Question 1

Which country has the higher VAT rate, Italy or China?

Accepted Answer

Italy: 22%. China: 13% / 9% / 6%.

Question 2

What's the de minimis import threshold for each?

Accepted Answer

Italy: USD 165. China: USD 21.

Question 3

Who is the customs authority in each country?

Accepted Answer

Italy: Agenzia delle Dogane e dei Monopoli (ADM — Customs and Monopolies Agency). China: General Administration of Customs of China (GACC).

Question 4

Which categories are restricted in each?

Accepted Answer

Italy restricts: Firearms and weapons (licence required under Italian Firearms Law); Medicines (AIFA — Italian Medicines Agency authorisation for commercial imports); Food products from outside EU (SPS checks by Italian border inspection posts); Cultural heritage goods (must be declared; export may require state authorisation under Cultural Heritage Code); Endangered species (CITES permit required); Plants and plant products from non-EU (phytosanitary certificate). China restricts: Food and agricultural products (GACC registration required for exporters; China Inspection and Quarantine — CIQ); Pharmaceuticals (NMPA (formerly CFDA) approval required); Firearms and weapons (Ministry of Public Security strict permits required); Certain chemicals and hazardous materials; Radioactive materials; Seeds and plant materials (phytosanitary certificate required).

	🇮🇹 Italy	🇨🇳 China
Customs authority	Agenzia delle Dogane e dei Monopoli (ADM — Customs and Monopolies Agency)	General Administration of Customs of China (GACC)
VAT / GST	22%	13% / 9% / 6%
De minimis (USD)	USD 165	USD 21
Cash declaration (USD)	USD 11000	USD 5000
Duty-free alcohol (L)	4	1.5
Duty-free cigarettes	200	400
Duty-free personal goods (USD)	USD 540	USD 730
Prohibited categories	Narcotics and controlled substances; Counterfeit luxury goods (Italy is a major enforcer for fashion industry); Pornographic material involving minors; Endangered species products without permits; Weapons without permits	Narcotics and psychotropic substances; Publications, films, and materials deemed harmful to China's political or social stability; Gambling equipment; Counterfeit currency; Animal and plant species protected under CITES without permits
Restricted categories	Firearms and weapons (licence required under Italian Firearms Law); Medicines (AIFA — Italian Medicines Agency authorisation for commercial imports); Food products from outside EU (SPS checks by Italian border inspection posts); Cultural heritage goods (must be declared; export may require state authorisation under Cultural Heritage Code); Endangered species (CITES permit required)	Food and agricultural products (GACC registration required for exporters; China Inspection and Quarantine — CIQ); Pharmaceuticals (NMPA (formerly CFDA) approval required); Firearms and weapons (Ministry of Public Security strict permits required); Certain chemicals and hazardous materials; Radioactive materials
Known scams	Counterfeit-goods sellers near Rome / Milan tourist sites: Italian Guardia di Finanza fines buyers as well as sellers for counterfeit purchases (up to EUR 10,000 civilian penalty).	Fake Chinese visa / invitation-letter services demanding high fees. Use only the embassy / consulate in your home country or authorised Chinese Visa Application Service Centers (CVASC).

🇮🇹 Italy vs 🇨🇳 China