# Italy (IT)

**Capital:** Rome  
**Currency:** Euro (EUR) (EUR)  
**Population:** 58,943,000 — Older stored figure; source year not documented.  
**Area:** 301,340 km²

> Italy is one of the largest economies in the EU and a central Mediterranean hub between Europe, North Africa and the Middle East. As a member of the EU single market and the eurozone, customs clearance runs electronically via the AIDA 2.0 system of the Agenzia delle Dogane e dei Monopoli (ADM). Import IVA is 22 percent (reduced rates 10, 5 and 4 percent). Important container ports are Gioia Tauro (largest throughput, about 3,6 million TEU in 2024), Genoa, La Spezia, Trieste, Livorno and Naples; Milan Malpensa is the leading air cargo hub. Road, rail and the TEN-V corridors (Rhine-Alpine, Scandinavian-Mediterranean, Baltic-Adriatic) secure the transit function.

Italy (IT) is one of the EU's largest economies and a central Mediterranean hub for traffic between Europe, North Africa and the Middle East. As a member of the EU customs union and the eurozone, Italy handles customs procedures electronically through the AIDA 2.0 system of the Agenzia delle Dogane e dei Monopoli (ADM); the standard import VAT (IVA) rate is 22 percent, with reduced rates of 10, 5 and 4 percent. Its key gateways are the transshipment port of Gioia Tauro plus Genoa, La Spezia, Trieste, Livorno, Naples and Venice; in air freight Milan Malpensa (MXP) leads ahead of Rome Fiumicino (FCO). By road and rail, the TEN-T corridors Rhine-Alpine (Genoa-Rotterdam), Scandinavian-Mediterranean (Brenner) and Baltic-Adriatic (Trieste) connect the country to central Europe. Typical goods include machinery, vehicles and automotive parts, pharmaceuticals, fashion and furniture; the main trading partners are Germany, France, the United States, Spain and China.

**Top Import Partners:** DE, CN, FR, ES, NL

**Top Export Partners:** DE, FR, US, ES, GB

**Top Import Goods:** Crude oil, Vehicles, Machinery, Chemicals, Natural gas

**Top Export Goods:** Machinery, Vehicles, Pharmaceuticals, Textiles, Furniture

**Key Airports:**
- [Bari Karol Wojtyła International Airport (BRI)](https://www.freight-academy.com/en/information/airports/bari-karol-wojtyła-international-airport-bri)
- [Bologna Guglielmo Marconi Airport (BLQ)](https://www.freight-academy.com/en/information/airports/bologna-guglielmo-marconi-airport-blq)
- [Brindisi Airport (BDS)](https://www.freight-academy.com/en/information/airports/brindisi-airport-bds)
- [Cagliari Elmas Airport (CAG)](https://www.freight-academy.com/en/information/airports/cagliari-elmas-airport-cag)
- [Catania-Fontanarossa Airport (CTA)](https://www.freight-academy.com/en/information/airports/catania-fontanarossa-airport-cta)
- [Falcone–Borsellino Airport (PMO)](https://www.freight-academy.com/en/information/airports/falconeborsellino-airport-pmo)
- [Florence Airport, Peretola (FLR)](https://www.freight-academy.com/en/information/airports/florence-airport-peretola-airport-flr)
- [Genoa Cristoforo Colombo Airport (GOA)](https://www.freight-academy.com/en/information/airports/genoa-cristoforo-colombo-airport-goa)
- [Milan Bergamo Airport / Antonio Locatelli Air Base (BGY)](https://www.freight-academy.com/en/information/airports/milan-bergamo-airport-antonio-locatelli-air-base-airport-bgy)
- [Milan Malpensa International Airport (MXP)](https://www.freight-academy.com/en/information/airports/milan-malpensa-international-airport-mxp)

