Bulgaria - British Expat Forum

Hi having now bought in the Kardjali region i would like
to know what the sp is about bringing my car from the UK and leaving it in Bulgaria for future use.

As far as as am aware, BG has a rule that whatever car you enter the country with, you have to have with you as and when you leave! A bit of a quirky law but there you go!

Nothing quirky about it at all. It is to stop people bringing cars into the country, selling them and leaving without paying the import duty and VAT.

I've an old Volvo estate in London that keeps going and going though it is ancient. Have tried to see if I can register it in BG but no joy yet. Some say yes, others say no you can't register a RHD car in Bulgaria. Must do some more research. Wouldn't bring a car from BG into UK. Done the trip. Just not worth the hassle with ferries, motels and roughing it across Europe, especially with kids aboard. Sheer torture.

In theory, could you just move over with your car/van (we are planning to buy a van in UK to move our stuff over and stay there if poss.)

And register it when you get there or is there lots of paper shuflling to do first?

Ans what do you do about tax/insurance?

THanks again!

I'm not being funny, but can you quote me this law at all?

Is there anywhere I can get details of the import duties and taxes?

I have a friend with property near Ruse who is planning on taking his car over on Tuesday and he's booked to fly back with us.

I also am about to swap my Skoda for a left hand drive Sierra to take over later.

The duties can't be that steep, as it was still cheaper for our regular taxi driver in Dobrich to buy his new taxi in the Netherlands and drive it home than buy it in Bulgaria.

Also, right hand drive cars are allowed to be registered in Bulgaria - I have seen a Varna registered RHD Rover 820 in Sunny Beach and I have a photo here of a Ruse registered RHD Nisaan March Super Turbo that I took in May.

Yeti wrote: Is there anywhere I can get details of the import duties and taxes?

The best bet is to call the BG embassy.

As I understand it, if you take a car (bike/van etc) to BG, then you must leave with it or pay import duty. This is also the case if the car is stolen, you will be taxed.

You can legally import a car, there are also agencies which will help you do this. The cost may be high, so its probably better to buy one in BG.

Maybe take a look at some back issues of Quest Bulgaria (ask Jain)

I called them, and they were pretty much hopeless.

I'll just call my taxi driver mate in Dobrich, he'll be able to tell me - his Vento had Dutch plates on it in May when i was over, he'd just got it.

Dear Yeti

Have you had a chance to ask your Taxi mate in Dobrich about bringing in a foreign car/van etc. I plan to bring my ex postal van over in March and would like any info on how I go about it or even if I should?????
I have a place in Veliko Turnova and want to buy another in Bourgas area so a means of transport a must!!!

Many thanks Maryrose

Sorry ,I have no ideas of the law but about a year ago a friend of mine took out a uk car, he has kept it on uk plates because he says it is not worth the cost to reregister it as bulgarian it is very expensive, he also has to take it out of the country every so ofton and bring it back, this only involves driving over the border and coming back after the necessary paperwork and costs, but now we are all in eu pehaps rules have changed or if they have not they should

Guys,

You might find this useful..

http://www.en.customs.bg/index.php?lang=en&op=goto;section@news;subsection@faq;question@5


However I am trying to get information if the country of manufacturing the car does matter when importing to BG. For example if the car is made in Japan or USA. Any ideas.

Apparently ive just found out that if a foreigner buys a car in BG or imports one over they have to register the car within two weeks with the tax office, so you will need to submit a tax return for your car as well as your property.

I am about to drive over with a car & caravan, is the above about import duty still relevant or is it now not an issue since BG became a full EU member.

Hi if your bringing your car over to BG you have to have UK insurance that covers BG. You will then have to buy BG insurance at the KAT, this is the place where you register your car. Not sure how much it is to register your car. The general insurance will be between 100 lv - 200 lv. If you want a more comprehensive insurance you will have to find an isurance broker. Hope this makes sence but this is all i know.


Tracy

Come on people, cant you see the pattern, this is so frustrating, time and time again you get posts from people desperate to know about taking a vehicle to BG, some are going next week, next month or whatever, some even say they will post back as soon as they have done the trip, then nothing!!

We all appreciate what its like moving and settling into a new house, let alone a new country, but you remember what it was like, please please post your info and experiences.

Or is this forum destined to be a continuing group of posts asking the same questions and getting vague half answers (no disrespect intended, god some of us are so desperate we would take advice from the back of a match box)

Please Please Please, lets here it from the horse’s mouth.

And for those of you as desperate as me, there is a light at the end of the tunnel.

I will give you a hand on my heart guarantee.
We are intending to take a 7.5ton wagon over in the new year, all I need to know is, do you have to leave the country with the vehicle you arrived in (or register it there) is it locked to your passport until it leaves or is registered in BG?

I intend to sell the wagon over there on UK plates, I have spoke to a BG car dealer over there and he will quite happily buy it on UK plates.

But if no one else answers the question (and even if they do), I guarantee that the first thing I will do once we have unloaded is log onto this forum and tell you all about it.
I won’t forget, I won’t be too busy, I will do it within a couple of days of arrival.
Because I remember what its like, reading post after post, waiting for the info that never arrives....

Finally, on the subject of registering your vehicle in BG. (UH-OO here comes one of those vague half answers) Sorry it’s the best I can do.

A good friend of mine took his wagon over, registered it no problem (cost him 75 euros) he did have to be there at 5am to get in the queue, and of course he needed help with the forms in BG, but he said it was a piece of cake.
I will say though, after reading all the posts, it does seem to depend on what area you are in, some are easier than others. He is near Stara Zagora.