Imports, Customs and Vehicles
There are no restrictions on importing personal belongings, electrical goods, computers etc., provided the articles were bought in the EU.
If you import articles bought duty-free outside the EU, and for which duty and/or value-added-tax has not been paid in an EU state, they will be subject to Italian import duty.
If you want to bring a small quantity of personal effects, including books, you should bring them as accompanied luggage. You will need your passport (and visa, if required) and a list of the items you are bringing.
We advise against shipping belongings separately. Whatever the quantity, we urge you to bring them with you as accompanied luggage so that you can settle matters personally and directly with customs on arrival in Italy.
The procedure for getting shipped goods out of customs is complicated, time-consuming and can be costly. Goods do not always reach the customs office in Florence as planned. If they end up in another customs office it can be extremely difficult to get them from there to Florence.
If you take this option contact Filipa de Sousa at the Welcome Unit no later than mid-June for September arrivals, in order to complete the paperwork for importing goods free of customs duty.
EU nationals may import a vehicle without paying duty, provided it is over 6 months old and has done more than 6,000 km.
Non-EU nationals can import a vehicle duty-free on providing proof of ownership for over 1 year.
For questions about the import and re-registration of vehicles in Italy contact the Welcome Unit no later than mid-June for September arrivals.
If you want to buy a new or a second-hand car, and are planning to stay in Italy for more than 3 months you must have legal residence in Florence. You can get this by registering at the local town hall (comune).
Normally, this must be proved by a residence certificate (certificato di residenza), not to be confused with the residence permit (permesso di soggiorno) mentioned above, to be presented to the motoring authorities. The residence certificate confirms your address in Florence.
Please note that for Non-EU citizens this procedure may take a couple of months.
You will also need a tax code (codice fiscale, see above). Remember to take your passport or national ID card and your residence permit when you go to buy a vehicle.
All expenses related to the purchase and registration of a vehicle must be paid directly to the car dealer.
Any small motor cycle, moped or scooter under 50cc is called a motorino. A used motorino may cost anything from €250 to €1,000 depending on age and condition, while a new, basic model will cost about €1,800.
Third-party insurance is obligatory and crash helmets must be worn.
The new owner of a motorino (new or used) must acquire personal number plates, which cost about €100. Number plates must be registered with the Florence Ministry of Transport office (Ufficio della Motorizzazione) in 160/a, Via Lucchese, Osmannoro.
The EUI, however, advises you to go through the central office of the ACI Automobile Club di Firenze in Viale Amendola 36. You will need to be a legal resident in Florence before you can buy a motorino.
Note that when buying a second-hand car or motorcycle, you should take into account that older vehicles without a catalytic converter cannot circulate in the city centre.