Italy is one of the most popular European destinations for Canadian shippers: family packages to Veneto or Calabria, online sales to Milan, and sample shipments to trade shows in Bologna. It is also one of the destinations where regulations changed the most in 2026.

Two major changes have coincided this year. First, the European Union eliminated the duty-free allowance on shipments under €150. Second, Canada Post suspended the delivery of goods to several EU countries, including Italy. As a result, the cheapest route available yesterday simply no longer exists.

Here's what it actually costs to send a package to Italy today, and how to prepare it so it clears customs without any issues.

What Changed in 2026

The €150 deductible has been eliminated

Until 2026, a shipment with a declared value of less than €150 could enter the EU duty-free (although VAT was due starting at the first euro). This exemption has been eliminated: duties now apply starting with the first euro, with a flat rate per item for small shipments.

In practice, the workaround of splitting an order into multiple packages under 150 € to avoid duties no longer works. Worse yet, it now costs more: each additional package incurs its own processing fees.

Canada Post no longer delivers to Italy for freight

In June 2026, Canada Post suspended the acceptance of shipments containing goods to several EU countries, including Italy, due to new customs requirements for electronic data. For an individual who used to drop off a package at the post office counter, this is the most drastic change: they must now use a private carrier.

What Italy Charges on Your Package

Estimated amounts. Rates, thresholds, and fees vary depending on the carrier, the service, the nature of the goods, and your commercial agreement.

The point most shippers overlook: Italian VAT at 22 % is calculated based on the total value upon arrival, that is, the goods more shipping costs more Duties. A shipment of €200 worth of goods with €90 in shipping costs is taxed on €290, not €200. This amounts to approximately €20 in additional VAT solely due to the shipping costs.

CETA: Your Best Tool—If You Document It

The Comprehensive Economic and Trade Agreement between Canada and the EU allows goods of Canadian origin to be shipped to Italy duty-free. However, this benefit does not apply automatically.

To qualify, you must register a Declaration of Origin on the commercial invoice, along with your business registration number. Without this information, Italian customs will apply the full rate—and getting a refund for duties paid in error after the fact is a lengthy process, often more expensive than the amount involved.

Watch out for this common pitfall: «Shipped from Canada» does not mean «made in Canada.» An item manufactured in Asia and re-shipped from Montreal does not qualify for CETA benefits.

Required Documents

• Commercial Invoice in triplicate, with a detailed description in English or Italian. Listing the items as «Gift» or «Miscellaneous» will result in the shipment being held.
• HS Codes at least six digits for each individual item.
• Actual value for each item. Under-declaring may result in a reassessment by Italian Customs, along with penalties and storage fees.
• Tax ID Number the recipient's personal tax ID number, or VAT number for a business. Italy is strict on this point: a shipment without the recipient's tax ID number is often held up at customs.
• CETA Declaration of Origin if the merchandise is eligible.

Realistic deadlines

Two factors consistently extend these delivery times: customs clearance, which adds 1 to 5 days if a document is missing, and geography. Deliveries to Sicily, Sardinia, or rural areas of the Mezzogiorno almost always incur a remote area surcharge and add an extra day or two to transit time.

August also deserves a mention: many Italian businesses close around August 15. A business package delivered during this period may end up sitting at the warehouse, resulting in storage fees.

Five Tips for Paying Less

1. Group them together. Since the €150 duty-free allowance ended, splitting a shipment only increases customs clearance fees. A 6-kg package almost always costs less than three 2-kg packages.
2. Check the source before listing. If your goods are eligible under CETA, the declaration of origin may eliminate all duties.
3. Decide who will pay in advance. With DAP, your Italian recipient receives a call from the carrier and must pay the VAT and fees before delivery—this is the leading cause of package refusals. With DDP, you cover all costs, but the package arrives without a hitch.
4. Keep an eye on the volumetric weight. On transatlantic flights, a box that is too large is charged based on volume. Reducing one dimension by a few centimeters can sometimes change the price tier.
5. Compare prices before every shipment. With Canada Post out of the picture for this destination, the price difference between private carriers for the same package often reaches 30 to 40 %.

In a nutshell

Shipping to Italy in 2026 requires more preparation than in 2025, but it’s nothing insurmountable. The essentials boil down to three points: a complete commercial invoice with HS codes, the recipient’s tax ID, and a CETA declaration of origin when the goods qualify. These three elements prevent nearly all customs hold-ups.

Shipping Store compares rates from major carriers to Italy and assists Canadian small and medium-sized businesses and individuals in preparing their customs documents. Get a quote and see what your shipment actually costs, including duties and taxes.

The rates, thresholds, and amounts cited in this article are provided for informational purposes only and are subject to change. Actual costs vary depending on the carrier, the service selected, the nature of the goods, and your commercial agreement. Consult your representative or a licensed customs broker for an assessment tailored to your specific situation.