Parliament Passes Conclusively Revisions to Customs Act

Sofia, July 23 (BTA) - Parliament passed conclusively revisions to the Customs Act on Thursday. These include the establishment of an inspectorate to control the customs administration directly subordinate to the Customs Agency director.

Another amendment provides that customs officers are obliged to declare their property status and that of their family including underage children within two weeks following their appointment, every year by May 31 and upon leaving their jobs.

The amendments will also require customs officers to have passed a professional and psychological fitness test when taking a job or being promoted. The testing procedure will be determined by the Minister of Finance.

Where the need arises, a customs officer may temporarily be detailed to another identical or different job in the customs administration. This will be done by an order of the director of the Customs Agency for a period not exceeding six months in one calendar year. The written agreement of the relevant customs officer will be required if the period is longer.

Customs authorities will engage in investigations to prevent, reveal and record crimes against the customs regime, as well as such related to trade with excise duty goods, illegal import or export of valuables or the failure to declare such, among others.

Customs authorities may convoy persons they have detained and the subjects of 72-hour arrest according to the Code of Criminal Procedure on the territory of the country.