While the import restrictions for small gifts and other items are not strict, with overseas shipping to Italy there will be important documents and details required to ship vehicles, yachts and larger equipment. Keep in mind that, if the item being shipped will be used by an Italian company the process may need to be handled by an importer. Customs controls are considerably stricter than they were just a decade ago.

Overseas shipping to Italy can be much less stressful and will take less time if all the necessary registration, tax forms and other documents are in place before the item or items being shipped move from their original location. Whether you decide to make all the arrangements yourself or get the help of a professional shipping-service company, you should be able to come up with approximate costs using the calculating software offered on many sites. Of course, if you have questions or doubts about the costs involved, you should always contact the shipping company or freight-forwarding company directly.

Costs vary considerably with overseas shipping to Italy but people can generally send a larger vehicle (such as a mid-size car) to a European destination for $900 to $2,000. Total price will vary depending on starting location, whether land transportation is required on either end of the trip and whether special insurance and storage costs are involved. If you are shipping household items, furniture etc. it’s best to get quotes from at least two cargo/container companies.

There are several options for shipping overseas to Italy, all of which should be considered if you plan to remain in Italy and have items transported from the United States, for example. When making the choice between container shipping and roll on/roll off shipping, keep in mind that you will not be allowed to pack your vehicle with personal items if it is to be secured on an inside deck with roll on/roll off service. When you reserve a dedicated container you are paying for the space within and may send items other than a vehicle or large furniture.

If you are an Italian citizen may be required to prove residence abroad for more than 18 months in order to import a vehicle. Importation of new vehicles is generally discouraged by the Italian government and the resident manufacturers. Be sure to clarify the importation requirements as one of the first steps in planning shipping overseas to Italy. If you are a non-Italian resident remember that all documents used for bringing vehicles must be original. Even notarized copies will not be accepted.

If all the registration, ownership and tax documents are made available before the shipment arrives, you may not have to present them again or review them with a Customs agent when the cargo arrives. Make sure you have sufficient marine insurance to protect the value of any cargo you ship. When shipping overseas to Italy this insurance should be arranged in addition to any vehicle insurance and land-transportation insurance.

There are different ways used for shipping to Italy by ocean. Containerized shipping is most commonly used to ship vehicles to Italy. Roll on / Roll Off car shipping is done only on specific ports in the USA and Italy. You need to ensure that the shipping company provides this service before hiring them. Certain shipping companies provide exotic car shipping and other specialty car shipping services to ship special requirements automobiles to Italy by ocean.

Shipping insurance is very important when you are shipping to Italy by ocean. You need to know that this insurance can be claimed only if your car is professionally loaded and shipped. The shipping company you hire must have international shipping license and it should have access to warehouses in the source and destination port that can help you with moving your car to and from your home.

If you are moving to Italy from another European Union country, you can enjoy duty free shipping for vehicles that are six moths old or that have run six thousand kilometers. On the other hand, if you are shipping a vehicle from non EU country such as the USA, you need to pay duty if your car is brand new. This fee is exempted if the car is at least a year old. Only a person with resident certificate called Certificato di Residenza can attempt to import vehicles to Italy. However, when you import the vehicle without paying duty charges, you aren’t allowed to sell the vehicle within one year. New vehicle imports of cars that are more than 2000cc are restricted by Italy.

In Italy, the metric system used is kilometers and kilometers per hour. Cars are driven on the right side of the road. If you don’t want to import a car permanently, you have to pay $1200 and keep the car in Italy for six months. Temporary import for a period longer than six months requires registering for a special plate. Import permissions are not denied generally based on color, dimensions and lighting.

To make shipping to Italy by ocean possible, you need to have a few documents with you. You have to visit the provincial tax office to get a tax code Codice Fiscale to import an automobile. You must have the ownership title which ensures that you are the owner of the car. Registration card for the vehicle must also be carried with you. Manufacturer’s information for the vehicle you are shipping must be submitted. Valid insurance for the vehicle you are buying is required. All the original documents are required and you can’t possibly get away with notarized documents.