Table of Contents
1. Regulations and Policies
1.1 Trade Regulations
1.1.1 Principal Authority Governing Trade
1.1.2 Trade Regulations
1.1.3 Relevant Provisions on Trade Administration
1.1.4 Inspection and Quarantine of Imported and Exported Commodities
1.1.5 Customs Administration Rules and Regulations
1. Regulations and Policies
1.1 Trade Regulations and Policies
1.1.1 Principal Authority Governing Trade
The Ministry of Economy and Industry, the Ministry of Innovation and Growth, and the Ministry of Energy are the principal authorities overseeing the domains of economy, energy, trade, and investment within the Bulgarian government. Their primary responsibilities include: formulating policies on the economy, energy, trade, and investment; enhancing the national economy's overall competitiveness; supporting investment, innovation, and exports; promoting industrial modernization; boosting energy efficiency; developing renewable energy sources; engaging in international economic cooperation and trade; and implementing national strategies and policies across sectors including industry, commerce and privatization.
1.1.2 Trade Regulations
Bulgaria consistently adheres to a free trade policy, standing firmly against protectionism. Following its EU accession, Bulgaria fully adopted the EU Common Trade Policy, one of the collaborative policies within the European Union.
[Characteristics of the EU Common Trade Policy] The key features include: (1)It is formulated by EU institutions and promulgated in the form of regulations, which are binding on member states and community institutions. The community institutions are responsible for monitoring the implementation by member states; (2)The relevant regulations of member states must align with the common trade policy; (3) The common trade policy significantly influences the trade, competition, environmental, social, and fiscal policies of member states. The European Union does not have a dedicated foreign trade law; its foreign trade management legislation is embedded across various legal instruments, including common customs tariffs, unified import and export management, trade remedy measures, market access strategies, trade barrier regulations, and product quality standards.
The current common customs tariff of the European Union is established under Regulation (EEC) No. 2913/92 on the Establishment of the EU Customs Code, developed by the Council of Ministers of the European Union in 1992, which provides standardized regulations for the common customs tariff, rules of origin, customs valuation, and other related matters. The European Union applies an average most-favored-nation tariff rate of 6.5%, with a range from 0-209%. There are significant tariff peaks, particularly in agricultural products which have a high average tariff of 16.5%. For 4% of agricultural product tariff lines, the tariffs exceed 50%. Additionally, some agricultural products are subject to tariff quota management. The average tariff for non-agricultural products is 4.1%.
1.1.3 Relevant Provisions on Trade Administration
The EU import licensing system is primarily categorized into three types: supervision, quota management, and safeguard measures. Moreover, the EU customs use various technical requirements, including standards, sanitary and phytosanitary standards, as means of import management. The EU implements monitoring measures on certain steel products and agricultural products from third countries. 38% of agricultural product tariff lines are subject to quota protection and managed through import licensing. The EU promotes exports, facilitating free export for most products while imposing export control measures on a limited number of products. The EU's trade remedy measures predominantly consist of anti-dumping, protection against subsidized imports, safeguard measures, and specialized restrictive measures. Beginning in the mid-1980s, the European Union developed numerous technical regulations, resulting in a highly complex technical quality management system. This system is primarily classified into two categories: the industrial product safety quality management system and the agricultural product safety quality system. In the field of agricultural product safety, the laws and regulations can be categorized into three areas: plant and plant products, animal health and animal welfare, and food safety.
1.1.4 Inspection and Quarantine of Imported and Exported Commodities
Bulgaria enforces the EU's unified import and export inspection and quarantine regulations. Bulgaria has enacted the Health Law and Plant Law, providing regulations on the entry, exit, and distribution of animals and plants.
For detailed regulations, please visit the website: www.customs.bg
Bulgaria has signed agreements with China on the import and export inspection and quarantine of corn between the two countries, as well as protocols on the safety and sanitary conditions for the export of Bulgarian alfalfa, sunflower seeds, milk, and dairy products to China.
1.1.5 Customs Administration Rules and Regulations
Following its accession to the European Union, Bulgaria's customs administration adheres to the EU's unified policies and regulations. Concurrently, it is also governed by applicable Bulgarian laws and regulations, including the Administrative Code, Criminal Code, Civil Code, Value Added Tax Act, and Value Added Tax Implementation Rules. Bulgaria implements the EU's unified tariff rates.
Disclaimer：The above content is translated from Chinese version of Ministry of Commerce of the People's Republic of China. The Ministry of Commerce of the People's Republic of China version shall prevail.