ITVerified 2026-07-22
Italy - Import & Export Regulatory Guide
Italy applies the EU Union Customs Code through the Agenzia delle Dogane e dei Monopoli (ADM) using the AIDA declaration system. Dual-use and military exports are handled by UAMA (Unità per le Autorizzazioni dei Materiali di Armamento) at the Foreign Ministry.
Regulatory authorities
Customs entry, AIDA filings, excise, AEO.
Dual-use and military export licences.
Ministero Salute / AIFA
Pharma, medical, food safety.
MISE / MIMIT
Trade defence, industrial licensing.
Licensing regimes
| Licence | Scope | Issuer |
|---|---|---|
| Dual-use export licence | EU Reg 2021/821. | UAMA |
| Military list licence (Law 185/1990) | War materials; parliamentary reporting. | UAMA |
| AEO / OEA | Trusted trader status. | ADM |
| 'Made in Italy' certification | Voluntary but market-relevant; MIMIT & chambers of commerce. | MIMIT / CCIAA |
Prohibited goods
- · EU comprehensive-sanctioned origins.
- · Counterfeit and pirated goods (EU Reg 608/2013 - Italy is a top enforcement jurisdiction).
- · Torture goods (EU Reg 2019/125).
- · Unlicensed cultural goods over export thresholds.
Restricted goods
- · Dual-use items and national catch-all.
- · Cultural goods (Codice dei Beni Culturali) - export licence for items 70+ years old over value thresholds.
- · Wines - DOP/IGP origin controls.
- · EUDR commodities from Dec 2025.
Labelling requirements
- · CE marking; Italian-language user info for consumer products.
- · Origin marking - '100% Made in Italy' criteria under Law 166/2009 strictly enforced.
- · Food labelling per EU 1169/2011 with national origin decrees for pasta, rice, tomato, dairy.
Sanctions overlay
- · EU sanctions transposed via national decree; UIF FIU monitors financial exposure.
- · OFAC coordination via Banca d'Italia.
- · Russia packages 1-14+; Iran, DPRK, Syria, Belarus, Myanmar.
Dispute resolution
Objection to ADM within 60 days; Commissione Tributaria and onward Corte di Cassazione. Milan Chamber of Arbitration and ICC common for commercial disputes. NY Convention party since 1969.
Key official sources
Frequently asked questions
How is 'Made in Italy' enforced?
Italian customs and Guardia di Finanza actively enforce origin fraud on textile, leather, and food marked 'Made in Italy'. Substantial-transformation and country-specific criteria under Law 166/2009 apply. Improper claims can trigger seizure, criminal fines up to EUR 250,000 and shipment destruction.
Do cultural goods really need an export licence?
Yes. Items over 70 years old and above value thresholds (EUR 13,500 for paintings, higher for others) require an Attestato di Libera Circolazione from the Ufficio Esportazione before EU/extra-EU shipment. Turnaround is 40-60 days and refusal is possible for items of major cultural interest.
Templates & guides
Compliance templates
Essential documentation for physical trade flows with ${c.country} counterparties.
Templates
How-to guides