WORLD TRADE
ORGANIZATIONG/LIC/N/3/BGR/2
14 June 2002
(02-3313)
Committee on Import Licensing Original:  English
REPLIES TO QUESTIONNAIRE ON IMPORT LICENSING PROCEDURES1
Notification under Article 7.3 of the
Agreement on Import Licensing Procedures
BULGARIA
The following notification, dated 8 May 2002, has been received from the Permanent Mission
of the Republic of Bulgaria.
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Outline of system
1. The importation of certain products into Bulgaria is subject to automatic or non-automatic
import licensing.
Automatic import licensing is applied for monitoring purposes on the importation of several
products. The automatic licence is granted in all cases and within one day.
Non-automatic licences are required for the importation of some products with a view to
protect human, animal and plant health and life; to monitor trade in arms and munitions; and to fulfill
the obligations of Bulgaria pursuant to  international treaties. The licence is granted within five days
after the submission of the application to the respective administrative body which is in charge of
issuing of a licence.
Import licensing procedures are administered by a limited number of administrative  bodies
and are not related to quantity.
Purposes and coverage of licensing
2. See the list of products subject to import licensing in Annex I.
3. The system applies to imports of goods originating in and coming from all countries.
4. The licensing is not intended to restrict the quantity or value of imports. The importation of
certain products into Bulgaria is subject to licen sing in compliance with international commitments
undertaken by Bulgaria, when Bulgarian legislation requires such a regime for sanitary, national
security or other considerations pursuant to GATT 1994 Articles XX and XXI or for monitoring
purposes.
                                                     
1 See G/LIC/3, Annex, for the Questionnaire.G/LIC/N/3/BGR/2
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5. The licensing system is maintained under Regulation of the Council of Ministers No. 233 of 8
November 2000 on the foreign trade regime of Bulgaria, published in the State Gazette No.93 of 2000
and the amendments to that Regulation, published in the State Gazette No. 58 of 2001 and No. 112 of
2001. The list of products subject to import licensing and the administrative bodies responsible for the
administration of the import licensing procedures are determined by the Council of Ministers and aregiven in the relevant annexes to Regulation of the Council of Ministers No. 233 / 2000.
Procedures
6. Not applicable.7.(a) The application for a licence must be made prior to importation.(b) Licences can be granted immediately upon request.(c) No limitations.
(d) In all cases the consideration of licence applications is effected by a single administrative
body, which is competent to issue a licence according to the type of the imported goods.
8. If a non-automatic licence application is refused the applicant shall on request be given the
reason therefor.
The applicants have the right of appeal, in the event of refusal to issue a licence, under the
general
 terms and conditions laid down in the Law on Administrative Procedure.
Eligibility of importers to apply for licence
9. Any natural person or legal entity registered in  accordance with the Trade Law is eligible to
apply for a licence in writing.
Documentational and other requirements for application for licence
10. Information required on application:
- the name and address of the seller;
- the name and address of the buyer;
- the name and address of the end user;
- contract number;
- description of the goods, HS code, unit, quantity, unit price, value in foreign and
national currency;
- country of origin;
- country of destination;
- terms of delivery;
- date of delivery;
- terms of payment;- date of payment;
- exchange rate.
Importers are required to supply with the application the following documents:
For automatic licensing :  commercial and tax registration certificates, unified identity code
(code under BULSTAT), and documents necessary to certify the data in the import licensingG/LIC/N/3/BGR/2
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application form, such as commercial contract, proforma invoice, quality certificate etc. In some
cases, where it is defined by law to have a licence for trade or production of certain products, this
licence is also required. On the importation of polycarbonates a contract with the end-user is required.
On the importation of matrices for the production of compact discs a registration of the rights for
reproduction and distribution is required.
For non-automatic licensing:   the same documents are required. In some cases, defined by a
regulation of the respective administrative body, which is competent to issue the licence, documents
certifying the fulfillment of the conditions under which the transaction is allowed may be also be
required.
11. Upon actual importation the importer has to pres ent to the customs’ authorities the following
documents: pro forma invoice, transport documents, specifications, customs declaration, certificate of
origin, import licence and any other documents as deemed necessary.
12. There is a licensing fee necessary to cover the administrative expenses for processing of
documents.
13. No deposit or advance payment is required in connection with the issue of licences.Conditions of licensing
14. The period of validity of automatic and non-automatic import licences is up to three months
from the date of issuance. The validity can be extended upon request.
15. There is no penalty for the non-utilization of a licence or a portion of it.
16. Licences are not transferable between importers.
17. None.18. There are no other administrative procedures required prior to importation apart from
veterinary, phytosanitary and quality regulations.
19. The foreign exchange necessary to pay for licensed imports are made available to licence
holders on the same basis as to importers of goods not requiring import licences.G/LIC/N/3/BGR/2
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ANNEX I
AUTOMATIC IMPORT LICENSING
Bulgarian Customs
 Tariff No.Description of products
1 390740000 Polycarbonates
2 ex 8524 Stamper (matrice) for production of compact discs
3 ex 2208
330210100,
210690200Strong alcoholic beverages imported in voluminous containers,
ethyl alcohol of an alcoholic strength of less than 80 % vol. and
compound alcoholic preparations of the kind used for the
production of beveragesG/LIC/N/3/BGR/2
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NON-AUTOMATIC LICENSING
Bulgarian Customs
Tariff No.Description of products
1 Nuclear materials, radioactive substances and other sources of
ionizing radiation
2 2524, ex. 6811,
6812, ex 6813Asbestos, asbestos products and asbestos containing materials and
products
3 ex. 490700,
ex. 4911Polygraphic production for public supply, which can be used as
securities
4 from Chapter 36,
ex.290420001Powder, explosive and pyrotechnical materials and products thereof
of civil application
Trinitrotoluole (TNT)
5 ex. 9013
ex 930400000Telescopic sights and laser targets, gas spray
6 ex. 9303,
930400000,9305, 9306
ex. 95069990Hunting and sporting arms, gas and signal pistols and revolvers and
ammunitions for them
7 Medicaments for humane medicine
8 from Chapter 28
from Chapter 29
ex 3808Products for plant protection
9 Veterinary-medical products
10 Live game and its genetic material
11 Endangered species of wild flora and fauna covered by the
Washington Convention on international trade in endangered species
of wild flora and fauna
12 Species alien to the fauna and flora of Bulgaria designated for
reproduction and breeding
13 Military and special production and products and technologies of
possible dual (civil and military) use
14 Narcotic and psychotropic substances
15 Chemical substances under control used for the production of
narcotic and psychotropic substances
16 Goods the importation of which is regulated by intergovernmental
agreements and protocols and generates budget expenditure
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