Italy
Destination profile for the China-to-Europe corridor.
TL;DR: Italy has Europe’s highest standard VAT at 22%, but Genoa feeds the industrial north — for Milan, Turin and Bologna cargo it beats a Rotterdam discharge, at the cost of a strike-prone port.
Import duty & VAT
Duty: EU Common Customs Tariff (MFN, varies by HS code) Medium
Italy applies the EU Common Customs Tariff — duty depends on the HS code and is uniform across the EU, typically 0–12% for consumer goods. No China-EU FTA is in force.
VAT: 22% High — 22% standard (10% and 4% reduced).
De minimis threshold
€150 (VAT threshold) Low
The EU €22 threshold was abolished in 2021; import VAT applies from the first euro, with IOSS for sub-€150 consignments. Confirm current thresholds with Italian customs.
Compliance requirements
- EORI number for EU imports.
- CE marking for regulated products.
- REACH for chemical substances.
- Correct TARIC classification.
Clearance process
- Register for an EORI number.
- Classify under the TARIC code.
- File the import declaration and pay duty plus 22% VAT.
- Clear through Genoa.
- Release and deliver to northern Italy.
What most guides skip
Italy’s 22% VAT is the highest standard rate in Europe, which makes the port decision matter more: a Rotterdam discharge plus Alpine trucking adds cost on top of the highest VAT, while a Genoa call puts the container at the industrial north’s doorstep. The Vado Gateway terminal modernised Genoa’s capacity, and new Alpine rail tunnels are improving its reach. But Italy’s ports are historically strike-prone and the last mile can be congested — budget a schedule buffer, and treat the 22% VAT as the compound it is (duty + 22% on the duty-inclusive value).
Frequently asked questions
Should I ship to Genoa or Rotterdam for Italy?
For northern Italy (Milan, Turin, Bologna), Genoa usually wins — it avoids Alpine trucking from the northern range. Budget a buffer, as Italian ports are prone to strikes and last-mile congestion.
What is Italy’s VAT rate?
22% standard — the highest in the EU — with reduced rates of 10% and 4% on some goods. Import VAT is charged on the duty-inclusive value.
Key takeaways
- 22% VAT is Europe’s highest standard rate.
- Genoa beats Rotterdam for Milan/Turin/Bologna cargo.
- Vado Gateway modernised the Ligurian port system.
- Strike-prone port — build a schedule buffer.
Official sources
No verified sources yet.
Duty, VAT and de minimis figures are indicative and change over time. Always confirm current rates with the relevant customs authority before making commercial decisions.
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