Shipping from China to Italy

Sea freight to Genoa, La Spezia or Trieste, rail via central Europe and air to Milan, with Italian customs and delivery anywhere in Italy.

Mediterranean ports close to the north
Italian VAT and customs handled
Packaging labels checked before shipping

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The Short Way into Southern Europe

Ships from China reach Italy’s Mediterranean ports before they reach northern Europe. Genoa and La Spezia sit close to Milan and the industrial north, while Trieste serves the north-east and central Europe.

Most Italian demand is in the north, so the port choice matters. JIEYI picks the port by delivery address, clears customs in Italy and delivers by truck to your warehouse, shop or Amazon.it fulfilment centre.

Plan My Shipment to Italy

Which Italian Port?

Each port serves a different part of the country.

Genoa

For Milan, Turin and the north-west

Italy’s busiest container port, a short drive from Lombardy and Piedmont.

FCL and LCL
Most sailings

La Spezia

For Milan, Emilia-Romagna and Tuscany

A strong alternative to Genoa for the north and centre, with good rail links inland.

FCL and LCL
Rail inland

Trieste

For the north-east

Close to Veneto and Friuli, and a gateway to Austria and central Europe.

FCL
Good for the north-east

Air to Milan

Malpensa, Rome Fiumicino

For samples, launches and urgent orders, cleared at the arrival airport.

Fastest option
Best for light goods

Shipping Time from China to Italy: Sea, Rail or Air

Door-to-door times to an Italian address, with a rough guide to cost per kilo.

Option	Best for	Door-to-door time	Cost per kg	Details
Sea freight FCL	Full containers and heavy goods	40–55 days	$$$$	Sea freight
Sea freight LCL	Pallets for Italian distributors	45–60 days	$$$$	Shared containers
Rail freight	Restocking the north, via central Europe	30–40 days	$$$$	Rail freight
Luftfracht	Urgent goods into Milan	5–10 days	$$$$	Luftfracht
Express courier	Samples and small parcels	3–7 days	$$$$	Express

Sea times depend on whether vessels sail through the Suez Canal or around Africa. We check the current routing when we quote.

Shipping Cost from China to Italy (November 2026)

Typical rates in November 2026 for the main freight from South China. Rates change weekly; send your details and we reply with today’s price within 2 hours.

Method	Typical cost	Door-to-door time
Sea FCL, 20ft to Genoa or La Spezia	quoted per shipment	40–55 days
Sea FCL, 40ft to Genoa or La Spezia	about $4,200–4,700	40–55 days
Sea LCL	quoted per shipment	45–60 days
Rail freight via central Europe	quoted per shipment	30–40 days
Air freight (100 kg+)	about $4.5–7 per kg	5–10 days

Sea rates are for the ocean freight from South China. EU customs, import VAT, duties and delivery are extra unless you ship DDP. See the container shipping cost guide or ask for today’s price.

Sea, Rail or Air? Find Your Starting Point

Pick the weight and the deadline and see where to start for Italy.

Italian Customs and Import VAT

What applies when goods from China are cleared in Italy.

EORI number

Needed to import into the EU. Italian EORI numbers are issued by the customs agency (ADM), and any EU EORI works.

Import VAT (IVA)

The standard rate is 22%, with lower rates for some goods, charged on the value plus freight and duty. VAT-registered businesses can usually reclaim it.

Customs duty

Set by the EU tariff and the product’s commodity code.

Documents

Commercial invoice, packing list and bill of lading or air waybill, with clear goods descriptions in line with the HS code.

Selling to Italy without an Italian VAT number?

A duties-paid (DDP) quote covers IVA, duty and the truck to your buyer.

Get a DDP price

Italian Labelling Checklist

Two Italian rules catch many importers. Check them before the goods are packed.

Topic	Rule	What it means
Packaging	Environmental labelling of packaging	Packaging must show its material code and how to dispose of it, so consumers can sort it for recycling.
Language	Consumer Code	Key product information, instructions and safety warnings for consumers must be in Italian.
Electronics and batteries	WEEE and battery registration	Producers register in the Italian national registers before selling.
Consumer products	CE marking and GPSR	CE marking where required, and an EU responsible person for consumer products.

A general guide, not legal advice. Requirements depend on the exact product.

China to Italy Shipping: FAQ

How long does shipping from China to Italy take?

Door to door, sea freight usually takes about 40–55 days, rail via central Europe 30–40 days, air freight 5–10 days and express 3–7 days.

How much does shipping from China to Italy cost?

In November 2026, the ocean freight for a 40ft container from South China to Genoa or La Spezia is about $4,200–4,700. Air freight is about $4.5–7 per kg for 100 kg or more. 20ft containers, LCL and rail are quoted per shipment. Rates change weekly, so we quote today’s price within 2 hours.

Which Italian port should I use?

Genoa or La Spezia for Milan and the north-west, Trieste for the north-east. For southern Italy we compare the ports with the best schedule at the time.

How much import VAT is charged in Italy?

The standard rate is 22%, charged on the value of the goods plus freight and duty. VAT-registered businesses can usually reclaim it.

Does my packaging need Italian recycling labels?

Packaging placed on the Italian market needs environmental labelling showing the material and how to dispose of it. Plan this into your packaging design.

Can you deliver to Amazon.it?

Yes. We check labels in China, clear customs and book delivery to the Amazon.it fulfilment centres assigned to your shipment.

Related Services for Italy

Shipping to Italy?

Send the product, volume and delivery address. We pick the port and reply with sea, rail and air prices.

Get an Italy Quote WhatsApp +86 152 1895 5440