Everything you need to know — transit times, customs rules, import duties, carrier options and shipping tips for Italy.
| Carrier | Economy | Express |
|---|---|---|
| GLS EuroBusinessParcel | 4–6 days | 3–4 days |
| DPD Classic | 4–6 days | 3–4 days |
| UPS Standard | 4–6 days | 2–3 days |
| DHL Economy Select | 4–6 days | 1–2 days |
| DHL Express Worldwide | — | 1–2 days |
| UPS Express Saver | — | 1–2 days |
Business days. EU shipments: no customs delay.
Italy is an EU member — no customs export declarations or import documents are required for shipments from Portugal. The following documents are only needed for commercial B2B shipments.
Not required for Portugal–Italy shipments. Both countries are EU member states — no customs declarations needed.
Not legally required for EU intra-community trade. Useful for multi-item B2B shipments.
As part of the EU Single Market, no import duties apply between Portugal and Italy. VAT rate in Italy: 22% (standard). For B2C e-commerce over €150, IOSS registration may apply.
| Product Category | Typical Duty Rate | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| All goods (EU intra-community) | 0% | EU single market — no import duties between Portugal and Italy |
| VAT on B2C e-commerce (>€150) | 22% Italian VAT | Italy has the highest standard VAT rate in the EU. IOSS simplification available. |
| Excise goods (tobacco, spirits) | Italian excise rates apply | Excise duty applies even for EU intra-community shipments |
| Cultural heritage goods | Export licence required | Antiques and items of Italian cultural heritage require DGPC-equivalent Italian export licence |
Duty rates are indicative. Actual rates depend on the HS code classification of your goods. Consult a customs broker for high-value or complex shipments.
The following items have import restrictions or are prohibited in Italy. Check carrier guidelines before shipping.
Italy has a longer road transit time from Portugal than northern EU countries — budget 4–6 business days for economy road. DHL Express and UPS Express Saver reduce this to 1–2 days at a premium.
Italian address quality is critical for first-attempt delivery. Include apartment numbers (interno/scala), floor (piano) and postal code. Incomplete addresses are a common cause of Italian delivery failures.
Southern Italy (south of Naples) and islands (Sicily, Sardinia) may add 1–2 extra days to road transit times. Express carriers are more consistent for these areas.
No customs paperwork required — both Portugal and Italy are EU members. Your shipping label is all you need.
UPS is particularly strong for Italian B2B deliveries. GLS also has good Italian coverage. DPD's Italian network is less mature than in France or Germany.
For high-value Italian B2B shipments (fashion, luxury goods), DHL Express with declared value coverage is the most reliable option.
Economy road carriers (GLS, DPD, UPS Standard) typically deliver from Portugal to northern and central Italy in 4–6 business days. Southern Italy and islands (Sicily, Sardinia) may take 5–7 days. Express (DHL Express, UPS Express Saver) delivers in 1–2 business days nationwide.
No. Portugal and Italy are both EU member states. No customs declarations, commercial invoices or import paperwork are required for standard parcel shipments.
Italy's standard VAT rate is 22% — the highest standard rate in the EU. For B2C e-commerce shipments from Portugal over €150, Italian VAT applies. IOSS simplification is available for e-commerce platforms to collect VAT at point of sale.
Southern Italy has longer delivery routes from the main carrier hubs (typically in northern Italy). Sicily and Sardinia require additional sea or air transport to the islands, adding 1–2 extra business days. Express carriers are more consistent for southern Italian destinations — economy road times can vary more than for northern Italy.
Economy road shipping from Portugal to Italy costs approximately €10–€22 for parcels up to 10 kg. Express starts at €35–€70. Compare live prices from GLS, DPD, UPS, DHL and FedEx on Cargosender.
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