It is important to know about customs regulations before traveling to Italy to avoid legal issues and potential fines. As you know, customs regulations widely depend on the country. Before traveling to (or from) Italy make sure to check the allowance and limits for the next things:
- Alcohol and tobacco
- Currency
- Medicines (especially those containing drugs)
- Animals
- Cultural artifacts
- Plants, fruits, vegetables and other agricultural products
Check the information below to be sure that you are complying with Italy customs regulations.
Import regulations in Italy
Duty-free allowance
When travelling within EU
There are no limits on the amount of alcohol and tobacco a traveller can bring in within the EU. The goods must be for personal use or as a gift and they must have had duty and tax paid in the EU country where they were acquired. Customs officials may require proof of intent if more than all the following is imported.
Tobacco limit
- Restricted to travellers 17 years and over;
- 800 cigarettes;
- 400 cigarillos (max 3g each);
- 200 cigars;
- 1kg smoking tobacco.
Bringing alcohol
- Restricted to travellers 17 years and over;
- 10 litres of spirits over 22%;
- 20 litres of alcoholic beverages, other than either wine or beer, less than 22% volume;
- 90 litres of wine (with a maximum 60 litres of sparkling wine);
- 110 litres of beer.
When travelling from outside the EU
If entering the EU from outside, passengers may bring with them duty-free goods for personal use within the limits set out below. The same applies if coming from the Canary Islands, the Channel Islands, Gibraltar or other territories where EU rules on VAT do not apply.
Tobacco limit
Restricted to travellers 17 years and over. One of the following:
- 200 cigarettes;
- 100 cigarillos;
- 50 cigars;
- 250g of smoking tobacco;
- or a proportional combination of these goods (such as 100 cigarettes and 50 cigarillos).
Bringing alcohol
Restricted to travellers 17 years and over. One of the following:
- 1 litre exceeding 22% alcohol volume;
- or 2 litres up to 22% alcohol volume.
In addition, both of the following:
- 4 litres of still wine;
- 16 litres of beer.
Cash limit
- There are no restrictions on the importation of currency into the EU.
- Funds of more than €10,000 must be declared to the customs authorities.
Other Goods free from duty
- Medicines for personal use. If the quantity exceeds 30 days' worth, the Customs Authorities may ask the passenger to produce the prescription.
- Personal items of non-commercial nature worth up to €430 when travelling by air or sea.
- Personal items of non-commercial nature worth up to €300 when travelling by land.
- Personal items of non-commercial nature worth up to €150 for travellers under 15 years of age.
Prohibited items
The following are goods which cannot be brought into the country.
- Counterfeit goods.
- Drugs, psychotropic and doping substances.
Restricted items
These goods are strictly regulated, and in most cases require a permit to be obtained prior to arrival.
- Cats, dogs, and ferrets are subject to a mandatory health inspection at the first point of entry on EU territory. They must also have a microchip or tattoo, and have been properly vaccinated against rabies. A Common Veterinary Entry Document certifying the healthy inspection must be provided with the customs declaration. Pets travelling within the EU must have a valid pet passport.
- The importation of other animals, such as birds and tortoises, is allowed if the animals are accompanied by a health certificate issued by the authorities of the country from which the animals arrive.
- Endangered animals, plants, and their derivative products protected under the Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species (CITES) may require protected species permits.
- Cultural goods require a declaration to the customs office and an import certificate issued by the Export Office of the Ministry of Cultural Heritage and Activities and Tourism.
- Weapons, firearms, and knives require authorisation issued by the competent body in the passenger's place of residence. Weapons may be deposited at the Customs Office until the authorisation needed is issued by the Office responsible for police force and public order.
- Up to 10kg of meat and dairy products from the EU, Faroe Islands, Greenland and Iceland.
- 2kg of products of animal origin such as milk powder and baby food can be brought in packaged and does not need to be refrigerated.
- Fish for personal use, disembowelled and weighing up to 20kgs.
- Small quantities of fresh and dried vegetable products for personal use.
Information has been updated: .