In one shipment Seapoe handled, moving goods from Italy to China, the choices in cities like Milan and Rome generally come down to two: for smaller amounts of luggage, use courier/air freight, charged by box with a transit time of about 10–25 days; for large furniture and bulky items, use sea freight, charged by volume with a transit time of about 2–3 months. Either way, China customs clearance requires the owner to complete the process within six months of entry into China. Personal used items are duty-free up to RMB 5,000; the excess is subject to 13%–20% VAT based on depreciated value. Shipping from Italy also requires the Codice Fiscale tax code, which is a mandatory document for export from Italy.
How to Choose When Shipping from Italy to China: Courier/Air Freight vs Sea Freight
Many international students packing up first ask: when shipping from Italy to China, should I use courier/air freight or sea freight? The answer is simple: small luggage goes by courier/air freight, and large furniture goes by sea freight. The two differ significantly in billing, transit time, and suitable items.
| Dimension | Courier/Air Freight | Sea Freight |
|---|---|---|
| Billing method | Charged by box, usually minimum 2 boxes | Charged by cubic meter (CBM), typically minimum 2–3 CBM |
| Suitable items | Clothing, shoes, bags, books, small household items | Furniture, mattresses, pianos, large appliances, whole-home relocation |
| Transit time | About 10–25 days | About 2–3 months from Europe to China |
| Customs clearance requirements | Same as sea freight; must be handled within six months of the owner's entry into China | Same as courier/air freight; customs inspects 100% of shipments |
| Cost characteristics | Flexible and cost-effective for fewer boxes | Lower average cost per cubic meter, better for bulky items |
- Courier/air freight is suitable when:
- You have no more than 8–10 boxes, mainly clothing, books, and small appliances.
- You are returning to China soon and want to receive your items quickly.
- You do not have oversized furniture.
- Sea freight is suitable when:
- You have large furniture such as mattresses, sofas, dining tables, bookcases, or pianos.
- You are relocating an entire household and the total volume exceeds 2–3 CBM.
- You are less sensitive to transit time but want a lower cost per cubic meter.
Shipping from Milan to China: Collection, Packing, and Italian Export Requirements
Milan is not a port city, but door-to-door service can include an in-home assessment, packing, and collection. The goods are then trucked to the Italian port of departure and loaded onto a vessel for China. The same applies to the Rome area, where Seapoe arranges local partner teams to handle the shipment.
Seapoe Relo's consultants usually recommend treating the following documents as required for export from Italy; missing documents often lead to shipment rejection:
- Scanned copy of the passport bio page
- Italian tax code (Codice Fiscale)
- Residence certificate issued by the Italian municipality (showing the address and start date of residence)
- Proof of employment or residence in the country of origin for more than 12 months
- Packing list (item description, quantity, depreciated value)
Seapoe Relo's frontline operations team often reminds customers that a missing Italian tax code is a leading cause of shipment rejection, so make sure your Codice Fiscale is ready before collection. Additionally, the declared value of personal exports from Italy must not exceed about EUR 800 / RMB 6,000; exceeding this may prevent the goods from being exported as personal effects. For heavy cargo, note that shipments exceeding 200 kg per cubic meter are charged by weight rather than volume.
For packing, we recommend five-layer corrugated cartons and composite wood for crating. Avoid raw wood and packaging materials with manufacturer logos. Used items should be cleaned before shipment to avoid extra issues during customs inspection due to their appearance.
Customs Clearance When Shipping from Italy to China: RMB 5,000 Duty-Free Allowance and 13% VAT
When shipping from Italy to China, Chinese customs clearance follows the same rules as for sea freight shipments. The key points are:
- The duty-free allowance is RMB 5,000, only for personal used items, and it is shared between accompanied baggage and unaccompanied baggage.
- The portion exceeding the duty-free allowance must be declared at depreciated value. VAT is usually 13%–20%, and for some categories the combined tax rate can reach about 23%.
- The owner must complete customs clearance within six months of entering China, calculated based on local time in China.
