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Shipping Shipping something to Italy (a little guide for sellers outside Europe)

Feb 28, 2010

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    1. Well I have decided to write this little guide after a PMs exchange with a DoA mod. (for a personal market transaction ^^) and after some situations happened between international sellers and italian buyers reported on the BJD italian forum, where several italian buyers found problems about purchasing items outside Europe, cause sellers refused to ship to Italy.

      First of all, italian postal service is not worse than other postal services in the world.

      I am buying dolls on DoA since some years and mostly of them from international sellers and never had a problem with them.
      I am shipping from Italy too, to all over the world and people always received their dolls (The italian shipping is ultra fast too, you can have a doll delivered to USA in 4 working days, I never received a doll in the same time from outside Europe ;) ).

      So why sellers are so scared to ship to Italy?
      I think it is cause some misunderstanding happened time ago and some "legends" about the italian postal service.

      Let's see the true real problem and not the legends:

      Problem:
      The very bad thing in Italy is the Customs Office, that is really nasty and able to keep a parcel for weeks before release it. But this is bad only when some details are missed on the shipment.

      Solution:
      Following these two rules the parcels will arrive fast and safe and the customs will let them pass:

      - The italian buyer must give you his tax ID code to write on the parcel.
      The Tax ID code (called Codice Fiscale in Italy) is mandatory for every parcels that arrives from outside Europe. Without it, the italian customs hold the parcels for weeks.
      An experienced italian buyer usually knows it and when he give you his address, he will tell you that code too.
      If the code is not given and you don't want to ask for it (of course it is your right!) be prepared to wait about 3 weeks for the delivery of the doll (and you know, the sooner a selling transaction ends, the better... so I would ask for that code if the buyer is a newbie).

      - Write a description of the item, a fine description could be "doll accessory" or "doll head" or "doll part" or "used doll" and never "toys" cause there is a severe regulation in Europe about toys.
      Do not write "gift" without explaining what is inside the package, cause a clear description is mandatory, so "gift used doll" is ok.

      The two rules are the same for other packages that are shipped using a different method from the standard EMS.
      The tax ID code is always mandatory, even if the small packages shipped with registered airmails or unregistered airmails usually are able to skip the customs.

      I suggest to use only trackable methods to ship something out, not just to Italy but everywhere, depending (of course) on the value of the item.
      I would never ship a doll without a full trackable method (full trackable means that you can track it for its full path, not only in the shipping country).
      About the insurance, well this is something buyers and sellers have to agree on and I do not discuss about it here, as it is not mandatory to succesful deliver a parcel to Italy.


      So, there is nothing difficult about shipping to Italy.


      I am always available to help about it, anyway. Just PM me if needed.

      I hope this can be useful to avoid unpleasant marketplace experience for everyone :)


      p.s.
      For the mods: I hope it's ok to write this here, it seems to me the better place to explain the problem and the situation ^^
       
      #1 Cenarius, Feb 28, 2010
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    2. This is helpful. I see some good artists in Italy, but I've always been wary of shipping a head out there because of the rumors. Thanks for easing my worries a bit.
       
      #2 Araignette, Mar 1, 2010
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    3. This is good information. We were never uncomfortable sending to Italy before. BUT.. I have a claim in now for over 8 months because Italy refused doll wigs stating that they are not an acceptable item to send in to their country. They are expensive wigs and I am out quite a bit of money.

      Some of our Italian experiences have been unbelievable but nothing will be served to reiterate them.

      It is indeed a sad situation and really upsets us to remove this demographic from our doll shop business but we have to make sound business decisions.

      Again, thank you but afraid we are going to have to stand with our decision after so many months of anguish making it.

      Julie Collins
      Jasmines Cottage
      Woodstock Georgia USA
       
      #3 mrscollins, Mar 6, 2010
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    4. I've not had issues sending things to Italy so far; however because of this thread - http://www.denofangels.com/forums/s...aly-has-deemed-Doll-Wigs-as-a-Prohibited-item - I looked at the postal regulations on the USPS website about Italy - http://pe.usps.com/text/imm/il_008.htm

      The part that concerned me was this statement - "Haberdashery and sewn articles of any kind, including trimmings and lace; handkerchiefs; scarves; shawls, needlework including stockings and gloves; bonnets, caps, and hats of any kind." Since everything I make, I sew including wigs and stockings, this makes it sound like I can't send anything there. Do you know if that statement is correct?
       
      #4 beachgirl, Mar 9, 2010
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    5. Beachgirl, I always buy clothes online ^^ and I have no problem at all.
      I received stockings, gloves, hats, everything :) !
      About the: Hair and articles made of hair. They mean Human Hair!
      The important thing is to put all the data hat the buyer asks to put! Like the Codice Fiscale! Or the declaration!
      That's why putting "doll" or "toy" on a package isn't a very good idea.
      You have to write it in a clear way so customs can understand that they're not toys for children, but things for adults.
      It is not so dangerous to ship here!!! I send items and I receive them without problems at all!
      There are a lot of rules in EVERY country, the important thing is to be very clear when u fill the shipping form!
       
      #5 Stella di Carta, Mar 16, 2010
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    6. Hi all, I'm relatively new, but it has seemed in the past that many people in the marketplace will not sell dolls to those living in Italy*...and I wonder why?? Is it because of paypal issues with refunds? Is it because of lack of tracking? Is it because a larger number of 'did not arrive' cases come from Italy? Or return policies? Is it simply personal?
      I really haven't the foggiest what makes this country targetted, but I would like to arm myself with information about it. Through other venues, it has come up that an Italian interest in my dollies might have me shipping over seas, but i'm nervous.

      A search thru the threads didn't turn up other discussion about shipping to Italy. Mods: if there is, pls feel free to delete and please direct me to this convo.

      **I sincerely mean no disrepect at all to Italy. It's one of my favourite countries in the world, and where I honeymooned, <3 art rennaisance etc etc.:aheartbea


      Many thanks for giving me the heads up, all.
       
      #6 crystalsfordollies, Sep 7, 2010
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    7. The problem is actually with Poste Italiane and Italian Customs. They have a tendancy to hold things hostage in customs if they are marked wrong. The post system also has a penchant for loosing things. However given that information I would not hesitate to ship something to Italy as long as it is packed well TRACKED AND INSURED. That should protect you enough. There are no more problems with buyers/sellers in Italy than there are here in the US. It's purely a postal system issue.
       
      #7 BatLoverGirl, Sep 7, 2010
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    8. Follow up: In case it will help any North Americans shipping to Italy (I shipped FROM the USA, and I am Canadian...)
      *Warn your buyer that it will definitely take upwards of 4 weeks to receive their package.
      *Never mark as 'toy'.
      *Be as descriptive as possible, and never use the word 'hair' or 'fur'. As i've found, it makes for a real hassel!
      Hope this helps.. :)
       
      #8 crystalsfordollies, Dec 5, 2010
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