Italian custom import duty: a useful guide
How are import duties charged in Italy?
How are duty and tax calculated?
In general, shipping costs are included in duty and tax (regardless of who actually pays for them). When charges are specified in the commercial invoice the duties are calculated on the total amount including the shipping charges. If tax charged is not quoted in the commercial invoice, then a flat-rate amount is added to the declared value which is generally based on the weight and country of origin.
Depending on the type of product there will be a different rate: for example, cameras are charged at 4.2% while products related to health & beauty are charged at 6.5%.
For more informations about this check also our video about VAT and import and export in Italy.
What are the customs duties and taxes on imports?
Duties and import taxes are due for all goods imported into Italy from outside of the European Union. As part of the European Union’s Common Customs Tariff, Italy has preferential rates that are applied to imports from countries which the EU has signed agreements with.
Duties range anywhere from 0% to 17%, with the general tax averaging 4.2%. However, foodstuffs (particularly dairy products), textiles and clothing still have quotas and higher tariffs.
Who pays for them?
What documents are required?
For written declarations to customs, the official document is the Single Administrative Document (SAD) and is, as its name suggests, a one-page document. It functions as the EU importer’s declaration, encompassing both the customs duty and VAT; it is valid throughout the entire EU.
It should also be noted that Italy, like the rest of the EU, uses a Harmonized System (HS), meaning that there is a specific nomenclature involved in labeling products. And, according to the European Commission the HS “…comprises about 5,000 commodity groups which are identified by a 6-digit code and arranged according to a legal and logical structure based on fixed rules. The Combined Nomenclature of the European Union (EU) integrates the HS Nomenclature and comprises additional 8-digit subdivisions and legal notes specifically created to address the needs of the Community.”
That’s all there is to it. This process has been greatly simplified in order to lessen the bureaucratic strain associated with the movement of goods and promote transactions within the EU and abroad.
For more informations, read also our guide about imports and exports in Italy, how to export to Italy and our article about transfer pricing in Italy.
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Why was a child’s dress I sent to Italy as a gift held in customs for a month and then my friends made to pay 5 euros to collect it?
It was a birthday present and therefore embarrassing for me.It was very late and cost them money.
I have just bought a house in Italy and would like to take a few things over from UK, will be a mixture of furniture etc from our existing house, mostly used items but a few, new, low value items…
What do I need to do and how will I be taxed on a mixed load?
Thanks
Nigel
You should disclose it to the customs as personal items
Hi,
Would furniture even though a ‘personal item’ be worth more than the minimum E22 and therefore subject to charges?
I too am resident uk but have boight a property in Italy and would like to move some furniture, dvds, iMac (old), books and framed pictures over. Can these all escape import duties as they are ‘personal items’ and not yo be sold?
Thanks,
Sasha
you still need to disclose a value for import
Why does customs ask for the fiscal code for the recipient?? I have sent many packages via FedEx…but thus time customs in Lonate Pozzolo, It had thr packages and wanted that information?
The value of thr packages totaled 210 Canadian. How much taxes/duties will be calculated to pay??
22% VAT and they need the codice fiscale to raise the import duty bill
I’ve just had to pay €3:30 to receive a 60g package containing a birthday card and some hand knitted gloves that honestly have zero monetary value. “Gift” was ticked on the CN22 label by the Post Office in the UK, yet I’ve still had to pay. Is this correct?
Unfortunately this is correct
I am getting charged $520 in customs fees to RETURN a shoe that did not fit to a boutique in Italy. WHY SO HIGH???? This is insane !!!!!!!
I forgot my prescription sunglasses in the US and had a friend send them to Rome. The customs fee is over 60 euros. The glasses were $175 new, but are used. Is over 60 euros correct?
It may be correct if the value of $175 was disclosed
I am a business and I would like to order some packaging supplies from US. Do I still need to pay boarder taxes?
yes you should pay custom duties
i recently sent some christmas presents and the family received them paid 140 euros- is that right???
