When I was going to get my tax refund from the office in Sofia airport they said we don't pay in CASH HERE because there is no money, and to ask in my home country about the refund.This is ridiculous so don't shop expensive goods specially electronics, IT. Many of the shops will tell you that they have tax refund but they are not. Myself I prefer to shop directly at the duty free airports. Here below is everything you have to know about tax free shopping in Bulgaria.Go with caution when you shop clothes, when you take TAXI watch the tariff, even what you eat, drink and please exchange currency ONLY inside of some bank!. If you need a doctor that will start with a price of 150 euros per visit. I advice you to avoid going to every Dental office cause it will cost you double and more dental compilations.

According to a report of the European Commission Bulgaria is the forth biggest source of fake goods seized in EU.Fake and cheap designer clothes are not good copy's and are Turkish rubbish also Chinese all around Bulgaria.
The quality of copy's is very poor and more expensive than originals brands.The sizes are all quite different then European and in the western countries so look very well and try before you decide to buy.Tax free shopping not work for every shop in Bulgaria.

Bulgarian Customs Seize Fake Apparel

On July 1, 2016, Bulgarian customs officials at the Kapitan Andreevo border crossing point, southern Bulgaria, discovered and seized 1,787 textile products, most of which T-shirts, bearing the fake Adidas, Puma and Nike marks.
The officials also seized a smaller number of sportswear items bearing the logos of various well-known football clubs, children’s clothing items bearing the fake Armani marks, 252 ladies’ handbags bearing the Michael Kors, Guess and Philipp Plein logos and 40 sneakers bearing the fake Converse All Star mark.

The goods were seized during an inspection of a truck with Bulgarian license plates arriving from Turkey.
Prepared by: Julia Taneva
For more information, please contact [email protected].
Source: Bulgarian Customs website

Tax Free Shopping in Bulgaria

VAT IN BULGARIA
The VAT in Bulgaria is 20%.
There is a reduced rate of 9% for hotel services.
Shop tax free while in Bulgaria and claim back your VAT on goods purchased from stores with the Tax Free Bulgaria logo.
As a non-EU resident you are entitled to reclaim your VAT on items purchased in Bulgaria and taken home with you.

HOW TO SHOP TAX FREE IN BULGARIA

To ensure you reclaim your VAT successfully
Shop tax free wherever you see the Tax Free Bulgaria logo.
Minimum spend: 250 lv
Purchase items for a minimum of 250 lv/125 euro in the same store. Purchases don’t have to be made on the same day, but must be listed on the same invoice. Stores can issue a joint invoice for purchases made in the course of several days, but no later than 3-4 days after the day of the first purchase.

The minimum amount of VAT to be reclaimed per each invoice is 50 lv/ 25 euro.
Ask for your VAT Refund Form at the time of purchase, get the store to sign it and attach the original purchase receipt/invoice.
Upon leaving Bulgaria ensure you get your VAT Refund Form stamped by Customs. If you are traveling to another EU country you can have the form stamped by customs upon exiting the EU.

If flying out of the country have the purchased items in your hand luggage in case the customs officer requests to inspect them.
For larger items that have to be checked in, notify the check-in clerk, who will call a customs officer.
Contact a tax free agent to receive your VAT back in cash or via a bank transfer.

TAX FREE OFFICES IN BULGARIA

Sofia Airport Terminal 2 departures, before border control.
+359 2 937 33 27
Sofia Airport Terminal 1, after border control.
Varna airport Foreign Exchange Bureau “4X Change”
Burgas airport Foreign Exchange Bureau “4X Change”
A mail box is available at all land borders between Bulgaria and non-EU countries to be used after hours.
Put your bank account and contact information on the form to receive the VAT refund via a bank transfer.

A FEW EXTRA THINGS TO HAVE IN MIND
There are a few more requirements that have to be met before you can claim your VAT back
The goods must be exported in their original form and without any modifications
You have to leave Bulgaria/the EU no later than 3 months from the date of purchase
Claim your VAT no later than 6 months from the date of purchase
The following goods are not eligible for a VAT refund
Alcoholic drinks
Tobacco and tobacco products
Liquid fuels
Goods with prices fixed by ministerial regulation.
If you are citizen of a non European country (not in European Union), you can refund the Bulgarian VAT when leaving Bulgaria.
To refund the amount of VAT incurred, when leaving Bulgaria (or the European Union), here's what to do:
1. You must show to the customs officer the purchased items (it is recommended to carry those items in Your hand luggage or to notify the employee at the check – in desk that you have Tax Free items in your suitcase, in order to call the customs officers)
2. You must have Your Application Form and original Invoice signed and stamped by the customs officer.
3. You have to find our points of VAT refund or our mailboxes.

Points of VAT cash refund:
- E&S Tax Services (office) - 11 A, Slavyanska str., Sofia
-Cash Bureau of E&S Tax Services at Sofia Airport Terminal 2, before Border Control
-Foreign exchange “4X” Varna Airport,
-Foreign exchange“4X” Burgas Airport,
-Foreign exchange“4X” Bansko (from December to April),
-Insurance Broker “Moni” in the town of Kyustendil, 79,Tsar Osvoboditel Str.,
-Office of E&S Tax Services in Sofia, 11A Slavyanska Str.
Please submit the already certified Application Form (Copy 1 and 2) and the Invoice to any of the above bureaus and You will receive Your money in cash.
If You are leaving Bulgaria (the European Union) through a land border or our Cash Bureau is not working at the moment, please place the already certified Application Form (Copy 1 and 2) and the original Invoice in the mailbox of E&S Tax services or send them to us additionally by post to address:
E and S Watches and Jewellery Ltd
11 A, Slavyanska str., Sofia 1000, Bulgaria
and You will receive the amount of VAT refund by bank transfer.

Please do not forget to fill in at the back of the Form Your bank details and email for contact.
IMPORTANT!

If you have problems with the customs officers, cannot find the refund point or any kind of questions, complaints and requests do not hesitate to call us at the following phones:
Petya Petkova - mob. +359/889 800415,
Antoaneta Ruseva - mob. +359/886 001477,
Dimitar Grigorov- mob. +359/885 181214

http://eands-taxservices.com/homepage-2/
List of shops that offer Tax Free Shopping can be found HERE.http://eands-taxservices.com/shops-2/