How do I import a car from abroad?
From the EU there is no duty — but there is an eco-tax and a one-month deadline. When you buy a used car in an EU country, no customs duty is due and no VAT is paid at the Bulgarian border — there is no import regime between member states. A customs declaration is still filed, however, and an eco-tax is paid, ranging from €51.13 to €196.85 depending on the vehicle. Registration with the traffic police must happen within 1 month of purchase, at your permanent address. You will need the registration certificate — parts 1 and 2 from the other state, a roadworthiness document, the ownership documents and a declaration of acquisition. At first registration the inspection doubles as the roadworthiness test, valid for 1 year.
📋 The rules
- From the EU: no customs duty; no VAT at the border
- An eco-tax is payable: €51.13 to €196.85
- Register with the traffic police within 1 month
- You need parts 1 and 2 of the foreign registration certificate
- At first registration the inspection counts as the 1-year test
🔓 Exceptions
- For a car from outside the EU, both customs duty and VAT are payable
- For a "new" vehicle in the VAT sense, different rules apply
- Third-party insurance is taken out before registration
⚠️ Penalties & fines
Missing the 1-month registration deadline breaches the Road Traffic Act and is penalised, and with an unregistered car you cannot lawfully drive at all. There are three classic traps: a missing part 2 of the foreign registration certificate — without it registration stalls; an unpaid eco-tax; and a mismatch between the VIN and the paperwork, which leads to refusal. For a car from outside the EU, both customs duty and VAT are due — the sums change entirely. And do not forget third-party cover: it must be in place before registration.
📎 Official sources
- Customs Agency · Importing a car →
- Your Europe · Registering a car in the EU →
- Ministry of the Interior · Traffic police →
❓ Frequently asked
Is customs duty payable on an import from the EU?
No. Buying a car in a member state attracts no customs duty, and no VAT is paid at the border. A customs declaration is still filed and an eco-tax is paid.
How much is the eco-tax?
Between €51.13 and €196.85 depending on the vehicle. It is due even though no duty is payable, and paying it is a condition of completing the process.
How soon must I register the car?
Within 1 month of purchase, with the traffic police at your permanent address. Missing the deadline breaches the Road Traffic Act and is penalised.
What documents do I need?
The registration certificate — parts 1 and 2 — from the other state, a roadworthiness document, the ownership documents, and a declaration of acquisition.
What about a car from outside the EU?
Then both customs duty and VAT are due, and the process runs through customs clearance. The cost differs substantially from an import within the Union.
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