In this blog, we review the Canadian shipping options to Italy, Italian customs processes and explore the possibility of duty free clearance und er CETA. Canadian companies rely on low cost shipping to Italy from Montreal, Toronto, Ottawa and all Canada.

Canadian exports to Italy total over $2 billion per year and imports from Italy are even greater. With the Canada - European free trade pact, demand for low cost parcel delivery from Canada to Italy will become even more important. Shippers from Canada are not realizing the value of duty free CETA processes and need low cost parcel shipping solutions to Italy.

In this blog, we review:

• Italian customs clearance for parcels sent from Italy
• Shipping of Shopify and other online orders and payment of Value Added Tax
• Shipping carrier options from Canada to Italy
• Duty free clearance for Canada origin goods under CETA EU free trade

Canada companies can rely on low cost shipping Italy from Canada and can take advantage of duty free CETA import.

Disclaimer: The information in Jet Worldwide online content, including this post, is for general information only.

Clearance for Parcels shipped Italy from Canada:

How are duty and taxes assessed for parcels sent from Canada to Italy?

As Canada is outside the EU, formal customs processes apply for parcel importing to Italy. Canadian goods being imported to Italy may benefit from lower duty when the Canada-European free trade pact is fully implemented.

The standard VAT rate to Italy is 22%. Lower VAT rates may apply to certain items (such as books).

Prepayment of Value Added Tax to European Union Countries

Duty Free for low value online orders shipped to Italy

As mentioned above orders online orders shipped to Italy and other Europe Union countries will be assessed VAT. This includes items sold on eBay, Shopify, bigcommerce, and other e-commerce platforms.

Among the main changes are provisions for online marketplaces to be deemed the "supplier." As a supplier, the online marketplace will be held responsible for collection of VAT for online orders of up to €150. This new process, referred to as the Import One Stop Shop (IOSS), are designed to simplify the importation of online goods valued under €150. Contact Jet's logistics team for updates on new shipping options to Italy and the European Union.

Restricted and items of note include:

• Sending Audio/video cassettes and tapes to Italy? The length and width of the tape, a brief synopsis of the content and the reason for exportation;
• For sending clothing and other textiles to Italy: - the fabric breakdown, whether knit or woven and, for clothing articles, the gender. When sending textile samples, the words "mutilated samples" or " marked samples, not for resale" must be marked on the goods themselves and noted on the commercial invoice.
• Sending Software on flash drives to Italy: The value of software must be shown separately from software support.

Shipping Commercial Samples to Italy from Canada Samples sent Italy may qualify for duty free entry if they are valued under 22 euros and under 3 kg in weight. No more than 5 items can be sent and they must be for a solicitation of an order represented by the sample.

Sending Textile Samples to Italy (Designer Samples) Fabric samples/ swatches are a common item sent from Montreal to Italy. The samples can be imported free of duty and VAT. The commercial invoice for sending apparel samples should include:

• The style number of each sample appear on the commercial documents.
• The product description
• The intent of the shipper that the goods are intended as samples.

Parcel Shipping and Delivery

Options for shipping Italy from Canada

Shipping online orders to Italy and the EU

For higher volumes to Italy and the EU, Jet offers Canadian retailers direct access to Italy and the EU. For individual shipments and lower volume, the common carrier options are listed below.

Shipping to Italy via Canada Post

The lowest cost option for individuals shipping small parcels to Italy is Canada Post packet services. Shipments sent to Italy via Canada Post are imported and delivered by Poste Italiane.

Shipping options to Italy from Canada Post:

Low cost parcel shipping from Canada to Italy for small postal parcels

• International "packet" to Italy: Surface
• International "packet" to Italy: Air
• Canada Post Tracked Packet to Italy: delivery in 2 weeks

Shipping to Italy from Canada Post International Parcel options

• International parcel post to Italy: surface (lowest cost)
• Xpresspost to Italy: Delivery in within 2 weeks

Shipping to Italy via FedEx Canada and UPS Canada

FedEx and UPS are the largest international carriers from Canada and , along with DHL, provide quality express shipping Italy from Canada. However, FedEx Canada and UPS Canada can be expensive for small Canadian companies shipping to Italy.

FedEx and UPS Canada shipping options to Italy include:

• International Air express/ Priority shipping for delivery to Italy in 2-3 day.
• International Air Economy shipping to Italy in 3- 4 days
• Get a comparison quote for low cost shipping to Italy.

Shipping to Italy via Jet Worldwide

Jet has been providing best in class shipping to Italy from Montreal, Toronto and across Canada for over 40 years. Canadian companies can benefit from our direct shipping and import solutions to Italy and the European Union.

Contact Jet's Logistics Team.For a quote for shipping online orders, provide details including shipping volume, item(s) being shipped, average value and weight of each parcel. The more details the better :).

Parcel shipping for delivery to Italy via Purolator Canada

Purolator is a leading parcel delivery company in Canada. For international parcel shipping to Italy from Canada, they use other carriers such as UPS.

Canadian Goods shipped Italy Duty Free via CETA

Most Favoured Nation (MFN) tariff rates are generally applicable for good traded between Italy and Canada. Goods that meet The Comprehensive Economic and Trade Agreement (CETA) rules of origin can benefit from preferential duty free import. The MFN tariff rates of Canada and Italy apply to goods that do not meet the rules of origin (non-originating goods) under CETA.

Benefit from Canada's free trade agreements

Regarding duty free eligibility under CETA: Country origin rules are associated with factors used to determine if the product is eligible for preferential duty free treatment under CETA. Fortunately for shipping Canada origin goods to Italy, CETA rules don’t require a formal certificate in order to obtain tariff benefits. A declaration on the invoice or any other commercial document accompanying the shipment is enough.

CETA duty free clearance is possible for Canada origin goods shipped to Italy via parcels with a declaration of origin on the invoice. The CETA country of origin declaration has a specific wording, which is fairly straight forward (check with up to date regulations before shipping). 

Verify if a certificate of origin is required

Getting quote for shipping between Italy and Canada.

Jet Worldwide gives access to all companies seeking shipping quotes between Italy (and E.U.) and Canada for parcels pallets, and online orders.

For a quote for shipping online orders, regular volumes and logistics support; provide details including shipping volume, item(s) being shipped, average value and weight of each parcel. The more details the better :).

Jet Worldwide: Parcel shipping to Italy from Canada:

• Parcel shipping and Courier Delivery to Italy from Montreal, Toronto, Canada
• Parcel import from Italy from Canada
• Special pickup and delivery services to Italy including COD, time specific pickup and delivery, and Italian parcel distribution.