BORDER CROSSING GUIDE - HOW TO ENTER THE REPUBLIC OF BULGARIA - Importation of Leva and Foreign Currency in Cash, of Precious Metals and Precious Stones by Resident and Non-Resident Individuals

2.7.	Importation of Leva and Foreign Currency in Cash, of Precious Metals and Precious Stones by Resident and Non-Resident Individuals
2.7.1.	Importation of Leva and Foreign Currency in Cash By Resident and Non-Resident Individuals
	Resident and non-resident individuals can import an unlimited amount of leva and foreign currency in cash as well as in traveler’s cheques by declaring to the customs authorities the amount, currency and type of traveler’s cheques, if their total exceeds 5000 leva. For the purpose, a Customs Declaration for Foreign Currency (Form 13).
2.7.2.	Importation of Precious Metals and Precious Stones by Resident and Non-Resident Individuals
	For their private use, resident and non-resident individuals can import processed or unprocessed precious metals and precious stones freely and without declaring them upto the following quantities: Gold and platinum - unprocessed or semi-processed - and coins upto 37 gr., irrespective of the gold and platinum content Jewels and accessories made of gold and platinum alloys – upto 60 gr., irrespective of the gold and platinum content Silver – unprocessed or semi-processed - and coins as well as jewels and accessories made of silver alloys, to a total of 300 gr., irrespective of the silver content Precious stones mounted in the above-mentioned articles. Over the indicated quantity, precious metals and precious stones imported by resident and non-resident individuals, as well as when they are in the form of powder or other articles of precious metals and precious stones, which are not described above, are considered as merchandise, and therefore have to be declared. The provisions of the Law on Customs and the Rules for the Application of the Law on Customs are applicable to them, and: If these goods have a non-commercial character, they have to be declared in a Customs Declaration for Foreign Currency (Form 13) If these goods have a commercial character, they have to be declared in a Customs Declaration for Foreign Currency (Form 13) and in the Unified Administrative Document.

Terms and definitions:

Resident individual:

A physical person permanently residing in the country or having a permission for temporary residence in the country for a period over six months

A legal entity with a head office in the country

A legal entity with a head office out of the country, which operates in Bulgaria through a registered branch office

A person, residing abroad upon commission from the Bulgarian state or Bulgarian enterprises and organizations, as well as the members of his/her family.

Non-resident individual:

Any physical person or legal entity who does not meet the provisions for “a resident individual”, as well as the foreign diplomatic, consular, trade and other missions, international organizations, their staff and the foreign nationals employed there.

Foreign currency:

Monetary unit, which is a legal tender in any foreign country, as well as collective currencies

Foreign currency in cash:

Banknotes and coins, which are a legal tender in any foreign country, as well as cheques issued in a foreign country

Precious metals:

Gold, silver and platinum, either processed or non-processed.