- Upon entry, obtain and stamp the "Customs Declaration Form for Inbound/Outbound Passengers" at the airport customs. This is the key document for claiming the duty-free allowance.
- Customs conducts 100% physical inspection of inbound personal effects. Zero-value declarations are not accepted. You must truthfully declare the item description, quantity, and depreciated value.
- Customs clearance takes about 7–15 working days.
- Starting May 22, 2026, Beijing Customs requires the original passport for personal effects clearance; photocopies or scans are no longer accepted.
Clients often ask Seapoe how detailed customs descriptions should be, and the answer is to avoid vague descriptions such as "daily necessities." Instead, write clearly: "5 men's shirts, 15 used books, 1 used coffee machine," and provide a reasonable depreciated value. This speeds up review and reduces the risk of customs treating the items as non-personal effects.
Sea freight from Italy to China usually includes customs clearance services but does not include customs duties or taxes. The consignee must pay VAT according to the amount assessed by customs, typically by scanning a QR code to pay into the designated customs account.
How Are Costs, Transit Times, and Volume-Based Charges Calculated?
There is no fixed unit price because costs are affected by many factors, including the collection city, destination port, shipment volume, whether packing reinforcement or crating is needed, and the insurance plan. Sea freight from Europe back to China commonly ranges from several thousand to over ten thousand RMB, depending on the real-time quote. The courier option is charged by box, with a minimum of 2 boxes, and is suitable for smaller shipments with relatively transparent pricing.
| Item | Description |
|---|---|
| International freight | Charged by volume or number of boxes. Quotes are time-sensitive, so book capacity as early as possible. |
| Customs clearance assistance fee | Fixed charge, billed separately and not included in the freight. |
| Customs duties / VAT | Payable on the amount exceeding the RMB 5,000 duty-free allowance as assessed by customs. |
| Storage fee | Starts on the 4th working day after arrival at port, at RMB 1/kg per working day. Usually low if you coordinate with your return date. |
| Insurance | Distinguish between marine cargo insurance (total loss only) and door-to-door insurance (covers damage throughout the journey). |
Storage fees are a cost many people overlook. They only start accruing from the 4th working day after the cargo arrives at the port. If your return schedule is well coordinated, you usually only pay a small storage fee. However, if you ship too early, extra storage charges may apply. Seapoe Relo recommends arranging collection 1–2 weeks before your return to China.
Frequently Asked Questions
Q: Can I handle customs clearance if I am not in China?
A: Usually not. Customs clearance requires the owner to complete it within six months of entering China. If you cannot return to China in time, you may try authorizing a relative or friend to bring the original documents to the port and handle it on your behalf, but success is subject to customs review. We recommend confirming with Seapoe in advance.
Q: What items cannot be shipped from Milan to China?
A: Cosmetics and skincare products are prohibited in international moves. Counterfeit or brand-infringing items cannot be carried. Appliances with built-in batteries (such as Dyson vacuum cleaners or rechargeable floor washers) are classified as dangerous goods and cannot be shipped by sea. Used items must be cleaned before shipping.
Q: How much tax do I need to pay when shipping furniture from Italy to China by sea?
A: Personal used items are duty-free up to RMB 5,000. The excess is subject to 13%–20% VAT based on depreciated value. On the Italian export side, the declared value is limited to about EUR 800 / RMB 6,000, but the actual amount is subject to customs assessment.
Q: How long does the whole process take?
A: Sea freight takes about 2–3 months to reach the port, plus about 7–15 working days for customs clearance. Courier/air freight takes about 10–25 days. If you choose sea freight, plan 2–3 months ahead and book capacity as early as possible.
Q: Can I ship without an Italian tax code (Codice Fiscale)?
A: Usually not. A tax code is required for export from Italy; otherwise the shipment may be rejected. You can apply for one at the local municipality or tax office, and arrange collection after it has been issued.
This guide is based on Seapoe Relo(熙浦国际搬家)'s hands-on operating experience. Details vary with shipment volume, route and the latest regulations, so confirm each point against your own situation before arranging the move.