IrisIsIris
2/27/2017 11:23 EST
When we last lived in Italy (2001-09), we worked in IT, and when doing hardware upgrades on 100's of computers/servers and we found the import taxes to be amazingly high.
We're now intending to return to Italy, and will be bringing *personal* tablets/phones/etc. - is there a tax on these?
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Sergios
2/27/2017 11:46 EST
Make sure they look used. Not in factory sealed boxes that could be sold.
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DoppioCittadino
2/27/2017 12:27 EST
Anything you bring into Italy that has not been in your personal possession for at least one full year can be subject to import duty which amounts to about the same as the VAT tax would have been on the value of that item (that's why it seems so high).
The stuff that is on your person, in your backpack, etc. when arriving by air rarely gets looked at very closely, but you can be sure that bulk shipments and probably even checked luggage will be gone through very carefully by customs agents.
If you were dual citizens, I would tell you that your consulate has a form and procedures to assist you in "repatriating" your personal possessions with minimal concerns. They may have something similar for E/R visa holders; be sure to inquire.
By the way, import duty does not apply only to personal technology items; it actually applies to *everything* that does not meet the one year-old rule I mentioned above. Even those new clothes you purchased just before your trip and that still have the tags on them. Be especially wary of brand new Levi's and similar jeans; there is a huge black market for them throughout Europe and you will come under immediate suspicion if you try to bring even a couple of pair of brand new jeans into Italy. :(
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IrisIsIris
3/1/2017 08:03 EST
Good info, thanks to each of you. We just upgraded one iPad by buying a reconditioned one that's about 18 months old from Apple. They come with a new battery, case, and the same 1 year warrenty as new ones. We're holding on to our iPhone 5's just because they're not new. I had not thought about the tags left on the clothing - this is something we had guests decide to do when they came to visit us there years ago. Their thinking was that if they didn't wear them while there in Italy (this makes no sense to me), then they'd take them back when they returned to the US. Our recommendation was always to wear older stuff that was in good shape, and then if they found some treasure and packing room was an issue, they could give the old stuff to us to donate to our church there.
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Sergios
3/1/2017 08:08 EST
I buy new cloths whenever I visit the USA because size XXX [which is the same as extra large in the states] limits your choice here in Italy. So I always come with brand new clothing. I just take all tags off and crumple them somewhat. I've never had a problem.
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10abuse
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maluza86
3/1/2017 20:13 EST
Iris,
This is from the US Embassy Website:
Household goods may be imported duty free within six months of receiving the certificate of residence from the Anagrafe. An experienced and reliable shipping agent can simplify customs-free importation of household effects.
https://it.usembassy.gov/u-s-citizen-services/local-resources-of-u-s-citizens/visiting-living/
It seems not a lot of people use the Embassy/Consulates in Italy, but they are a great resource.
We imported all our household goods and my Harley Davidson all duty free.
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