Ship Car To Sofia

Car Shipping Sofia

Sofia, the 15th largest city in the EU and the capital of Bulgaria, is strategically located on the Balkan Peninsula. Located in between the Adriatic Sea and the Black Sea, it is a major port city and hub of trade and commerce.

Things to be considered before relocating

As Bulgaria is a part of the European Union, the import laws remain the same. There are stringent emission standards and technical details that all imported vehicles have to adhere to. Some of the essential requirements include:

• Follow all import regulations as per Bulgaria's Customs Department.
• Pay VAT.
• Buy Bulgarian insurance on the vehicle.
• Clear the emission and roadworthiness tests.
• Locally register your vehicle in Sofia.

Although most of the import rules are the same all over European Union, there are many specific regulations applicable by the Bulgarian government. When you work with A1 Auto Transport service, we can walk you through them before the vehicle is shifted.

Cost & Time Examples For Delivery

• Shipping a car from the U.S. to Sofia costs $1,200–$3,500 total; RoRo is cheaper, while container shipping adds protection for higher-value vehicles.
• Total transit to Sofia typically runs 3–6 weeks, combining 2–4 weeks of ocean freight with additional days for inland trucking and Bulgarian customs clearance.
• Bulgaria applies ~10% import duty plus 20% VAT on U.S.-origin vehicles; FMCSA export compliance and Bulgarian customs documentation are required at both ports.

*Prices and times are estimated. They can vary depending on the season and the type of vehicle.

*Save on ground transport costs by delivering the vehicle to the nearest port.

*Allow an additional 10 days to process the documents.

*Prices are for 1 car in a dedicated 20ft container. This is the safest and most reliable way to transport a vehicle internationally. Other items may be included in the container to help save you money when moving.

*Using the RoRo (roll on, roll off) method is less expensive and shipments can be completed in fewer days. Contact us now for a free RoRo quote.

Custom regulations

All vehicles that are imported to Sofia or any other city in Bulgaria can only be imported on a temporary basis. As an owner you will have to pay a surety or ‘guarantee’ which is a levy that has to be cleared before the vehicle is cleared by the Bulgarian Customs department. Your vehicle’s year of manufacture, brand of the vehicle, engine power and registration will play a role in determining the total custom duty that is payable. In vase you need to import the vehicle for longer than 1 year, you will need to renew the registration every year as long as you keep the car in Sofia.

Legal documentation

You can work with our service to get the documentation in order and submitted at the domestic US port and at the Bulgarian port when the vehicle arrives. The paperwork includes:

• Car title deed.
• Insurance on the vehicle.
• Bill of Lading.
• Valid work permit.
• Residency visa.
• Bulgarian driving license.
• Proof of insurance.

Import duties and taxes

Apart from the documentation that is needed, you need to know about the taxes that are applicable. These will vary depending upon the year of manufacture of the vehicle model, engine capacity, and vehicle roadworthiness. There are no taxes applicable if the car is imported from an EU country but when you import it from USA, all taxes are applicable. This includes a tax upwards of 17% based on the current resale value of the vehicle. Additionally there is a VAT duty of 20% implemented by the Bulgarian government. This is calculated by considering the value of the vehicle, insurance and shipping costs. Other excise taxes can be added depending upon the inspection by the Bulgarian custom officials. However, diplomats are allowed to bring in one vehicle duty free after they enter the country.