A guide to the export and import of cultural goods between Russia ...

Bulgaria
Chapter 3: European Union Member States
Note that national regulations apply in Bulgaria to contemporary art work – check whether
you need a document of non-movable cultural goods.
I am a musician. Do I need to know about export regulations if I am travelling with my instrument?
Yes. Any musician who wishes to travel outside the European Union with a musical
instrument which is over a certain age and value must obtain an EU export licence (as
described in Chapter 2). This applies whether the export is temporary, e.g. for a concert
tour, or permanent.
I am a tourist visiting Bulgaria. If I buy a work of art, how do I take it home with me?
EU legislation on the export of cultural goods requires an export licence for cultural
goods of a certain age and value when they are exported from Bulgaria to Russia. You
must also go through the procedure under Bulgarian national legislation for permission
to export.
If you have bought the art work, antique, furniture or other cultural goods from a reputable
art or antique dealer, ask their advice and they may be able to apply for the export licence
on your behalf.
Since the application process can take around two weeks, you should note that the goods
must remain in Bulgaria until the licence has been granted.
Is there a fee for an export licence?
No – there is no fee for the licence, but there is a charge for the expert assessment.
Does the cultural object need to be valued? If so, who will do this?
The status of the object under Bulgarian national legislation is defi ned through an
obligatory expert evaluation. This is set out in the Regulation on expert assessment.
The evaluation is made by an authorised museum institution who will decide whether
the cultural object is of national signifi cance – this affects whether it can be exported
permanently or only on a temporary licence. As the exporter, you must pay for the
expert valuation.
Can I appeal against the valuation? How do I do that?
As exporter, you can appeal against the expert assessment.
If an export licence is refused for any other reasons, can I appeal?
You can appeal against a refusal of permission to export, as stipulated in the Law on the
Supreme Administrative Court.
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