Regarding NCTS Procedures and EORI Numbers at Bulgarian Border Crossings

Dear Member,
With reference to the letter sent to our Chamber by TOBB, the announcement dated 06.09.2023 made by the Directorate General of Customs of the Ministry of Trade states that the countries party to the Convention on a Common Transit Procedure are transitioning from Phase-4 to Phase-5 on the NCTS platform according to a set schedule, and that Bulgaria switched to Phase-5 on the NCTS platform on 28.08.2023.

It is reported that, with this change, checks of the EORI number (Economic Operators Registration and Identification Number) in the carrier field of transit declarations have begun, that this has caused vehicle congestion at the Bulgarian border, and that, as a result of talks held with the Bulgarian Customs Agency to reduce this congestion, the said practice has been postponed until the period in which our country switches to Phase-5 on the NCTS platform.

Accordingly, it is pointed out that, in order to avoid any problems at border crossings or in customs procedures for transport carried out under the Convention on a Common Transit Procedure, carrier companies should check whether their EORI numbers are up to date and, if not, it is important that they obtain an up-to-date EORI number without delay. In this context, the information note on EORI applications published on the e-portal of the Bulgarian Customs Agency is attached.

Attachment: Bulgarian Border Crossing

Attachment: Bulgarian Border Crossings

Kind regards,
Elazığ Chamber of Commerce and Industry