Shipping to Bulgaria from the USA is open with both USPS and UPS in 2026: USPS has no service suspension for Bulgaria and accepts Priority Mail International parcels up to 70 pounds and Priority Mail Express International up to 66 pounds, delivered nationwide. Every parcel containing goods owes Bulgarian VAT, because the EU ended the low-value VAT exemption on July 1, 2021, and First-Class Package International Service can’t carry dutiable items at all.
This guide covers which services run the lane, how long they take, how Bulgaria taxes imports now that it uses the euro, what you can’t send, and what to put on the customs form. To price your box, compare live USPS and UPS rates to Bulgaria in the ParcelPath rate calculator.
Which carriers ship from the US to Bulgaria?
USPS’s International Mail Manual listing for Bulgaria shows Priority Mail Express International, Priority Mail International and First-Class Package International Service as available, and the USPS International Service Alerts page (updated October 2, 2026) lists no restriction on Bulgaria. Global Express Guaranteed has been suspended since September 29, 2024. Bulgarian Posts handles final delivery of USPS parcels.
UPS serves Bulgaria with its Worldwide services and clears customs as part of the shipment, which suits business orders, heavier boxes and anything with a deadline. Because Bulgaria is in the EU, a UPS shipment can also be set up so the sender pays duties and taxes, sparing the recipient a bill at the door.
| Service | Expected delivery | Max weight to Bulgaria | Best for |
|---|---|---|---|
| UPS Worldwide Express / Worldwide Saver | Fastest option; day-definite | Per UPS package limits | Business orders and urgent parcels |
| UPS Worldwide Expedited | Slower than Express, still day-definite | Per UPS package limits | Heavier boxes that need tracking |
| USPS Priority Mail Express International | 3 to 5 business days to many major markets | 66 lb; Flat Rate Envelope 4 lb | Urgent documents and gifts |
| USPS Priority Mail International | 6 to 10 business days | 70 lb; Medium and Large Flat Rate Boxes 20 lb | Gifts and family parcels |
| USPS First-Class Package International Service | Varies by destination | 4 lb | Documents and non-dutiable items only |
The First-Class restriction catches many senders. Bulgaria doesn’t accept dutiable articles in First-Class Mail International or First-Class Package International Service, so a small gift or an online order should go by Priority Mail International or UPS even when it weighs under 4 pounds. Our guide to the cheapest way to ship a package explains how to pick the lowest-cost service that still fits the rules.
How long does shipping to Bulgaria take?
USPS lists Priority Mail International at 6 to 10 business days and Priority Mail Express International at 3 to 5 business days for many major markets. Parcels to Sofia, Plovdiv and Varna usually arrive faster than those bound for mountain villages, and EU customs clearance in Sofia is the main source of delay.
- Customs holds happen when the declaration lacks an item’s country of origin or the recipient’s phone and email.
- Peak season, from mid-November through early January, adds days to every service.
- UPS shipments carry a delivery commitment and are tracked through clearance, so choose UPS when a date matters.
What duties and VAT apply to packages to Bulgaria?
Bulgaria is in the EU Customs Union, so goods from the US are taxed under EU rules. VAT applies to every commercial import regardless of value: the IMM notes that the VAT exemption on all imported goods was abolished on July 1, 2021. Customs duty under the EU Common Customs Tariff has historically been waived for consignments valued at €150 or less, while the US International Trade Administration reports duty rates of 4% to 45% for goods from outside the EU above that.
Two 2026 changes affect Bulgaria. The country adopted the euro on January 1, 2026, so customs values, VAT and duty are now assessed in euros instead of leva. And the EU agreed in December 2025 to start charging a fixed customs duty on low-value parcels from July 1, 2026, ending the €150 duty-free treatment for e-commerce items. Expect the recipient to pay VAT, and possibly duty, on almost every parcel of goods unless the sender prepays through a delivered-duty-paid service.
Genuine gifts between private individuals get more favorable VAT treatment than purchases, so mark gifts as gifts, but keep the value honest. Bulgaria also requires an import license for all commercial shipments and for gift shipments whose duty exceeds 100 leva, a figure the IMM still lists in the old currency.
