Bulgarian operators face heavy penalties for breaking Bill rules

Duty-free operators in Bulgaria face steep penalties if they do not follow the requirements of the duty-free bill this year. Operators must follow the bill’s guidelines including installing an online system, which supplies sales information directly to Customs, and in-store video surveillance equipment.

Bulgarian Duty Free Association president Radostin Genov told DFNI: “Operators will face heavy penalties if they stray from the remit of the bill. For example, if an operator’s on-line system is not working or video-cameras are out of order the shop will be forced to close for one month and the operator fined 5,000 Bulgarian levas/€2,556 ($3,319). If an operator offends a second time the shop will be closed for six months and the operator fined 10,000 Bulgarian levas or €5,112 ($6,638).”

The Ministry of Finance has a three month deadline to issue regulations about the structure and function of the on-line system and operators then have a further three months to implement it. Six months after the Bill is implemented, if duty-free operators meet the bill requirements they will be granted with an unlimited licence.

For a full outline of the bill see DFNI February 15.