Moving to Italy, handled from door to door

Where we move clients to Italy from

Dedicated corridor pages

• United States → Italy

Other origins we cover

• France → Italy
• Belgium → Italy
• Netherlands → Italy
• Luxembourg → Italy
• Germany → Italy
• Austria → Italy
• Switzerland → Italy
• Ireland → Italy
• United Kingdom → Italy
• Spain → Italy
• Portugal → Italy
• Greece → Italy

Customs & paperwork into Italy

Moving from another EU country

Moving to Italy from another EU country involves no customs clearance and no import duty on your belongings.

Once in Italy, you will need a tax code (codice fiscale) and to register your residence with your town hall (iscrizione anagrafica).

Moving from outside the EU (UK, Switzerland, Norway, USA, and others)

From outside the EU — including the United Kingdom since Brexit, Switzerland, the USA and beyond — your used household goods can enter Italy free of duty and VAT when you transfer your normal residence. To qualify:

• you have lived outside the EU for at least 12 consecutive months;
• you have owned and used your belongings for at least 6 months;
• you are transferring your normal residence to Italy and have registered, or applied to register, with your town hall;
• your goods are imported within the time limit following your residence registration.

The time limit can be as short as 6 months after your residence registration for non-EU citizens, depending on the customs office. Plan your shipment early so it arrives well within this window.

Goods without a qualifying transfer of residence are taxed, including 22% VAT on the value of the goods, freight and insurance.

Since December 2024, Italy requires an EORI number for household goods shipments, including private moves. We help you obtain it.

Documents usually required for customs clearance

• Valid passport
• Italian tax code (codice fiscale)
• Certificate of residence from your Italian town hall, or the receipt showing you have applied for residence registration
• Proof of your previous residence outside the EU for at least 12 months (for EU citizens, typically a consular declaration)
• A signed declaration of transfer of residence and a detailed inventory of your belongings
• EORI number
• The customs forms we provide at destination

Requirements vary slightly between customs offices and by nationality. We confirm the exact list for your Italian customs office before your goods leave.

Special territories

Livigno and Campione d'Italia have a special tax status. If your new home is there, tell us at quote stage so we can plan the formalities.

Vehicles and restricted items

• Vehicles Vehicles can be imported duty-free with your household goods if you have owned and used them for at least 6 months and they meet EU requirements. A manufacturer's certificate of conformity is usually needed for registration.
• Electrical equipment Electrical items must meet EU standards and carry the CE mark. Some radio equipment, such as non-compliant walkie-talkies, is not allowed.
• Medicines and food Non-prescribed medicines are prohibited. Food products from outside the EU are restricted.
• Pets Pets travel separately from household goods. They need a microchip, a valid rabies vaccination and an EU pet passport or an official health certificate, depending on the country of origin.

How a move to Italy works

1. Free quote. Tell us your origin, destination in Italy and approximate volume. You receive an online estimate and a detailed quote within 24 hours.
2. Survey and planning. Your coordinator rechecks the volume, locks the transport mode and lists the customs rules you fall under on your way to Italy.
3. Packing and collection. We bring the packing materials to your home, inventory each piece and load everything on moving day.
4. Transport. Your belongings travel by the mode that fits your route to Italy: dedicated truck or shared load within Europe, sea container or air freight otherwise.
5. Customs clearance (where required). Customs paperwork for Italy is prepared and filed on your behalf (Italian customs file, including EORI number).
6. Delivery and set-up. We deliver at your new address and, if you asked for it on the quote, unpack boxes and reassemble furniture.

A single point of contact handles your move to Italy from estimate to delivery.

Transport options and transit times

Door-to-door transit times are indicative and depend on the season, the exact addresses and, where required, customs clearance.

Door-to-door transit times are indicative and depend on the season, the exact addresses and, for non-EU moves, customs clearance.

How the price of your move to Italy is calculated

Like every international mover, we build your price to Italy from a few concrete factors:

• Volume — the single biggest lever on the price, in m³. The online calculator walks you through it one room at a time.
• Distance and route — from your origin address to your new home in Italy.
• Transport mode — groupage, your own truck, shared or full container, air for urgent small shipments.
• Services — packing, taking furniture apart and reassembling it, crating fragile pieces, storage, island delivery.
• Access — walk-up floors, pedestrian streets, long carries from the truck, and hoists where access is tight.
• Customs — brokerage, declaration and port handling charges on routes to Italy that cross a customs border.
• Insurance — priced as a percentage of what you tell us your belongings are worth.

Typical volumes, as a guide:

For road moves inside Europe, the estimator returns a starting price in two minutes. Sea freight, air freight and any move that crosses a customs border go through a written quote, delivered within 24 hours.

Frequently asked questions

Do I pay customs duties when moving to Italy from the UK?

Not if you qualify for the transfer of residence exemption: at least 12 months living outside the EU, belongings owned for at least 6 months, and a transfer of your normal residence to Italy supported by your residence registration.

Do I need to register my residence before my shipment arrives?

Yes. Your certificate of residence, or the receipt of your registration request, is the key document for duty-free clearance. Start the registration as soon as you arrive.

What is an EORI number and do I need one?

It is a customs identification number. Since December 2024, Italy requires it for household goods shipments from outside the EU, including private moves. We help you apply.

How long do I have to import my belongings?

Depending on your status and the customs office, between 6 and 12 months after your residence registration. We recommend shipping as early as possible.

Is there any customs paperwork when moving from another EU country?

No. Moves between EU countries involve no customs formalities and no import duty.

How long does a move to Italy take?

From neighbouring countries, a dedicated truck usually delivers within a few days. A shared load takes one to four weeks. From North America, allow six to twelve weeks by sea container.