Customs' vademecum for those leaving: from cash to cigarettes and alcohol, what you need to know

The traveller's Customs Charter, July 2025 edition, published by the Customs and Monopolies Agency is a practical guide, updated to the latest regulations (July 2025), designed to inform those entering or leaving Italy on the main customs rules concerning luggage, goods, animals and cash. It is useful to prepare in advance for any documents to be presented to customs. The Traveller's Customs Card is a simple and clear document, but full of fundamental information to avoid problems at the Italian borders. Whether you are a tourist, a cross-border worker or a regular online consumer, it is advisable to read it before you leave or when you return to Italy, in order to know your rights and duties in customs matters.

Travellers are entitled to take certain personal goods and purchases with them without having to pay tariffs, provided they fall within precise allowances (i.e. value or quantity thresholds). From EU countries, there are no real customs controls, but some rules remain on goods subject to excise duty, such as tobacco or alcohol, and on animals or plants. From non-EU countries, on the other hand, there are stricter limits. In general, an adult passenger may carry goods to a maximum value of €430 if travelling by air or ship, or €300 if travelling by land. For minors under the age of 15, the limit is €150. Specific quantities are foreseen for alcohol (e.g. max. 1 litre of spirits over 22°), cigarettes (200 pieces), coffee, tea, perfume, etc.

Anyone entering or leaving the EU with EUR 10,000 or more in cash or equivalent instruments (bearer cheques, gold, cryptocurrencies in certain circumstances) is obliged to declare it to customs. The declaration is made on a special form, which is also available online, and serves to combat money laundering and illicit financing. In case of omission, the penalties are high, and may include confiscation of the excess money and a fine calculated as a percentage of the undeclared amount. It is possible to request the return of the seized money by filing an application within five years.

Anyone travelling with dogs, cats or ferrets must comply with strict health and customs regulations, especially when travelling outside the EU. It is mandatory that the animal be identified with a microchip (or readable tattoo if applied before 2011) and vaccinated against rabies. For intra-EU travel, a European pet passport issued by an authorised veterinarian is sufficient. For entry into Italy from some non-EU countries, serological tests, international health certificates and sometimes quarantine are also required. The rules vary greatly depending on the country of origin, so it is good to find out before you travel.

Whoever buys goods abroad, or on non-EU e-commerce sites (e.g. USA, China), must bear in mind the import rules: if purchases are occasional, for personal use and of modest value, they may fall within the customs exemption. Higher value or frequent purchases may require payment of VAT, tariffs and customs clearance fees, even for goods purchased online. As of 2021, all non-EU online purchases are subject to VAT, even below EUR 22. Shipments are checked by customs, and couriers may require the recipient to pay taxes before delivery.