Relocating to Italy

If you decide to move your belongings to Italy, prepare at least three months in advance and choose your carrier carefully. This is an important step that should not be taken lightly. A moving consultant may be able to come to your home to assess the volume of items to be transported. You must specify which objects or goods require special precautions (special packaging, special packing, etc.). You should also specify the tasks you will be carrying out yourself (dismantling furniture, packing dishes, etc.). To find a mover in Italy, use the Internet, the Yellow Pages or the useful links provided at the end of this article.

Regarding the estimate, it must include several essential points, namely:

the departure address - the place where the goods will be collected
the arrival address in Italy
the volume
the type of transport
the carrier's services (the type of tasks)
the price.

Choosing your moving company for Italy

It is common practice to have your belongings delivered directly to your new home in Italy. However, some transporters do not deliver to the home but to a storage point. This means that there are additional costs involved in bringing your belongings back to the final destination. It is important to find out about the transport and delivery conditions from the carrier you choose beforehand.

You must then make a list of your belongings, as complete as possible, so that you can draw up a "declaration of value".

Administrative procedures for moving to Italy

Before relocating to Italy, make sure you have an up-to-date identity document. European Union nationals are exempted from customs duties and are allowed to travel freely within the Schengen area.

If you come from a non-European Union country and want to move your main residence to Italy, you can benefit from an exemption from import duties on your personal belongings if you have stayed in that third country for at least 12 months. Personal property is defined as anything that is for the personal use of the person concerned or for the needs of their family, for example, objects and household effects, motor vehicles or household provisions. If you are carrying other types of goods, refer to the European Regulation setting up a Community system of reliefs from customs duty (CE 1186/2009).

Declaration of value and insurance

The declaration of value is a document that allows you to determine compensation for loss or damage to your goods. You will have to fill it in yourself, specifying the overall value of your goods as well as the value of certain goods that may exceed the contractual limit of value per object. An estimate cannot be drawn up without this declaration of value, which will obviously compromise your move and your organization.

The carrier will offer you damage insurance. This insurance will cover any unforeseeable damage to your goods during transport for the value you have indicated in your declaration. The cost of this insurance generally varies according to the overall value of your goods. A certificate of insurance must be given to you by the moving company.

Final stage of the move to Italy

Finally, you will have to sign the "consignment note" when your belongings are loaded and delivered in Italy. This letter sets out the terms of the contract, the mode of transport, the volume transported, the name and address of the customer and the transport company. By signing this letter, you will give the mover the green light to load and terminate your contract upon delivery.

It is common to pay the moving costs in two installments: a deposit is paid at the time of loading, and the balance is paid on delivery. You can also pay in one installment or at the carrier's convenience.

Important:

The carrier will assist you with the administrative formalities relating to your move to Italy, such as customs operations, but it may be wise to enquire beforehand.