Declaring of cash when traveling and in post parcels
Cash are:
- currency - banknotes and coins in circulation as a means of exchange;
- bearer payment instruments.
Bearer payment instruments are:
- traveller’s cheque, cheque, promisory note, bill of exchange or any other payment instrument – either bearer’s or with a provision for endorsement without limitations or one that has been issued in any other form that provides legally for a transfer by delivery;
- cheque, promisory note, bill of exchange or any other payment instrument hat has been signed but does not carry the name of the recipient.
I. Carrying cash across the border of the country to or from a third country
Persons crossing the border of Bulgaria may import and export unlimited amounts of cash.
Carrying of cash in the amount of 10 000 euros or more or their equivalent in Bulgarian levs or another currency to or from a third country is subject to declaration before the customs authorities.
When carrying cash in the amount of 30 000 levs or more or their equivalent in another currency across the border of the country to a third country, persons also submit a certificate from the relevant territorial directorate of the National Revenue Agency on the lack of tax arrears or a document certifying that they have not been entered in the register of the National Revenue Agency.
When carrying across cash to a third country in the amount of 30 000 levs or more or their equivalent in another currency, foreign natural persons declare before the customs authorities only the type and amount of the carried cash where their value does not exceed the previously declared value during the last entry in the country.
In cases of justified doubts or information concerning unlawful activities related to carrying of cash in an amount less than 10 000 euros or its equivalent in Bulgarian levs or another foreign currency, the customs authorities may exercise control over the natural persons and require from them to provide information related to these funds. Customs authorities ex officio enter the information in a register.
II. Carrying cash across the border of the country to or from a Member State of the European Union
Persons crossing the border of Bulgaria may import and export unlimited amounts of cash.
Carrying of cash in the amount of 10 000 euros or more or their equivalent in Bulgarian levs or another currency across the border of the country to or from a Member State of the European Union is subject to declaration before the customs authorities on their request.
In cases of justified doubts or information concerning unlawful activities related to carrying of cash in an amount less than 10 000 euros or its equivalent in Bulgarian levs or another foreign currency, the customs authorities may exercise control over the natural persons and require from them to provide information related to these funds. Customs authorities ex officio enter the information in a register.
III. Transfer of cash through post parcels
Transfer of cash through post parcels is prohibited, with the exception of parcels with declared value. Transfer of cash in the amount of 10 000 euros or more or their equivalent in Bulgarian levs or another currency across the border of the country to or from a third country is subject to declaration. In cross-border transfer of cash in the same amount to or from a Member State of the European Union a declaration is filled by the persons only on the request of the customs authorities. Declarations received by the postal authorities are transmitted to the customs authorities.
Transfer of cash through post parcels by the Bulgarian National Bank and the commercial banks is permissible only when the parcels are with declared value. In cross-border transfer of cash, the Bulgarian National Bank and the commercial banks present to the customs authorities the parcel and a document which is considered as a declaration.
For violation of the requirements in items I, II and III, natural persons, legal persons and sole traders bear administrative penal responsibility.
