Procurement and sourcing from Italy: furniture, food & fashion

Purchasing products or services seems easy, but this is not always the case. How do you know that you have the best deal, especially if you haven’t done much business before in Italy?

It already helps if you have a structured approach for your procurement and to keep your options open. Working with a local consultant or agency may help to identify more potential suppliers and to get the products that you just bought accross the border to their destination.

Find the right suppliers in Italy

Italy, located in Southern Europe, exports a wide array of products that showcase its rich cultural heritage and industrial prowess. The country is renowned for exporting fashion and luxury goods, including high-end clothing, shoes, and accessories, which are admired globally for their quality and design. Italy also exports high-quality food products such as wine, pasta, olive oil, and cheese, reflecting its strong agricultural traditions.

Wages in Italy vary by sector and region. Generally, wages are moderate compared to some other Western European countries. The cost of living in cities like Rome and Milan can be higher, affecting disposable income levels.

Italy is also known for its advanced manufacturing sectors, particularly in automotive and machinery industries. The country produces and exports machinery, equipment, and vehicles known for their innovation and craftsmanship. Additionally, Italy has a strong presence in design and architecture, exporting furniture, lighting, and home décor products that blend style with functionality.

Shipping your products

If you purchase tangible products, you have to ship them out of the country. Depending on the country where you want these goods, this may have implications.

First of all you may have to pay import duties or settle VAT. There are certain thresholds for both of these charges, e.g. while importing in the EU you don’t have to pay import duties on any shipment worth less than € 150.

There may also be non-financial barriers, like certifications or approvals to be obtained. Especially for food, cosmetics or medicine this may be the case. Check this in advance, even before you invest in your marketing.

VAlidate the HS-codes you use for shipping

Almost every country or trade block in the world has its own detailing on the international HS-code list. With our report you strongly reduce the risk on misclassifications, delays and higher custom duties than expected.

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A structured sourcing approach in Italy

Step 1

Supplier search

Try to identify in total 6 to 10 possible suppliers and check their websites. Approach them with a general request to see whether they have the products or services you need.

Step 2

Supplier selection

Submit your requirements to a group of three to five selected suppliers and ensure you get the right comparable quotations to make a choice. Negotiate with one or two of them to get the best result.

Step 3

Supplier management

Now start collaborating, making sure you have an efficient ordering process and limited risks where it comes to quality control and shipping the products.