Italy's e-commerce market is growing faster than a fresh espresso order on a Monday morning, and UK sellers are taking notice. With Italian online shoppers spending more than €40 billion annually, the opportunity is massive. But there's a catch: post-Brexit customs red tape and incoming 2026 fee changes are making sellers hesitate.
Here's the good news. If you understand the rules and partner with the right logistics provider, shipping to Italy can be as smooth as gelato. Let's break down exactly how UK sellers can tap into this goldmine without getting buried in customs paperwork.
The 2026 Italian Customs Landscape: What's Changed?
If you're shipping to Italy from the UK in 2026, you need to know about two new fees that kicked in this year.
The €2 Italian Handling Charge
As of January 1, 2026, Italy introduced a €2 administrative handling charge on all low-value e-commerce imports from outside the EU. This applies to every parcel, regardless of value. The kicker? This fee is based on where your goods clear customs, not where they're delivered. Clear your shipment through a German or French hub, and you might dodge the Italian fee entirely.
The Incoming €3 EU Customs Duty
Starting July 1, 2026, the EU is rolling out an additional €3 customs duty on parcels valued under €150. Italy is considering raising its national charge to match this amount, which could mean UK sellers face up to €5 in combined fees per parcel by mid-2026, before VAT.
These changes aren't designed to punish UK sellers; they're EU measures to level the playing field with domestic retailers. But they do add friction. The solution isn't to abandon the Italian market, it's to optimize your logistics strategy so these fees don't eat your margins.
Understanding Your Obligations: VAT, EORI, and IOR Basics
Let's cut through the acronym soup. When you ship to Italy, three registration requirements matter most.
VAT Registration and IOSS
Italian VAT is 22% on most goods. You have two options:
- Register for Italian VAT directly: This makes sense if you're shipping high volumes or storing inventory in Italy. You collect VAT at checkout and remit it to Italian tax authorities.
- Use IOSS (Import One Stop Shop): This EU scheme lets you collect and pay VAT at the point of sale for goods under €150. Your customer gets their parcel faster because VAT is already paid. Important note: IOSS streamlines VAT, but it doesn't eliminate the €2 Italian handling fee or the incoming €3 duty.
EORI Number
Your UK Economic Operators Registration and Identification (EORI) number is your passport for customs. If you're shipping commercially to the EU, you need one. Getting it is free and takes about five minutes through HMRC's online portal. Your customs broker (like GCL) will need this number to clear your shipments.
IOR (Importer of Record)
Someone needs to be legally responsible for your shipments entering Italy, that's the Importer of Record. For e-commerce sellers, this is typically you or your freight forwarder. GCL can act as IOR on your behalf, which means we handle compliance, documentation, and any customs queries so you don't have to wake up to emails from Italian authorities.
Incoterms Decoded: DDP vs. DAP for Italian Shipments
Incoterms define who pays for what and when risk transfers. For Italy, two matter most.
DDP (Delivered Duty Paid)
You (the seller) cover all costs, shipping, customs duties, VAT, and fees, right to your customer's door. Your Italian buyer pays nothing extra on delivery. This creates the smoothest customer experience but requires you to register for Italian VAT or use IOSS. DDP is ideal for building trust with Italian consumers who hate surprise charges.
DAP (Delivered at Place)
You cover shipping to Italy, but your customer pays customs duties and VAT on delivery. This is simpler for you administratively, but it creates friction. Many Italian buyers will refuse parcels or leave negative reviews when hit with unexpected charges. DAP works if you're shipping B2B and your client expects to handle customs.
Our recommendation? For e-commerce sellers targeting Italian consumers, DDP via IOSS is the winning strategy in 2026. GCL handles the customs clearance complexity, and your buyers get predictable, transparent pricing.
Your Italian Shipping Documentation Checklist
Customs delays happen when paperwork is incomplete or inaccurate. Here's what every UK-to-Italy shipment needs:
- Commercial invoice: Must include accurate HS codes, item descriptions, quantities, unit values, and total value in euros. Generic descriptions like "clothing" won't cut it, specify "men's cotton t-shirt, size L."