Thanks for your helpful website. Getting clear information on this topic is difficult. What about personal items with no commercial or resale value?For example personal documents (in my case certificates) from UK to Italy. J
Certificates and documents don’t have a monetary value, hence no taxes/custom duties due
Hello Nicolo,
I just want to get my new laptop shipped to italy from India.Am i supposed to pay any taxes? It is of personal use.
Thank you.
Unfortunately you have to pay VAT and custom duties
Hi 🙂 Looking to buy some jewellery from Israel and have it sent to me to Italy. What % should I be paying from the total cost of the jewellery given it’s over the €150 threshold please? I can’t seem to find this info anywhere online…
22% VAT and 3% custom duties
I sent two Fabric Beach bags to Italy on Monday with UPS the value was £100 my relative received them this morning and had to pay 50.30 euros is this correct ? This is more than 25% Tax.
That’s correct. 22% vat + duties
I bought some jeans from Italy sending to the UK costing £150 and they’re trying to charge me £64.41 import tax is this correct it seems rather high.
that may be correct
I want to send my Uncle in Italy a parcel gift from the UK, the contents will be clothing under £30. will i have to pay any customs and VAT or will my uncle have to pay once the parcel is delivered? Also does the weight of the parcel matter or just the value of the items?
The items value matters. You should not pay tax on £ 30 value parcel
This is unfortunately not the case. There was a €6 charge on item worth £15 in UK sent as a gift. A joke.
Hi. I’m in Milan, and I want to buy from an online store in slovakia. it costs 65 euro? Will i pay duties, if yes How much taxes/duties?
no duties within the EU!
I want to send a second-hand watch to my cousin in Italy from Singapore. A new watch worth 800 Eur, and approx 300 Eur for second-hand. How much tax he will need to pay, if any ?
Normally there is no duty on gifts
But I saw on the above comments, tax were commonly charged even on gift items. How can I be certain what items or circumstances that tax (VAT or custom duty) will not be charged.
Ciao Nicolò, I’ve just ordered some make-up items from a brand called colourpop in the US. The value of the items is 24 USD and I paid 34 USD in total (24 + 10 USD) for it to be shipped to Italy. I wanted to know how much tax or VAT would be charged at the Italian customs office. Thank you
normally 22%
Ciao come va !
I want to import second hend mobiles from us hwo much is tax or avt would be chared and hwo many days would be taking the custom prosess?
Can you please tell us more about your items? Do you have the TARIC/HS Codes?
Hi Nicole,
I’ve ordered some items through the shopping app called Shein. It costs around 90€ it contains some pieces of clothes 2hand bags and a small jewelry (rings) set.
I’ve been waiting for an update for almost a month now still none. Do I have to pay VAT or Custom? If yes how will they inform me about it?
Thanks in advance.
VAT and customs are due, the delivery agent will get in touch with you about that
Hello –
My partner and I purchased a home in Italy and we are wanting to ship a large amount of personal goods – furniture, decoration, etc. – to the new home. We have not yet established residency in Italy as it will not be our primary residence. Is there a way to import the goods as personal goods and not pay import duties or taxes? We both have Codice Fiscale numbers.
Thanks, Nick
fairly complicated as you need to still put a value on it
Similar issue, as the above question from Nick, about shipping a container of household goods .furniture to Italy from US; .is an inventory ie each item be required with a value or can one cap all at the insured value ?
What range of tax can I anticipate?
Does your firm assist with this process ? how to know, in advance. best legal and accounting and shipping company channels.
My partner has an Italian residency card and will be on the House Title. while I remain non resident.
Anticipating a Spring 23 move NY to Umbria.
Welcome your response. Thanks.
Richard
Buonasera
Abbiamo dimenticato il nostro IPad in hotel a Doha dove eravamo in vacanza . Il dispositivo è stato acquistato in Italia da noi cittadini italiani. L’hotel è disponibile alla spedizione via DHL; anche in questo caso va pagata la tassa doganale e altri oneri ?
