Italy will adjust its tax on small parcels from non-EU countries to match a new EU levy starting July 2026, part of measures targeting cheap online imports from platforms like Shein and Temu.
Italy plans to align its levy on low-value packages with a EUR 3 EU duty, which will become effective on 1 July 2026, Economy Minister Giancarlo Giorgetti said on 29 January 2026.
The move targets inexpensive e-commerce imports, especially from Chinese online retailers.
Currently, Italy charges EUR 2 on parcels valued up to EUR 150, which is expected to generate EUR 122.5 million this year and EUR 245 million in both 2027 and 2028. The EU duty will apply per item until a permanent solution removes the exemption for online purchases below EUR 150.
The co-ruling Forza Italia party has called for a freeze on Italy’s tax until the EU rules take effect. Giorgetti said the government would assess the request while aiming to harmonise national rules with EU-level decisions.
Earlier, on 12 December 2025, at the ECOFIN meeting in Brussels, EU finance ministers agreed to end the customs duty exemption for e-commerce parcels valued at under EUR 150. They will replace it with a fixed EUR 3 import duty per package.