- Packing list: Itemized breakdown of what's in each box, including weights and dimensions.
- EORI number: Both your UK EORI and your customer's Italian EORI (for B2B shipments).
- Certificate of origin: Proves your goods qualify for any applicable trade agreements. For most UK goods, this is straightforward.
- Product-specific certificates: If you're shipping cosmetics, electronics, or food, you may need CE marking, safety data sheets, or health certificates.
- Return labels and documentation: If you're offering returns, include prepaid labels and customs documentation for reverse logistics.
Getting this right the first time saves days and avoids the dreaded customs hold. GCL's team reviews every shipment's documentation before it moves, catching errors before Italian customs does.
Delivery Options: Express, Air, Road, or Sea?
Not all Italian shipments need the same speed or budget. Here's how to choose.
Express Courier (1-3 Days)
Best for high-value items, time-sensitive orders, or launching a new product line. Express couriers like DHL and FedEx handle customs clearance as part of the service. GCL partners with all major carriers to get you competitive rates and full tracking. Expect to pay £15-£40 per parcel depending on weight.
Air Freight (3-5 Days)
The sweet spot for most e-commerce sellers. Air freight is faster than road or sea but cheaper than express. We consolidate shipments to Milan, Rome, and Bologna, so you get bulk pricing even on smaller orders. Ideal for restocking Italian fulfillment centers or handling peak season demand.
Road Freight (5-7 Days)
If you're shipping pallets or non-urgent stock, road freight from the UK to Italy is cost-effective and reliable. GCL runs regular groupage services through France and Switzerland into northern Italy. Full truckload options are available for high-volume sellers.
Sea Freight (15-25 Days)
Only makes sense for large, non-perishable inventory moves, think launching in Italy with 1,000+ units. For ongoing e-commerce fulfillment, sea is too slow for customer expectations.
Pro tip: Most successful UK sellers use a hybrid approach, air freight for fast movers and bestsellers, road freight for restocking slower SKUs.
Why Use a UK-Based Freight Forwarder Like GCL?
You could handle Italian shipping yourself, but here's why UK e-commerce sellers partner with us instead.
We speak both languages, literally and figuratively.
Italian customs authorities communicate in Italian. UK customs expect UK-format documentation. GCL bridges both worlds, translating requirements and managing compliance on both ends. When issues arise (and they will), we resolve them in hours, not days.
We know where to clear your shipments.
Remember that €2 Italian handling fee? It applies based on where goods clear customs, not where they're delivered. GCL routes your shipments through the most cost-effective customs points, potentially saving you that fee on every parcel. Over a year, that adds up to thousands of pounds.
We offer consolidated billing.
Instead of juggling invoices from carriers, customs brokers, and handling agents, you get one transparent invoice from GCL. Our Shipflow platform shows real-time costs before you ship, so there are no surprises.
We provide real-time tracking and proactive updates.
Your customers (and you) can track shipments door-to-door. If customs flags something, we're notified immediately and handle it before it becomes a delay.
We manage returns without the headache.
Returns from Italy to the UK require customs clearance in reverse. GCL handles the entire returns process, including refunds of any duties paid, so you can offer hassle-free returns to Italian customers.
Handling Returns from Italy: The Reverse Logistics Challenge
Italian consumers have strong buyer protection rights and expect easy returns. Here's how to manage them without losing money.
Set up a returns portal that generates prepaid labels with customs documentation already attached. When a customer initiates a return, they print the label and drop the parcel at a collection point. The parcel clears UK customs automatically because GCL handles the reverse customs declaration.
For returned goods, you can claim back duties and VAT paid on the original shipment. GCL manages this reclaim process as part of our returns service, recovering funds that would otherwise be lost.
Consider offering free returns for orders over a certain value to compete with Italian domestic sellers. The cost is offset by higher conversion rates and customer lifetime value.