What can’t you ship to Bulgaria?
The USPS list of items prohibited in mail to Bulgaria is longer than most EU countries’ lists:
- Used clothing, footwear and bed coverings, a rule that rules out many care packages of hand-me-downs.
- Food in hermetically sealed containers unless the contents are visible, such as clear jars.
- Merchandise samples and gift shipments mailed by commercial firms.
- “Musical” greeting cards that play a recording when opened.
- Printed matter, photos, films and recordings, except single copies for the addressee’s personal use.
- Arms, ammunition, hazardous materials, narcotics and radioactive materials, plus Bulgarian currency without Ministry of Finance approval.
Coins, banknotes, jewelry and other valuables can’t go in uninsured parcels, and medicines must be approved by the Bulgarian Ministry of Health. If you’re sending homemade food, read our guide to shipping perishables and food, and our guide to how to ship frozen food explains why most frozen items can’t make a 6 to 10-day international trip.
What should go on the customs form for Bulgaria?
Bulgaria asks senders to include three things on the customs declaration for any item containing goods: the country of origin of each article, the EORI number if the recipient business has one, and the addressee’s telephone number (preferably mobile) and email address. Add a specific description and true value for each item, and the six-digit HS code for commercial goods, which USPS has required on customs data since September 1, 2025.
Write the address in Latin characters, with the street and number, apartment or entrance details, four-digit postal code and city, and “BULGARIA” as the last line. Adding the address in Cyrillic below the Latin version can help local delivery.
How do you save on shipping to Bulgaria?
Weight and box size drive international postage, so pack tightly in the smallest sturdy box that fits, and consider a Flat Rate box for small, heavy items. Our guide on how to ship for less covers packing and service choices that cut costs, and the shipping calculator guide explains how carriers price international parcels by weight, size and service.
Through ParcelPath, you can buy USPS labels at up to 89% off and UPS labels at up to 85% off, with no subscription, per-label fee, minimum or contract. ParcelPath issues USPS and UPS labels only, schedules free USPS pickups and offers Shipsurance coverage. For a wider look at carriers, see our roundup of the best shipping services and solutions, or browse more countries in the guide to shipping to Europe, including the UK and Ukraine.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the best way to ship a package to Bulgaria from the USA?
For gifts and personal parcels, USPS Priority Mail International is the usual choice for shipping to Bulgaria: it takes up to 70 pounds and typically arrives in 6 to 10 business days. First-Class Package International Service can’t carry dutiable goods to Bulgaria, so use it only for documents. Choose UPS for business orders, deadlines or prepaid duties.
How long does shipping to Bulgaria take?
Shipping to Bulgaria takes about 6 to 10 business days with USPS Priority Mail International and around 3 to 5 business days with Priority Mail Express International, which serves the whole country. UPS Worldwide services are faster and day-definite. EU customs clearance in Sofia and the December peak are the most common causes of extra days.
Do you pay VAT on packages to Bulgaria?
Yes, almost always. The EU abolished the low-value VAT exemption on July 1, 2021, so imported goods of any value owe Bulgarian VAT, normally paid by the recipient before delivery. Customs duty has applied above €150, and the EU agreed to add a fixed duty on low-value parcels from July 1, 2026. Genuine gifts between individuals get more favorable treatment.
Can you send used clothes to Bulgaria by mail?
No. The USPS International Mail Manual lists used clothing, footwear and bed coverings as prohibited in mail to Bulgaria, along with merchandise samples, musical greeting cards and food in sealed containers whose contents aren’t visible. New clothing is allowed, but declare each item’s value and country of origin, and include the recipient’s phone number and email on the form.
Sources
- USPS International Mail Manual: Bulgaria country listing
- USPS International Service Alerts
- USPS: International Mail and Shipping Services
- US International Trade Administration: Bulgaria Import Tariffs
- UPS: Calculate Time and Cost
- Council of the EU press release, December 12, 2025: fixed customs duty on small parcels arriving in the EU from July 1, 2026 (consilium.europa.eu)
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Part of our Europe guide. Related: all Europe destinations, Ukraine, UK.
