site.btaCustoms Agency's Information Systems Fully Ready for Euro Introduction

The preparation and adaptation of all information systems of the Customs Agency requiring changes in connection with the introduction of the euro as Bulgaria's official currency from January 1, 2026 have been completed, the agency said on Monday.

From October 1, updated versions of several core modules of the Bulgarian Customs Information System have been put into operation, including those for authorizations, requests, reimbursements and post-clearance control. A new module for requests under the Excise Duties and Tax Warehouses Act was also integrated on the same date, developed within a project to adapt customs systems for the introduction of the euro, the agency said.

Economic operators will not see any changes regarding the submission of customs declarations. They will continue to be completed and submitted in accordance with the technical specifications and rules published on the Agency's E-Portal. The current information system supports all currencies for which the Bulgarian National Bank publishes exchange rates, including the BGN/EUR fixed rate.

In total, more than 20 information systems of the Customs Agency have undergone partial or complete modifications as part of the preparations for the introduction of the euro.

More than 95% of all processes administered by the Customs Agency are fully electronic, with all customs declarations, as well as the main customs and excise procedures, carried out entirely in an electronic environment.

More than 47% of import declarations for goods (by number and by value), as well as 24% of export declarations accounting for a total of 55.5% of the total value of exports to third countries submitted to the Customs Agency over the past year and a half, have been denominated in euro, the Customs information systems show.

"The data clearly indicate that the euro is already actively used by Bulgarian businesses, even in trade with third countries, and its introduction will facilitate operations in the real economy," commented  Customs Agency Deputy Director Georgi Alexandrov.

The changes will ensure a smooth transition to the euro and the stable functioning of all customs and excise processes.

From January 1, the date when the euro is introduced in Bulgaria as the official legal tender, all excise duties collected by the Customs Agency will be payable only in euro by bank transfer. In January, when both the lev and the euro will be in circulation, cash payments of public liabilities will still be allowed in lev where cash payment is permitted.