A FEW WORDS ABOUT IMPORTS FROM THIRD COUNTRIES
The EU supports businesses wanting to import into the EU by providing clear facts on the rules and requirements.
Within the European Union (EU) most goods are in free circulation. Importing goods from the EU is often referred to as a movement of goods, or as an acquisition. The term ‘importing’ typically means that the goods have come from outside the EU.
For any import, the customs operations are defined by the applicable customs legislation. We can assist you with all formalities to ensure a successful import.
The customs operations also consist of the applicable rules for trading of goods which are subject to the Special Consumption Tax (SCT) as well as the rules for payment of such SCT and the applicable registration Fee.
We can assist you to obtain an Economic Operators Registration and Identification number (EORI number) as an EU importer. Businesses and people wishing to trade must use the EORI number as an identification number in all customs procedures when exchanging information with Customs administrations.
Imports of certain sensitive goods or imports of certain goods from specific countries may be prohibited, restricted, subject to license or notification.
The main types of products subject to import restrictions are:
- agricultural products
- pharmaceutical products
- chemical products
- iron and steel products
- cultural goods
- textiles and clothing
- arms
- counterfeit goods or pirated goods
- indecent articles / posts / videos
- endangered species
- waste
- certain live animals and products containing animal substances
- plants and products containing plant substances
Import duties
Import duties may have to be paid on your products upon their entry into the EU. The EU is also a customs union which means that a single import duty is must be paid at the entry point (e.g., Bulgaria) where the import declaration is lodged, regardless which is the country member. The products can then be placed on the EU market without further customs formalities.
The payment of the duties depends on the agreement between the parties, however, usually the importer is liable for paying them.