Italy plans levy on low-value parcels to protect fashion industry

ROME, Nov 12 (Reuters) – Italy is working to adopt a tax on low-value postal packages from non-European countries, senior politicians said, as part of measures to protect its fashion industry from low-cost foreign imports mostly from China.

The move targets online platforms such as Shein and Temu.

“Our measures will be in force by the end of this year,” Industry Minister Adolfo Urso told reporters.

Italy’s ruling parties plan to apply a levy to consignments worth less than 150 euros ($175), in line with a proposal being discussed at European Union level, other politicians said.

Economy Minister Giancarlo Giorgetti called for the faster introduction of the wider EU tax, saying in a statement it should come into force in 2026 rather than 2028, as currently envisaged.

“We need strong and fast European rules to stem the non-European aggression that is invading our market with cheap and unregulated products,” Giorgetti said.

EU customs authorities handled around 4.6 billion low-value packages bought online in 2024, 91% of them coming from China and double the 2023 figure.

The Italian measure is expected to be formalised as an amendment to next year’s budget in the coming weeks.

The Italian fashion federation welcomed it, calling the proposal a step toward curbing ultra-fast fashion.

“We appreciate the government’s intention to address in this budget law the economic and environmental sustainability impacts generated by ultra-fast fashion, which also drains significant resources from our economy and state coffers,” Federazione Moda Italia-Confcommercio said in a statement.

($1 = 0.8575 euros)

Reporting by Giuseppe Fonte
Additional reporting by Cristina Carlevaro
Editing by Frances Kerry and Crispian Balmer

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