site.btaCustoms Agency Collects BGN 13.8 Billion in 2024, Up by 10.4% YoY

In 2024, the Customs Agency collected BGN 13.8 billion in excise duties, import VAT, customs duties and fines, up by 10.4% from 2023, the customs administration reported. The Customs Agency Monday marked International Customs Day with a ceremony honouring officers for their remarkable achievements. 

Customs Agency Director Georgi Dimov said: "The past year was full of critical moments and great successes for the customs administration." He noted that the efforts of the Customs Agency in the second half of 2024 resulted in a significant increase in revenue.

"Following the full digitization of core customs processes, which was completed in 2023, and the adoption of cloud technologies, the Customs Agency turned its focus to the latest technologies - blockchain, big data analysis, artificial intelligence and machine learning," noted Dimov. "We were part of the historic moment of Bulgaria's accession to the free-travel Schengen area by air, sea and land. We quickly adapted our procedures and demonstrated effective control mechanisms."

Customs officers celebrate International Customs Day on January 26. The global customs community observes this day in honour of the inaugural session of the Customs Cooperation Council (now the World Customs Organization, WCO), held on this date in 1953. Today, the WCO represents 186 customs administrations which collectively handle approximately 98% of global trade.

Bulgaria has been a member of the World Customs Organization since August 1, 1973.