In order to be able to execute bulk operations you need to certain level of privilege both on the database (table) you are performing the operation against and the instance you are performing the operation on.

If you don't have the necessary permissions you will get an error similar to the following:
Msg 4834, Level 16, State 4, Line 5
You do not have permission to use the bulk load statement.

This is what one of my users got earlier today when trying to perform a BULK INSERT. To be able to do this successfully they will need the ability (permission) to INSERT records into the table in question.

In our case the following script will do the trick:

USE orderdemo
go
GRANT INSERT ON dbo.orders_BULK  TO bulktest
go

They will also need Administer Bulk Operations permission, you can give that permission by executing the following, this is a server level permission:

USE master
go 
GRANT ADMINISTER BULK OPERATIONS TO  bulktest

The user will need ALTER table permissions in certain circumstances.

This information is available in BOL but I came across the need to give this permission today and I thought I would share it.