Shipping From China to Italy — Air and Sea
Air freight to Milan Malpensa, sea freight to Genoa. DDP can be quoted where feasible, with EU duty and Italian VAT treatment stated in the written quotation.
Freight Options
How to Ship From China to Italy
Air or sea — the right mode depends on your timeline, cargo weight and budget. Both available with DDP delivery to Italian addresses (subject to the written quotation).
Air Freight — 5–12 Days
Shanghai Pudong (PVG), Shenzhen Bao'an (SZX) and Guangzhou Baiyun (CAN) to Milan Malpensa (MXP). Best for time-sensitive, high-value or low-weight cargo. DDP door-to-door available.
Sea Freight — 25–38 Days
FCL and LCL from Shanghai, Ningbo, Shenzhen and Guangzhou to Genoa, one of Italy's largest container ports. Cost-effective for regular volume cargo, including consumer goods and general merchandise.
Amazon FBA Italy
Delivery to Amazon.it fulfilment centres. FNSKU labeling, carton compliance and FBA prep included. DDP can be quoted where feasible — Italian VAT and EU duty treatment is stated in the written quotation.
Express — 3–6 Days
Urgent shipments via express air courier. Samples, prototypes and time-critical consignments delivered door-to-door across Italy in 3–6 days.
DDP — Delivered Duty Paid
Where DDP is feasible, import customs clearance, EU duty and Italian VAT (IVA, 22% standard rate) are treated as the written quotation states, with the importer arrangement identified in it; whether you need your own EORI depends on that arrangement. Exact eligibility depends on shipment structure and destination.
General Consumer Goods & Textiles
Fashion, textiles, apparel and general consumer goods are shipped as standard cargo — the same customs and freight process as any other product category, with the applicable duty rate confirmed by HS code before booking.
FCL — Full Container Load
Your cargo fills an entire container and travels without being mixed with other shippers' goods — typically suited to larger shipment volumes to Genoa.
LCL — Less Than Container Load
Your cargo shares a container with other shippers' goods and you pay only for the space you use, including consolidation/deconsolidation steps — useful for smaller, regular shipments.
Choose Sea If...
Your cargo is larger or heavier, timing is flexible, and freight cost matters more than speed — sea to Genoa is often the most economical option for suitable shipments.
Choose Rail If...
You want to explore a middle-ground option between cost and speed — China–Europe rail routing can continue with onward delivery toward Italy depending on current corridor and service conditions. Ask us to check current options for your shipment.
Choose Air If...
Cargo is urgent, higher-value or lower-volume — air to Milan is typically the fastest option but materially more expensive for bulky or heavy freight.
See Sea Freight, Rail Freight and Air Freight for full mode detail, or compare exact transit times with the Transit Time Estimator.
The Process
How China to Italy Shipping Works
Eight stages from your Chinese supplier to final delivery in Italy — what Latynex arranges depends on the scope in the written quotation.
Request a quote with your cargo details
Send us your supplier's collection address in China, cargo description, weight and dimensions, destination address in Italy, and preferred freight mode. We prepare the DDP quote — showing how EU duty and Italian VAT are treated — and confirm the scope in writing.
Supplier collection from China
Our China-based team collects from your supplier's factory or warehouse anywhere in mainland China. Multi-supplier consolidation is available.
China export warehouse and consolidation
Cargo arrives at our China export warehouse. For FBA shipments, FNSKU labeling and carton prep are completed here.
Export customs clearance in China
We prepare and file Chinese export documentation and clear cargo for export at the relevant Chinese port or airport.
International freight: air or sea
Your cargo travels via your agreed mode. Air: 5–12 days to Milan. Sea FCL/LCL: 25–38 days to Genoa.
Arrival in Italy
Cargo arrives at Genoa (sea) or Milan Malpensa (air). Our arranged Italian customs process is notified on arrival and import filing begins immediately.
