Bulgaria Import Duties & Taxes Explained

There is no VAT threshold in Bulgaria; all commercial imports are subject to 20% VAT regardless of value. Your shipment will be charged import VAT on arrival, as the previous €22 exemption was abolished in 2021.

There is currently a €150 duty-free threshold for customs duty on commercial shipments to Bulgaria. Import VAT at 20% applies to all shipments regardless of value, and the €150 duty exemption will be abolished on July 1, 2026.

Duty rates vary by product category, ranging from 0% for many electronics to approximately 12% for items like clothing. The specific rate depends on the Harmonized System code assigned to your items.

Yes, carriers like DHL or FedEx typically charge an administrative fee between €12 and €25 for processing your shipment through Bulgarian Customs. This fee covers the service of advancing tax payments and clearing your package.

The 20% VAT is applied to the sum of your item value, shipping costs, insurance, any customs duties, and carrier handling fees. This ensures the tax covers the full landed cost of your shipment.

Customs duty generally applies only when the intrinsic value of goods in a single shipment exceeds €150. Please note that EU regulations are scheduled to abolish this threshold on July 1, 2026, potentially making all shipments subject to duty.

You can estimate costs by adding 20% VAT to your item value plus shipping, then checking if your goods exceed €150 to determine potential duty rates. Remember to also include a carrier handling fee of roughly €15 in your calculations.

No, packages sent from a business entity like Stackry are treated as commercial shipments and do not qualify for the €45 gift exemption. All such items are subject to standard import taxes.

No, Stackry does not collect VAT at checkout, so you will be required to pay the import VAT locally in Bulgaria when your shipment arrives. This is standard for forwarders shipping from the US.

The courier usually pays the taxes and duties on your behalf and bills you directly upon delivery. If your shipment is sent via Bulgarian Post, you may need to visit a local branch to settle the fees.