**Key Seaports:**
- [Brindisi (IT BDS)](https://www.freight-academy.com/en/information/seaports/brindisi-port-it-bds)
- [Civitavecchia (IT CVV)](https://www.freight-academy.com/en/information/seaports/civitavecchia-port-it-cvv)
- [Genova (IT GOA)](https://www.freight-academy.com/en/information/seaports/genova-port-it-goa)
- [Gioia Tauro (IT GIT)](https://www.freight-academy.com/en/information/seaports/gioia-tauro-port-it-git)
- [La Spezia (IT SPE)](https://www.freight-academy.com/en/information/seaports/la-spezia-port-it-spe)
- [Livorno (IT LIV)](https://www.freight-academy.com/en/information/seaports/livorno-port-it-liv)
- [Messina (IT MSN)](https://www.freight-academy.com/en/information/seaports/messina-port-it-msn)
- [Napoli (IT NAP)](https://www.freight-academy.com/en/information/seaports/napoli-port-it-nap)
- [Porto Di Lido-Venezia (IT VCE)](https://www.freight-academy.com/en/information/seaports/lido-venezia-port-it-vce)
- [Siracusa (IT SIR)](https://www.freight-academy.com/en/information/seaports/siracusa-port-it-sir)

## Customs & Import

**Import VAT:** Import IVA 22 percent standard rate  
**Customs complexity:** medium  
**Customs system:** AIDA 2.0 (Automazione Integrata Dogane Accise) of the ADM; EU Customs Code (UCC), electronic import declaration; in about 95 percent of cases, release in 2-5 minutes.  
**Customs authority:** [Agenzia delle Dogane e dei Monopoli (ADM)](https://www.adm.gov.it)

## Logistics & Risk

**Logistics role:** Mediterranean hub, industrial and transit country  
**Economic area:** EU (customs union) / euro area  
**Logistics risk:** low  
**Dangerous goods relevance:** high  
**Pharma/cold chain:** high

## FAQ

### Which documents do I need for import into Italy?

Commonly required are a commercial invoice, a packing list, an electronic import declaration via AIDA 2.0 of the ADM, and a transport document (CMR, AWB or B/L). For preferential treatment, a proof of origin such as EUR.1 or an origin declaration (REX) is added. Importers need an EORI number.

### What is the import VAT (IVA) rate in Italy?

The standard rate is 22 percent. There are also reduced rates of 10, 5 and 4 percent for certain goods. Import IVA is calculated on the customs value plus duty; exports are zero-rated.

### Is Italy part of the EU customs union?

Yes. Italy is an EU member and part of the EU customs union as well as the eurozone. No duties apply to trade with other EU states; for third countries, the common EU customs tariff under the Union Customs Code applies.

### Which electronic customs system does Italy use?

The Agenzia delle Dogane e dei Monopoli (ADM) handles imports and exports through the AIDA 2.0 system. Since 2 December 2024, the new electronic export declaration (DAE) has been mandatory for extra-EU exports.

### Which ports are most important for Italy?

Gioia Tauro is the largest container port (transshipment hub, about 3,6 million TEU in 2024). Other important ports are Genoa, La Spezia, Trieste, Livorno, Naples, Cagliari and Venice.

### Which airports are relevant for air freight?

Milan Malpensa (MXP) is Italy's leading cargo airport with about 731'000 tonnes in 2024, followed by Rome Fiumicino (FCO). Other cargo locations are Venice, Bologna and Bergamo.

### Which export controls and sanctions apply?

The EU Dual-Use Regulation (EU) 2021/821 applies; the responsible national authority is the UAMA in the Foreign Ministry. Italy also fully implements EU sanctions, for example against Russia.

## Sources & Last Verified

- [https://www.adm.gov.it](https://www.adm.gov.it)
- [https://www.agenziaentrate.gov.it](https://www.agenziaentrate.gov.it)
- [https://www.esteri.it](https://www.esteri.it)
- [https://www.adm.gov.it/portale/en/dogane/operatore/ecustoms-aida/aida](https://www.adm.gov.it/portale/en/dogane/operatore/ecustoms-aida/aida)
- [https://www.adm.gov.it/portale/en/dogane/operatore/regimi-e-istituti-doganali/i-regimi-doganali/esportazione-1](https://www.adm.gov.it/portale/en/dogane/operatore/regimi-e-istituti-doganali/i-regimi-doganali/esportazione-1)
- [https://www.agenziaentrate.gov.it/portale/iva-regole-generali-aliquote-esenzioni-pagamento/norme-generali-e-aliquote](https://www.agenziaentrate.gov.it/portale/iva-regole-generali-aliquote-esenzioni-pagamento/norme-generali-e-aliquote)
- [https://www.esteri.it/en/ministero/struttura/uama/](https://www.esteri.it/en/ministero/struttura/uama/)
- [https://www.istat.it/en/press-release/demographic-indicators-year-2025/](https://www.istat.it/en/press-release/demographic-indicators-year-2025/)

*Last verified: 2026-07-18*

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