender and receiver details must be addressed with a valid street address in English. A Post Office Box address is not acceptable.
The sender is responsible for finding if the destination country may impose duties, taxes, brokerage fees or any other fees that may be applied on the item that is being sent. Please contact the consulate office of the country you are sending to or contact the ECI customer contact centre on 1800 007 678.
Prohibitions
In addition to items prohibited by Dangerous and Prohibited Goods & Packaging Post Guide and ECI International Courier Regulations, Bulgaria prohibits:
- Asbestos
- Animals
- Anaesthetics
- Arms and ammunition
- Articles which, by their nature or their packing, may endanger the life or health of postal officials or other persons
- Bullion and currency
- Bulgarian coins
- Clothing, linen or footwear, used
- Coins, banknotes, and securities payable to bearer
- Movable cultural monuments without a permit or a certificate
- Narcotics
- Obscene or immoral articles
- Precious stones, jewels and metals
- Psychotropic substances
- Printed matter, publications, photographs, films, tapes, etc prejudicial to the political or economic institutions of Bulgaria
- Religious materials connected with prohibited or unregistered sects or organizations
- Travellers’ cheques
- Valuable articles in uninsured postal items.