How to Ship from the US to Italy: Complete 2026 Guide

Introduction

Italy is a vibrant market for US shippers, ranking as the fourth-largest economy in the European Union and home to over 35 million online shoppers. Italian consumers have a strong appetite for American brands, electronics, fashion, health supplements, and specialty food products. Whether you are an e-commerce seller shipping products to Italian customers, an individual sending a care package to family in Rome or Milan, or a business fulfilling B2B orders, shipping from the US to Italy requires understanding the logistics, costs, and regulatory landscape.

As an EU member state, Italy follows European Union customs regulations, but it also has its own unique characteristics that affect shipping. Italian customs processing can sometimes be slower than in northern European countries, and the domestic postal system (Poste Italiane) has varying levels of service quality depending on the region. Urban areas like Milan, Rome, and Turin generally experience faster and more reliable delivery compared to rural southern Italy and the islands of Sicily and Sardinia.

This comprehensive guide walks you through everything you need to know about shipping from the US to Italy in 2026, helping you choose the right carrier, estimate costs accurately, navigate customs requirements, and avoid common pitfalls.

Best Carriers for Shipping to Italy

USPS is the most cost-effective option for lightweight packages. Priority Mail International delivers in 6 to 10 business days and is the most popular USPS service for Italy. Priority Mail Express International offers faster delivery in 3 to 5 business days. First-Class Package International Service handles items under 4 pounds with delivery in 10 to 21 business days, though delivery times to Italy on economy services can sometimes stretch longer than to Western European countries like France or Germany. USPS hands off to Poste Italiane for final delivery within Italy.

UPS provides reliable time-definite delivery to Italy with UPS Worldwide Express (1-3 business days), UPS Worldwide Expedited (2-5 business days), and UPS Worldwide Saver (next-business-day by end of day). UPS maintains its own delivery network in major Italian cities, which means more consistent tracking and delivery performance compared to postal-dependent services. UPS is a strong choice for commercial shipments and heavier packages.

FedEx offers FedEx International Priority (1-3 business days), FedEx International Economy (2-5 business days), and FedEx International First (next-business-day morning delivery to major cities). FedEx has a well-established presence in Italy with customs brokerage services that can streamline the clearance process, which is particularly valuable given that Italian customs can sometimes be slower than other EU entry points.

DHL Express delivers in 1 to 3 business days and is known for its strong European network. DHL's customs brokerage is especially effective in Italy, and their Italian delivery network is comprehensive. For time-sensitive commercial shipments, DHL is often the preferred choice among international shippers to Italy.

Shipping Costs and Transit Times

Costs vary depending on origin ZIP code, exact dimensions, and fuel surcharges. Dimensional weight pricing applies for UPS, FedEx, and DHL. Shipping to southern Italy, Sicily, or Sardinia may incur slightly longer transit times due to additional domestic routing.

Customs, Duties, and Import Regulations

Italy follows EU customs regulations, so the same general rules apply as for all EU member states.

De Minimis Threshold: Commercial shipments valued at or below EUR 150 are exempt from customs duties but are still subject to Italian VAT. All commercial imports are subject to VAT regardless of value since the EU eliminated the EUR 22 VAT exemption in 2021.

VAT (IVA in Italian): Italy applies a standard VAT rate of 22%, which is one of the higher rates in the EU. Reduced rates of 10%, 5%, or 4% apply to specific categories including food products (4-10%), books and e-books (4%), and certain medical supplies (10%). VAT is calculated on the customs value plus any applicable duties and shipping costs.

Customs Duties: For goods valued above EUR 150, customs duties are assessed based on the HS tariff code. Duty rates vary by product category. Electronics typically face 0-3% duties, clothing and textiles 8-12%, and footwear up to 17%. The EU TARIC database provides specific duty rates.

Customs Documentation: All shipments require a completed customs declaration. Include a commercial invoice with a detailed description of each item, declared value in USD and/or EUR, quantity, country of origin, HS codes, and full sender and recipient information. Italian customs authorities are known to scrutinize undervalued declarations, so always declare accurate values.

SDI and Fiscal Requirements: For B2B shipments, Italian businesses may require invoices that reference their Codice Destinatario (SDI code) for electronic invoicing compliance under Italian tax law. This is primarily relevant for commercial exporters selling to Italian businesses.

Prohibited and Restricted Items

Italy, as an EU member, follows EU-wide import prohibitions plus some country-specific restrictions:

• Prohibited: Illegal narcotics, counterfeit goods, weapons and ammunition (without permits), products containing asbestos, ivory and products from CITES-protected species, and hazardous materials.
• Restricted: Wine and spirits (subject to excise duties and may require import licenses for commercial quantities), food products (must comply with EU food safety standards; certain US food additives and preservatives are banned in the EU), medications (personal-use quantities with a prescription may be permitted), tobacco products (strict excise duties apply), dietary supplements (heavily regulated; many US supplements contain ingredients not approved in the EU), and electronics (must have CE marking for commercial sale).
• Italy-Specific: Italy has strict regulations on importing cultural artifacts and antiques. Reproductions of Italian cultural items may also face scrutiny. Certain types of knives are restricted, and radar detectors are illegal in Italy.

