Limits to the transport of personal belongings into and out of Italy

There are no limits to what private persons can buy and carry with them when they are traveling within the EU (and so into and out of Italy), as long as the products are for personal use, except for some specific goods subject to excise duty such as tobacco and alcohol. There are a few restrictive (and outdated) limits to the import into Italy of personal belongings by travelers coming from non-EU countries. Under Italian law there is no specific limit to the export of personal belongings from Italy to non-EU countries. However, travelers must take into account the individual limits set by the country of destination.

Limits to the transport of personal belongings into and out of Italy

1) Traveling within the EU

There are no limits to what private persons can buy and carry with them when they are traveling within the EU (and so into and out of Italy), as long as the products are for “personal use” and not for “commercial use” (in this case special rules apply and proper documents are required), except for some specific goods subject to excise duty (for instance alcohol and cigarettes).

However, with reference to some valuable goods such as photo or video cameras, expensive watches, jewelry, personal computers etc. it is advisable to carry along a receipt or other proper document that can demonstrate the purchase in case the authorities check your goods (for instance controls at the airport by the Italian Financial Guard).

2) Traveling from a non-EU country to Italy (EU country)

The limits to the import into Italy of personal belongings by travelers coming from non-EU countries seem to be very restrictive and outdated. Therefore, even if the following limits are set forth by Italian law, it is unusual that Italian authorities sanction foreigners who are transporting, for non-commercial reasons, goods that have a higher value than the ones indicated below.

According to the Italian Ministerial Decree 32/2009, art. 2, par. 1, goods that travelers coming from non-EU countries carry with them in their personal baggage are exempt from VAT, excise and customs duties, provided that such importations are non-commercial and the value of such goods does not exceed € 300 per traveler.

The above amount is increased to € 430 for travelers entering the territory by air or sea, but decreased to € 150 for travelers under the age of fifteen regardless of the means of transport used.

For the purpose of calculating the total value of the transported goods with respect to the monetary thresholds indicated above, tobacco and alcoholic products not exceeding the limits established by law are not taken into account. The value of every single item cannot be fractioned.

If the above limits (non-commercial import and value not greater than € 300 – € 430 – € 150) are not met the traveler is required to pay customs duty on the entire value of the purchased goods.

As mentioned in paragraph 1, with reference to specific valuable goods such as photo or video cameras, expensive watches, jewelry, personal computers etc. it is advisable to carry along a receipt or other proper document that can demonstrate the purchase in case of customs controls.

3) “Export” of personal belongings from Italy to non-EU countries

With regard to the “export” of personal belongings from Italy to non-EU countries (from Italy to EU countries see par.1 above), considering that under Italian law there is no specific limit for this case, the traveler must take into account the individual limits set by the country of destination. Useful information related to this matter can be provided by Italian consular authorities located in the country of destination.