National Customs Agency

The National Customs Agency published information in connection with the ban* by the EU on the introduction of cars with Russian registration number plates through the borders of the European Union. The restrictions are implemented jointly by the authorities of the National Customs Agency and the DG ‘Border Police’ to the Ministry of Interior, after the two institutions started work on the mechanism immediately after the publication of the additional guidelines for the ban by the EU on 12.09.2023.

The prohibition covers not only the declaration of release for free circulation or for special regime, e.g. temporary admission, but also applies when the goods are brought into the customs territory of the Union and presented to the customs authorities - which is essentially the entry of cars with Russian registration number plates into the territory of Bulgaria. Transit of such cars through the country is also not allowed. The ban applies to passenger cars and other cars with Russian license plates intended for the transport of up to 10 people, including personal ones.

Exceptions to the ban are possible on the basis of Art. 3i, paragraph 3a of Regulation (EU) No. 833/2014, but only for cars bought in Russia, needed for the diplomatic and consular missions of the Union and the Member States. This includes delegations, embassies and missions, as well as nationals of Member States and their immediate family members.

Vehicles with Russian registration, which are currently in the territory of the Union, but do not fall into the cases of exceptions, should leave no later than six months from their initial introduction or within the period of their temporary admission, and will not have opportunity to re-enter or obtain permission to extend temporary entry.

Analyses of traffic through Bulgarian border crossings points since 12/09/2023 show a small number of cases, mostly of transit through the country, of cars with Russian registration.

The detailed instructions, the application of which begins immediately, are published on the website of the National Customs Agency in the ‘ EU Restrictive Measures’ section (in Bulgarian).

*The ban is in connection with Art. 3i of Council Regulation (EU) No. 833/2014 of 31 July 2014 regarding restrictive measures in view of Russia's actions destabilizing the situation in Ukraine and the redacting of 09/12/2023 of the additional guidelines of the European Commission on the implementation of the measures.