Getting Started: Ship to Italy with Confidence
Ready to unlock the Italian market? Here's your action plan.
Step 1: Register for a UK EORI number (if you don't have one already).
Step 2: Sign up for IOSS through HMRC or a specialist provider.
Step 3: Get a Quote for your UK-to-Italy shipping plan at https://globalcorporatelogistics.com/contact/ so we can price the right service (express, air, road, or sea) and map out the best customs routing. (Prefer self-serve booking? Create a Shipflow account at https://shipflow.io/sign-up/ as a secondary option.)
Step 4: Upload your product catalog with accurate HS codes and values. Shipflow validates this data against Italian customs requirements.
Step 5: Choose DDP terms for your Italian sales channel to create a seamless customer experience.
Step 6: Ship your first order and watch real-time tracking through delivery.
GCL's team provides onboarding support to every new Italian shipper. We review your first few shipments to ensure documentation is perfect, customs costs are optimized, and you're set up for long-term success.
The Italian market is waiting. The customs process doesn't have to be your bottleneck.
Start shipping to Italy today with GCL. Get a Quote at https://globalcorporatelogistics.com/contact/ and we’ll handle the customs complexity while you focus on growing your Italian sales. (If you prefer to self-serve later, you can also sign up for Shipflow at https://shipflow.io/sign-up/.)
FAQs: Shipping to Italy in 2026
Do I need to register for Italian VAT to ship to Italy?
Not necessarily. If you're shipping goods under €150, you can use IOSS to collect and pay VAT at checkout instead of registering directly with Italian tax authorities. For higher-value goods or if you're storing inventory in Italy, direct VAT registration is required.
What is the €2 Italian handling fee and can I avoid it?
It's an administrative charge Italy introduced in January 2026 on all non-EU e-commerce imports. The fee applies based on where goods clear customs, if your shipments clear outside Italy (e.g., in France or Germany), you may avoid it. GCL optimizes routing to minimize these charges.
When does the €3 EU customs duty start?
July 1, 2026. This duty applies to parcels under €150 and is separate from VAT and any national handling fees. Combined with Italy's €2 charge, you could face €5 in fees per parcel by mid-2026.
Should I use DDP or DAP for Italian e-commerce shipments?
DDP is almost always better for consumer sales. It creates a seamless experience where your customer pays nothing on delivery. DAP works for B2B shipments where the buyer expects to handle customs charges.
How long does air freight to Italy take from the UK?
Typically 3-5 days door-to-door, including customs clearance. Express options can deliver in 1-3 days. GCL offers both services with full tracking.
What happens if Italian customs holds my shipment?
GCL monitors every shipment through customs. If there's a query or hold, we're notified immediately and work with Italian authorities to resolve it, usually within 24 hours. You'll never be left wondering where your shipment is.
Can I offer free returns to Italian customers?
Yes, and you should if you want to compete with Italian domestic sellers. GCL manages reverse logistics, including customs clearance and duty reclaims on returned goods. Returns don't have to hurt your margins if they're handled correctly.
Do I need an Italian EORI number?
No. Your UK EORI is sufficient for exporting to Italy. Your Italian customers (for B2B) will need their own Italian EORI to receive shipments, but that's their responsibility, not yours.
How do HS codes affect my Italian shipments?
HS codes determine duty rates and whether any special regulations apply. Incorrect codes cause delays and can result in higher duties. Shipflow includes an HS code validator to ensure accuracy before you ship.
What's the best way to track shipments to Italy?
Use a platform like Shipflow that consolidates tracking from multiple carriers into one interface. You and your customers get real-time updates from UK pickup through Italian delivery, including customs clearance status. No more logging into five different carrier websites.
Global Corporate Logistics Limited
Making UK-to-Italy shipping simple, transparent, and profitable for e-commerce sellers.
📞 Get in touch: https://globalcorporatelogistics.com
🚀 Get a Quote: https://globalcorporatelogistics.com/contact/
Secondary (Shipflow sign-up): https://shipflow.io/sign-up/