Packaging Tips for International Shipments

Use high-quality double-walled corrugated boxes for shipments to Italy. Packages traveling to Italy undergo multiple handling stages and may sit in customs storage, so robust packaging is essential. Wrap fragile items individually with bubble wrap, and use at least 2 inches of cushioning material on all sides.

Seal all box seams with strong packing tape in an H-pattern. Use waterproof labels and consider placing a duplicate label and customs documentation inside the box. Italian addresses should include the recipient's full name, street address, postal code (CAP, a 5-digit code), city, province abbreviation (two letters, like MI for Milan or RM for Rome), and "ITALY" as the country.

For food items that are permitted for import, ensure packaging is airtight and clearly labeled with ingredients in compliance with EU labeling requirements. Perishable items require appropriate insulation and cold packs, though shipping perishables internationally is generally not recommended due to transit times.

Tracking and Insurance Options

USPS provides tracking for all international services to Italy, though tracking granularity may decrease once the package enters Poste Italiane's network. Priority Mail Express International offers the most detailed USPS tracking to Italy with delivery confirmation. UPS, FedEx, and DHL provide comprehensive end-to-end tracking with real-time updates at every stage.

For insurance, USPS Priority Mail International and Priority Mail Express International each include up to $200 in coverage. Additional insurance is available for purchase. UPS and FedEx offer declared value coverage with options to purchase additional protection. DHL provides shipment value protection. For valuable items such as electronics, jewelry, or artwork, consider third-party shipping insurance, which can be more cost-effective and may offer broader coverage than carrier-provided options.

Given that Italian customs processing can occasionally cause delays, comprehensive tracking is particularly important for shipments to Italy. Express carriers (UPS, FedEx, DHL) generally provide more transparent customs clearance tracking compared to postal services.

How to Save on International Shipping

Compare carriers on every shipment: Rate differences between carriers can be substantial. A 5-pound package to Italy might cost $70 with one carrier and $110 with another for similar transit times.

Use Atoship for discounted rates: Atoship aggregates discounted commercial rates from multiple carriers, often providing 20% to 40% savings compared to retail pricing. You can compare USPS, UPS, FedEx, and other carriers in a single interface and select the best combination of price and speed.

Take advantage of USPS flat-rate boxes: USPS Priority Mail International Flat Rate boxes offer predictable pricing for heavier items. A Large Flat Rate Box to Italy costs approximately $70 to $100 and can hold up to 20 pounds.

Minimize dimensional weight charges: Use boxes that closely fit your items to avoid paying for wasted space. UPS, FedEx, and DHL all use dimensional weight pricing (length x width x height / divisor), which can make oversized packages disproportionately expensive.

Consider DDP shipping for e-commerce: If you sell to Italian consumers, offering Delivered Duty Paid shipping eliminates surprise customs charges for your customers, improving satisfaction and reducing cart abandonment related to unexpected fees.

Frequently Asked Questions

How long does shipping from the US to Italy take? Express services (UPS, FedEx, DHL) deliver in 1 to 5 business days. USPS Priority Mail International takes 6 to 10 business days, and economy services can take 10 to 21 days. Customs clearance may add 1 to 4 days, particularly during busy periods.

What is the VAT rate for imports into Italy? Italy charges 22% VAT (locally called IVA) on most imported goods. The tax is calculated on the declared value plus any customs duties and shipping costs. Reduced rates of 4-10% apply to specific product categories like food, books, and medical supplies.

Can I ship food from the US to Italy? Some non-perishable, commercially packaged food items can be shipped to Italy, but they must comply with EU food safety regulations. Many US food additives, preservatives, and GMO products face restrictions in the EU. Meat, dairy, and fresh produce are generally prohibited without special permits and phytosanitary certificates.

Is it expensive to ship from the US to Italy? Costs range from about $15 for a small lightweight package via USPS First-Class to over $170 for express delivery of heavier packages. Using Atoship to access commercial rates can reduce costs by 20-40%. USPS flat-rate boxes are often the best value for heavier items.

What happens if my package gets stuck in Italian customs? If your package is held at Italian customs, the recipient will typically receive a notice (avviso di giacenza) from Poste Italiane or the carrier. The notice will indicate what is needed, which may include additional documentation, payment of duties and VAT, or clarification of the contents. The recipient may need to visit the local customs office with identification and the notice to clear the package. For express carriers, the carrier's customs brokerage team will usually contact the sender or recipient to resolve the issue. Customs holds are most commonly caused by incomplete or inaccurate documentation, undervalued declarations, or restricted items. To avoid holds, ensure all customs forms are complete and accurate, declare proper values, and avoid shipping restricted items.

Should I ship via air or sea to Italy? For standard-sized packages, air freight is the only practical option through USPS, UPS, FedEx, and DHL. Sea freight is available for large shipments such as household goods or bulk commercial orders through freight forwarders, with transit times of 2 to 4 weeks and costs that are much lower per pound than air. For most personal and e-commerce shipments, air-based services from the major carriers are the right choice. If you are relocating to Italy and shipping a large volume of personal belongings, a freight forwarder specializing in international household moves can arrange sea freight at a fraction of the air cost.