USAOPEN .com Destinations – Italy

Italy, Country in Europe

Italy, officially the Italian Republic, is a unitary parliamentary republic in Europe. Italy covers an area of 301,338 km² and has a largely temperate climate; due to its shape, it is often referred to in Italy as lo Stivale.

Capital: Rome
Currency: Euro
Population: 59.83 million (2013) World Bank
President: Sergio Mattarella
Prime minister: Matteo Renzi

 

Shipping Tip*:

Import Duties

All merchandise coming into Italy must clear Customs and is subject to customs duty assessment unless the goods are duty or tax exempt by law. Customs duties are, generally, an ad valorem rate (a percentage), which is applied to the transaction value (EU Euro) of the imported goods based on the cost of the goods, insurance, and freight charges. Some articles, however, are dutiable at a specific rate of duty (so much per piece, liter, kilo etc.) and others at a compound rate (combination of both ad valorem and specific rates). The dutiable value of merchandise is determined by the EU Customs code. Several appraisal methods are used to arrive at this value. Generally, the transaction value of the merchandise serves as a basis of appraisal. Transaction value is the price the buyer actually pays the seller for the goods sold and being imported. The Harmonized Tariff Schedule of European Union (2002 Edition), issued by Istituto Poligrafico dello Stato, prescribes the rates of duty and classification of merchandise by the type of product; i.e. animal and vegetable products, textile fibers and textile products. The tariff schedule provides several rates of duty for each item.

Below is a summary of the new rules for EU deminimis value that enter into effect December 1, 2008:

• A commercial shipment below 22 Euros: no duty and no VAT collected.
• A commercial shipment between 22 Euros and 150 Euros: no duty but VAT is collected.
• A commercial shipment over 150 Euros: duty and VAT are collected.

It is recommended that before you send Delivered Duty Paid (DDP) shipments to Italy; verify the local customs/VAT requirements at the EU destination country.

Antidumping

Under strict enforcement of unfair trade laws, Customs will assess antidumping duties or countervailing duties. Antidumping duties are assessed on imported merchandise sold in Italy (EU) at less than the normal price of goods in the manufacturer’s home market (also called fair market value).

Excise Duties

Excise taxes are accessed against certain commodities, which are normally identified as “luxury” goods. The excise tax is normally assessed against tobacco products, perfumes and alcohol products but can also be accessed against other goods as deemed by Italian regulations.

Additional Duties

Countervailing

Countervailing duties are assessed to counter the effects of subsidies provided by a foreign government for merchandise exported to Italy resulting in artificially low prices that are detrimental to Italian and other European Union member states industries.

Watch Duty Rate

Watches imported into Italy (EU) are subject to duty assessment on a per item basis versus the traditional duty assessment on a set percentage of value declared. The actual duty and the final rate of duty are determined based on the customs classification of the watch at the time of entry processing.

Import Taxes

VAT

VAT or value added tax is accessed at a rate of 22% on those shipments that are entered as normal consumption entries in addition to the normal rate of duty.

Customs Fees

Examination Fees

Additional fees can be accessed on some commodities to cover the expense of performing the examinations and or testing required as a condition of the goods entry into the commerce of Italy. Commodities affected: cosmetics, drugs and medicines, artwork.

*Source: FedEx