site.btaCustoms Agents Seize 461 Electric Bikes Worth BGN 450,000-Plus

After two customs inspections in the area of the E-79 road, 461 electric bicycles with a total value of more than BGN 450,000 leva have been seized, the National Customs Agency press service reported on Monday. The checks were carried out between May 10 and June 30.

The operation aimed to fight against smuggling of goods and customs fraud affecting the financial interests of the EU and VAT evasion in particular. It was carried out following a systematic risk analysis of Chinese cargo entering the territory of Bulgaria for which customs formalities were carried out in Greece.

As part of the operation, a heavy-duty truck with a Polish driver and registration travelling from Greece to Poland was checked. The check found 252 electric bicycles in the loading compartment of the vehicle. They had not been declared to the Greek customs authorities.

About a month later customs officers stopped for inspection a heavy-duty truck with Bulgarian registration near Kresna, Southwestern Bulgaria. The vehicle was carrying 209 electric bicycles from Greece to Spain, which had been declared as bicycle parts when they were brought into Greece. Bicycle parts are taxed at significantly lower rates compared to fully assembled bikes.

Administrative proceedings have been initiated in the cases.

The checks carried out are part of the compensatory measures taken by the National Customs Agency in connection with the abolition of border controls at EU internal borders following Bulgaria's accession as a full member of the Schengen area.

As the use of electric bicycles increases, so do reports of incidents caused by poor-quality items, most often involving products made outside the EU. Consumers should be aware that smuggled products manufactured in third countries are not accompanied by the relevant quality and safety certificates and carry risks of defects during their use, the National Customs Agency warned.