Importing goods and customs clearance in Italy

If you want to ship your goods to Italy then you have to get them through customs and formally import them. This article describes a number of important aspects.

Please note that if you need help, there are various parties available to support you.

Shipping your products

If you sell physical products, you need to get them delivered into Italy. Depending on the country you are in, this may be a challenge.

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 bariers, 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.

Container terminal where goods are cleared through customs

Importing goods

Italy follows EU customs regulations, with local oversight by the Agenzia delle Dogane e dei Monopoli (Customs and Monopolies Agency). Importers must ensure compliance with customs duties, VAT, and product-specific requirements. For official guidance, visit the Agenzia delle Dogane – English.

General Import Process

  1. Customs Declaration
    • Submit an Import Declaration electronically through the EU’s Customs Decision System or Italy’s customs portal.
    • Key documents include a commercial invoice, packing list, bill of lading, and any necessary certificates or licenses.
  2. Import Duties and VAT
    • Duties are based on the HS code. Use the EU TARIC database (TARIC) to calculate rates.
    • VAT (Imposta sul Valore Aggiunto, IVA):
      • Standard rate: 22%.
      • Reduced rates: 10% for food and utilities; 5% for certain health and essential goods; 4% for basic food, books, and medicines.
  3. Additional Non-Financial Requirements
    • Compliance with EU and Italian standards may be required for specific products like electronics, textiles, and agricultural items.
    • For detailed non-financial requirements, consult the Access2Markets Portal.
  4. Inspection and Clearance
    • Customs may inspect goods. Processing time is typically 1-3 business days for complete submissions.
  5. Release of Goods
    • Cleared goods are free for transport within Italy or other EU member states.

Service Providers for Assistance

  1. Savino Del Bene – savino.com
  2. Fercam Logistics – fercam.com
  3. Italsempione – italsempione.it
  4. Kuehne+Nagel Italy – kuehne-nagel.com
  5. DB Schenker Italy – dbschenker.com

Importing Small Parcels

Italy is well-served by couriers like DHL, UPS, FedEx, and Poste Italiane. Shipping costs for a 2kg parcel:

  • From the USA: €25-€50 for economy shipping.
  • From China: €20-€40 for economy shipping.

Express shipping options (2-5 days) are available at higher rates. Pricing varies depending on the courier, destination, and urgency. Check rates directly with providers for accurate quotes.

Customs looks at three things

Whatever you ship, customs checks the same three things. The classification: the HS code that sets the duty rate. The customs value: the price plus, depending on the Incoterm, transport and insurance. And the origin, which can lower the rate under a trade agreement.

On top of that come the registrations: an importer number or EORI, a VAT registration or a local importer of record, and product certificates for food, cosmetics, medical devices and electrical goods.

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.

Tell us what you want to ship and where to and we ask you all relevant questions to get to the most likely code.

Get your HS code VAlidation Report for only € 39

Importing into Italy in three steps

Step 1

Classify and check

Determine the HS code for every product, look up the duty rate, and check which certificates or approvals the country asks for before you ship anything.

Step 2

Arrange papers

Make sure there is a registered importer, and prepare the invoice, packing list, transport document and, where it lowers the duty, a certificate of origin.

Step 3

Ship and clear

Let a customs broker file the declaration, pay duties and import VAT, and keep the documents. Customs audits can go back several years.

Import and customs in other countries

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