Grazie
Dovete prendere contatto con DHL. In teoria non è imponibile
I’m importing a hearing aid from UK to Italy. It is a medical device. Is the VAT reduced to 6%? and is there a commodity code that needs to be on the c ommercial invoice?
Thanks
VAT should be 0 in italy for medical devices
Hi – I am sending a game from US to Italy through Fed Ex for a wedding.
Fed Ex is giving me an estimated land cost of 571 euros.
Breakdown :
Customs value $ 250.00 USD
Shipping Cost $253.00 USD
Insurance 0
Duties and taxes – 103.12 EUR
Total estimated land cost : 571.87 EUR
I understand the duty and taxes cost.
But what is the $250 customs value of good cost ?
That is what I paid for the game in US.
Thanks in advance
they calculate it on € 571.87
How is the value of old family furniture worked oit eg thinhs from my grandfather – no receipts
Hi my mom sent me a some stuff and paid all taxes and shipping fee but they still ask me to pay 80€ tax. So if I had already paid it I don’t have to pay 80€ right?
Hi Nicolo
I’m about to send a gift parcel containing 20 small packages of dry dog food (no monetary value as I’ve obrained them as samples) from England to italy. The parcel weight about 500 grams. Will the recipient of the parcel in Italy have to pay anything to receive it?
Thank you.
Chances are they don’t need to pay any import duty
Hi, I need to send training material to Italy for a conference. This will include notebooks, pens, paper and folders. Is this something that will be taxed? Thank you
Not taxable at all!
I have just received (in Italy) a 50p commemorative coin from the Royal Mint purchased as a gift for a friend, with a declared value of £15. I was required to pay 9.03 euros to have the package delivered!! Surely this is incorrect and looks criminal!
Likely to be correct. They charge a minimum VAT and duty on such items
Wedding in Italy – just sent items totalling 1898 GBP – the shipping total was 536 GBP – hwoever they have said my duties cost to pay is 1542 Euros – does this sound right?
It all depends on the duties based on the items and its value. Hard to tell
Ciao niccolò,
Vorrei aprire un ecommerce e pensavo di comprare dei cosmetici dalla corea del sud, ho capito piu o meno come calcolare i dazi e l’iva, pero non ho capito che documenti devo far allegare alla spedizione e cone funziona nei fatti. Cioè il venditore mi mette i documenti (non so quali) nel pacco (o fuori dal pacco) e alla dogana italiana mi contattano per pagare dazi e iva? Che succede se manca qualche documento (magari i documenti per le conformita di alcuni cosmetici) mi contattano e me li chiedono o sequestrano e buttano subito tutto?
sono due tematiche distinte. 1. le imposte sono calcolate in base ai valori di fattura e dei pagamenti 2. le conformità devono essere valutate dalle competenti autorità
I’ve just received a package I ordered from Japan to Milan. The value declared on the box was 550 yen ( around 4 Euros), but I had to pay 4.17 Euros to receive the package!! How is the cost really calculated? Its no way 22%
That also includes custom duties!
I want to send clothing to Italy from the US, as a wholesale transaction, i.e. selling to a company that will sell to the consumers. I can’t tell if the wholesale is taxed or just when sold to the consumer
Hi Nicolò, I am intending to buy a used motorcycle from Belgium. The motorcycle is 37 years old and valued at €17000. What duties are due and at what rate will they be levied? I am resident in Italy.
Kind regards Martin
There are no duties nor VAT since the Item is already in Europe. You need to pay the registration tax in Italy once you use it here
Ciao Nicolo,
I want to ship a wooden statue from UK to Italy. I am sending to an Italian friend as a gift. The statue was made in India and is valued at £200. Shipping cost is £180.
What taxes and duty would I have to pay?
Grazia molto
£ 200 should be the value to be disclosed
Hi. I want to send a used iPhone from Canada to Italy to a friend. What should the declared value be based on ? It is a gift. Thank you.
