The Italian government is set to modify its 2026 Budget Law with three significant amendments: delaying import fees on low-value shipments until 30 June 2026, clarifying VAT treatment for exchange contracts based on their signing date, and removing European manufacturing restrictions from enhanced depreciation tax incentives for business capital investments.
Italy’s Ministry of Economy and Finance announced on 12 March 2026 that it will soon issue legislative changes to the 2026 Budget Law (Law No. 199 of 30 December 2025), targeting key aspects of tax and customs policy. The planned changes will delay the rollout of a new import fee on low-value goods, provide greater clarity on VAT treatment for exchange transactions, and relax eligibility criteria for enhanced depreciation incentives.
Together, the measures aim to ease administrative burdens, improve legal certainty, and support business investment under the updated fiscal framework.
Import fee implementation delayed
The administrative fee on small-value imports under EUR 150, originally scheduled for immediate implementation, has been pushed back to 30 June 2026. This delay allows the Customs and Monopolies Agency sufficient time to upgrade its information systems to handle the new requirements.
VAT rules for exchange transactions clarified
New guidelines will specify how VAT applies to exchange transactions. For contracts signed or renewed from 1 January 2026 onwards, the VAT taxable amount will be calculated based on total transaction costs. However, existing contracts established before this date will continue using the previous normal value methodology, protecting businesses that structured agreements under earlier regulations.
European production requirement removed from hyper-depreciation
The enhanced depreciation incentive for capital goods investments will be modified to remove geographic restrictions. Businesses will no longer need to purchase equipment manufactured exclusively in Europe or European Economic Area countries to qualify for the increased depreciation benefits.
Earlier, Italy’s government gazetted Law No. 199 of 30 December 2025 on the State Budget for 2026, which introduces a broad mix of tax increases and reliefs across several sectors.
