Thinking of moving to Bulgaria and bringing my 15ton excavator and hgv

@Saphron Sailing

Anything's possible but there are a number of rules to follow.  First you'll need to get the correct visa. Then you'll need to pay import duty (unless the machinery was manufactured in the UK) - either way you'll get stung for 20% VAT on importation,  Then the machinery will need to be registered, and tested on arrival and yearly thereafter.

You'll need to set up a company: there are bunch of hoops to jump through to ensure that you're going for the one that fits your intentions - I'd recommend hiring a lawyer to ensure that you don't go down a rabbit hole that you might regret. You can't just rock up and start work without getting all your ducks in a row first..

Post-Brexit, everything has changed and will be more expensive. If you are moving your residence to Bulgaria, you may be able to import your machinery and vehicle without paying VAT or customs duty, provided you have owned them for over 6 months and they are for personal/commercial use at your new location. I would speak with a logistics firm that specialises in moving heavy equipment between the UK and Bulgaria. They may help you with the customs aspect.

Have a read of this as well > https://www.gov.uk/guidance/vehicle-doc … ad-haulage

@JimJ

What if I use machine on my own property to renovate it then sell it ?

@Saphron Sailing

You're now moving well beyond my limited knowledge of such things, I fear. I can only reiterate that you should talk to a lawyer and/or an accountant before you shoot yourself in the foot, especially when talking about commercial vehicles.

@Saphron Sailing
You're now moving well beyond my limited knowledge of such things, I fear. I can only reiterate that you should talk to a lawyer and/or an accountant before you shoot yourself in the foot, especially when talking about commercial vehicles. - @JimJ

The same rules will apply, but you would be crazy to ship machinery over from the UK just to do a job. It would be cheaper and less paperwork to hire the machines in the EU.

This is starting to get a bit silly. You really do need to get professional advice for every aspect of the importation and use of an HGV and heavy machinery. You'll be dealing with a combination of KAT and KTI. There is a jungle of legislation covering VAT, CPC, tachograph/speed limiter recalibration etc. You also can't buy an annual vignette for an HGV, so you'll need an OBU. If you don't have all your paperwork in order, you'll get slapped with heavy fines by the Traffic Police - and you'll stick out like a sore thumb in an RHD truck, so you WILL get regularly pulled over.

You may well also find that you'll be asked for an education certificate when exchanging your HGV licence. They dropped that requirement for car licences (luckily for many) but I believe it's still in force for truckers.

The biggest issue probably isn't moving the vehicles, making them legal in Bulgaria, and whether or not VAT and import duty will or won't be payable, it's going to be getting residency in Bulgaria. Unless you're an EU citizen, you need to look at the D visa requirements. You can't just rock up with your equipment, start a company, and stay there (well, unless your company employs at least ten Bulgarians full-time).

Begin from how YOU get to stay there legally, then think about the vehicles.

It's not impossible to do what you want to do, but there are some rather big challenges to consider and you are almost certainly going to need to pay for some expert advice..

@Saphron Sailing

Bringing a 15t excavator and HGV to Bulgaria is a very different project from a normal relocation.

Before moving the machines, I would check:

- import / customs status of both vehicles

- road registration and insurance requirements

- whether the HGV can be used commercially in Bulgaria

- transport route and border documentation

- where the excavator will be stored

- whether you already have confirmed work, land or renovation projects

- local accountant / legal support before you move the equipment

The biggest mistake would be to bring the machines first and solve the paperwork later.

If your plan is connected to property development, renovation or land work, it makes sense to speak with someone locally before moving the equipment.

I work with foreign owners and property-related projects in Bulgaria, so I can point you in the right direction if needed.

@Saphron Sailing

hi, I brought over a 2.5 ton digger and trailer from uk with my landrover but that was before Brexit….now as people say this will be a customs issue that you would need to resolve. There are a few cos already doing heavy digging works dotted about the country plus you can hire a digger and driver for the day for a few hundred euros. Your digger is massive and would be more for road etc building…I expect such cos local councils have access to heavy plant already I know ours does !

If you are still planning coming with the machine etc.. then you will need to use someone that knows the ropes before booking to come over, it will save you lots of grief in the end!