Customs for Household Goods from Italy 2026: Removal Relief and Valuated Inventory

The 2026 customs framework for household-goods relocation

Cross-border movements of household goods to or from Italy follow the EU Customs Code (Regulation 952/2013), implemented in Italy by the Agenzia delle Dogane e dei Monopoli (ADM). For moves within the EU, no customs declaration is required — household goods circulate freely. For moves to or from non-EU jurisdictions (UK post-Brexit, Switzerland, Norway, USA, UAE, etc.), the Trasferimento di Residenza relief applies under Regolamento (CEE) 1186/2009 art. 3-11, granting full exemption from import duties and VAT.

The 2026 update operationalises the AIDA (Sistema Informatico Doganale Automatizzato) interface for digital export and import declarations. Movers and private individuals submit declarations electronically through a customs broker (spedizioniere doganale), removing most paperwork at the border.

Eligibility for the Trasferimento di Residenza relief

The relief applies if all conditions are met:

• Permanent transfer of normal residence (residenza abituale) for at least 12 consecutive months.
• Used goods owned and used by the applicant for at least 6 months prior to import (12 months for cars).
• Personal use only — not for resale or commercial activity.
• Import within 12 months of the residency change (extendable in special cases).
• Goods owned at the moment of arrival and not lent, hired, or pledged within 12 months thereafter.

Eligible goods include furniture, household appliances, books, clothing, personal effects, bicycles, motorcycles, cars, caravans, boats, pets and a reasonable supply of household consumables. Excluded: alcohol and tobacco beyond travellers’ allowances, commercial-quantity equipment, and items subject to specific bans (firearms, certain chemicals).

Documents required at Italian customs

Inventories should be in English or Italian, list each item with description, brand, model, serial number where applicable, year of acquisition, condition, and estimated value in EUR. Group items by box number with cross-reference. Customs sample-checks 5-10% of containers; missing or vague inventories trigger full inspections.

Cars and motorcycles in the move

Imported vehicles benefit from the same relief but with stricter conditions: 12 months of ownership and use abroad, registration to the same applicant, no resale within 12 months of import. Italian re-registration follows: customs clearance, technical inspection at Motorizzazione (Revisione tecnica e collaudo), payment of imposta di trascrizione (IPT) at the new region’s PRA, issuance of new Italian DUCP. Total cost of re-registration: €600-1,500.

For Italian-origin cars returning after foreign use, the procedure is simpler — the original PRA registration may be reactivated. See our car export guide for the outbound procedure.

Pets and animal customs

Pets travel under the EU Pet Passport Regulation (576/2013) within the EU. From non-EU origins, the EU Animal Health Regulation 2016/429 applies. Required: EU pet passport or equivalent foreign veterinary certificate, microchip ISO 11784/11785, valid rabies vaccination (21+ days post-vaccination), in some cases titration test (Echinococcus for dogs from specific countries). Maximum 5 pets per traveller for non-commercial movement.

Italian customs at major airports (Fiumicino, Malpensa, Linate, Venezia) have dedicated traveller-pet lanes. ADM and Italian veterinary border posts (PCF — Posto di Controllo Frontaliero) coordinate inspections. Plan 4-6 weeks of veterinary preparation.

The role of the customs broker (spedizioniere doganale)

Italian customs declarations require a registered spedizioniere doganale (customs broker) under D.Lgs. 374/1990 art. 7. International moving companies (FlyTo Relocation, Bliss Moving, Allied Italy, Crown Worldwide Italia) include broker services in their packages. Cost: 1-3% of declared value, minimum €150-400.

The broker submits the customs declaration via AIDA, retains the documentation for 5 years, and represents the importer in case of post-clearance audit. For high-value items (art, antiques, jewellery), a dedicated CITES or cultural heritage certification may be needed (D.Lgs. 42/2004 — Codice dei Beni Culturali).

Duties and VAT exposure outside the relief

If the Trasferimento di Residenza relief does not apply (e.g., goods owned less than 6 months, partial residency change, frequent moves), regular duties and VAT apply: average duty 0-12% depending on item, VAT 22% on the customs value. Personal cars without relief incur 10% duty plus 22% VAT plus IPT — easily 35% of the vehicle value.

For partial relocations (one family member moving, the rest staying), only the share of goods related to the moving member qualifies. Document with notarial declaration. Customs may request statement from spouse or co-owners.

Cultural goods and CITES

Art, antiques over 50 years old, archaeological items, manuscripts and rare books require additional licences from the Ministero della Cultura under D.Lgs. 42/2004 (Codice dei Beni Culturali). Export licences (attestato di libera circolazione for items over €13,500 in the relevant category, autorizzazione for items over 70 years old or above thresholds) are mandatory. Process: 40-90 days through the Soprintendenza Belle Arti.

CITES species (ivory, certain woods, exotic skins, rare orchids, etc.) need separate CITES export/import permits regardless of EU vs non-EU. Process via CITES Italy unit at the Ministero della Transizione Ecologica.

Practical timeline for an Italy → non-EU move

Day -90: Choose mover, request quotes including customs broker. Verify your eligibility for Trasferimento di Residenza in destination country.

Day -60: Detailed inventory, photo each high-value item. Begin AIRE registration if needed (see our AIRE guide). Apply for cultural-heritage and CITES permits.

Day -30: Confirm shipping date with mover. Pet veterinary preparation. Bank notifications.

Day 0: Loading. Container sealed by customs at Italian port (Genova, La Spezia) or by air freight forwarder. Original documents handed to broker.

Day +5 to +30: Maritime transit. Customs broker prepares destination clearance.

Day +30 to +45: Destination customs clearance. Sample inspection 5-10% probability. Full inspection if discrepancies.

Day +45 to +60: Delivery to new home. Final inventory cross-check.