You should declare the ongoing value of such item
I’m migrating to Italy being retired here in the U.S. I want to ship son of my clothing and personal items all of which are used. What rate of Tax will I be looking from the Italian Customs Dept.
This depends on the type of items; you are likely to suffer a 22% VAT rate on this
Good Morning
I left my mobile phone in the UK for repair.
It needs to be sent via UPS to me in Italy as I now need it.
Current value is 300 Euro. But it is my own phone being returned back to me, already has my iCloud account set.
Will I have to pay any duty or VAT?
What will that amount be if I am liable to pay?
What shall the declaration and value show on the package?
Many Thanks
Hi!
I sent a box from Japan to Italy and there was a typo on the declared value which resulted to a larger tax that is being asked to be paid by my parents (recipient.) Would there be a way to correct the value? My parents initially refused to pay because it was €230. They have no idea where the box will be taken because the postman left already. Those were basically gifts not even over 6kg. The typo was ¥95400, should have been ¥9540
Hii…….my mom wants to send a gift for my family from India to Italyuts approximately weight 14kg.is we need to pay custom duty here in italy or how much we need to pay for a gift???
Hi Nicolò,
I’m planning to buy a diamond from USA for $5000 that will be shipped to Italy.
If I’m right, the VAT is 22% for jewellery too, but what about customs and duty fees?
Thank you
You are required to pay customs duties based on the TARIC classification of your items
Hi Nicolò ,
I’m trying but I can’t even understand what TARIC code applies and how to calculate.
For example, a ring with a diamond from US,
on the European website https://ec.europa.eu/taxation_customs/dds2/taric/taric_consultation.jsp?Lang=en
the code 7116 that it seems the right
one to me says:
“Articles of natural or cultured pearls, precious or semi-precious stones (natural, synthetic or reconstructed) ”
Then there are three sub codes with a very vague description some of them report “Third country duty” 0% some 2.5%
Which one is right and what are the overall charges ? vat + … ?
Please, help
that’s correct
Hello Nicolo,
Earlier this month we mailed three funeral memorial books of my mother to relatives in Italy from Canada. Each book cost 75$ CDN to mail to Italy. Once it arrived in Italy, my relatives had to pay a shocking 33 Euros to pick it up at the post-office! They were charged some sort of fee which is absolutely silly! This was a gift from our family to relatives in Italy & everyone was shocked and given no explanation by the post office. Is this even legal or fair? And what is this charge for??
unfortunately it is legal. Unless you picked document with value of €0 once shipped, the tax office can charge it
We regularly send products to Europe via UPS. We have had a box go missing – if we send a replacement (which I presume will then be taxed) is it possible for our customer to claim back the import duties if UPS agree that the shipment has been lost?
Technically yes, however I would deal with UPS first
I’ve got a question… I live in Italy now, and I want my sister to send me one of my Stetson cowboy hats from the US. I no longer have the receipt; is there a way I would be able to get it sent to Italy without the receipt? How do I declare and actually receive it? Thank you in advance!
I want to send a little dress fora new baby as a gift the dress cost£22 how much extra will I have to pay to send i don’t want them to have to pay anything
no duties on such value if it’s a gift
Hello, is there any difference for something such as an old (1960s) vinyl music record? Or is it just charged at VAT + Import duty like all other items, and its value is 10 to 20 Euros.
Thanks
B.
Ciao!
Would I pay money on second hand clothing purchased form a store in the UK and sent to Italy? The value is 52 euros.
Thank you!
Yes
Hello Nicolò,
I am moving from Canada to Italy and will be shipping my desktop computer and monitor via my airline cargo service (items will be on the same flight as me). The computer is used (purchased it more than 2 years ago) and is for personal use. Disclosed value of 5k $ CAD. Do I need to pay import duty on such items? Is there a way to avoid duty? Marked as a gift maybe?
Thank you so much for your time!
Best,
Francis