Italian import customs clearance
The import declaration is filed with Italian customs (Agenzia delle Dogane) as part of our arranged customs process. Under DDP, where applicable, how EU duty and Italian VAT are paid, and by whom, is stated in the written quotation; under DAP, we notify you of the amount payable.
Final delivery to your Italian address
Cleared cargo is delivered to your specified address: warehouse, office, Amazon FC, or 3PL fulfilment centre. For Amazon FBA, we manage the FC delivery appointment.
Transit & Cost
China → Italy: Transit Time and DDP Cost Guide
Indicative DDP planning rates for the China–Italy corridor — freight, EU duty, Italian VAT and delivery, where DDP is feasible. Exact quotes depend on cargo details and current market rates.
All figures are indicative ranges including freight, EU import duty, Italian VAT (22%), customs handling and delivery. Import duty rate depends on product HS code — confirmed before booking. Fuel surcharges, port congestion and seasonal rate changes apply. Contact Latynex for a specific quote.
For a broader planning estimate, try the Shipping Cost Estimator or estimate duty/VAT with the Import Duty Calculator (now supporting Italy) — both are planning tools, not live carrier rates or an official tariff lookup.
What Determines Shipping Cost From China to Italy
DDP vs DAP
DDP vs DAP Shipping to Italy — What's the Difference?
For most importers without an Italian EORI or in-house customs team, DDP is the simpler choice.
Still unsure which fits your shipment? Compare in more detail with the DDP vs DAP tool.
Customs
Importing Into Italy — What You Need to Know
A practical guide to Italian import requirements for businesses shipping from China — duty, VAT, EORI and general cargo classification.
EU Import Duty (TARIC)
Italy is part of the EU Customs Union — import duty rates follow the EU's Common External Tariff (TARIC), identical to the rest of the EU. The exact rate depends on your product's HS code. We calculate your duty rate before confirming any DDP quote.
Italian VAT (IVA)
Import VAT is charged at Italy's standard rate of 22% on most goods, with reduced rates for certain categories. Under DDP, the written quotation states how this VAT is treated and who accounts for it; do not assume it has been prepaid unless the quotation says so. VAT-registered Italian businesses can typically reclaim it on their regular VAT return. Confirm your product's exact rate with your accountant if a reduced category may apply.
EORI Number
An EORI number is generally required to file import customs declarations in Italy. Under DDP, where available, import customs clearance is arranged on your behalf so you typically don't need one for that shipment. Under DAP, you would register an EORI with Italian customs (Agenzia delle Dogane) before your first import.
Consumer Goods & Fashion Cargo
Italy's import mix includes a significant share of fashion, textiles and consumer goods alongside general merchandise. These are shipped as standard cargo, not a special service category — the applicable duty rate depends on the specific HS code for your product, confirmed before booking. We don't offer a separate 'fashion logistics' product, just accurate classification for whatever you're importing.
Get an Accurate Quote
What We Need to Quote Your Shipment to Italy
Not sure which mode or FCL/LCL fits your cargo? That's fine — it can be assessed from your weight and dimensions.
FAQ
China–Italy Freight — Frequently Asked Questions
Common questions about shipping from China to Italy, transit times, documentation and cost.
Related
Related Services & Routes
DDP Shipping
How DDP works, and how it differs from DAP, for shipments to Italy.
Air Freight Service
Express and standard air cargo from China to Milan.
Sea Freight Service
FCL and LCL from China to Genoa.
Rail Freight Service
China–Europe rail — a possible middle option depending on corridor and routing.
Warehouse & Consolidation
Coordinate multi-supplier consolidation in China before export to Italy.
China → Europe
Mode comparison and destinations across the full China–Europe corridor.
China → France
Neighbouring market: French gateways, import VAT and customs basics.
Transit Time Calculator
Estimate delivery windows for air and sea freight to Italy.
Shipping Cost Estimator
Directional cost estimate by mode and cargo volume.
Logistics Assessment
Before you ship — review your route, Incoterms and Italian import duties. From €99.
Get a Quote
Cargo details to quote — weight, mode and destination. Timing depends on how complete the details are.