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Hefty
fines are imposed on Tourists purchasing
counterfeit goods while visiting Italy
As part of our ongoing commitment to ensure
the safety and security of travelers, the
Italian Government Tourist Board strongly
recommends that tourists do not, under any
circumstances, attempt to purchase any
counterfeit items, as this may end up
costing them well more than an authentic
product.
As of May 2005 a new legislation was
implemented (which carries fines of up to
10,000 Euros for people caught purchasing
counterfeit products, and criminal charges
for anyone caught selling counterfeit
goods.) It aims at a national wide crackdown
on the sellers and buyers of counterfeit
items, i.e. purses, sunglasses, watches,
belts, etc bearing luxury labels such as
Prada, Gucci, Fendi only to name a few.
Customs Regulations
Luggage is examined on entering and leaving
Italy. Free entry is allowed for personal
effects: clothing (new and used), books,
camping and household equipment, fishing
tackle, 1 pair of skis, 2 tennis racquets,
computer, CD player with 10 CD's, tape
recorder or Dictaphone, baby carriage, 2
still cameras with 10 rolls of film for each
camera, 1 movie camera, binoculars, personal
jewelry, portable radio set (subject to a
small license fee), 400 cigarettes and a
quantity of cigars or pipe tobacco not
exceeding 500 grams (1.1 lb).
All items mentioned above may be imported
duty-free only on condition that they are
for personal use and are not be sold, given
away or traded. A maximum of two bottles of
wine and one bottle of hard liquor per
person may be brought in duty-free. The
bottles must not be open. A maximum of 4.4
lbs. of coffee, 6.6 lbs. of sugar and 2.2
lbs. of cocoa are allowed duty-free.
Overseas tourists arriving in Italy after
visiting other countries are allowed to
carry with them souvenirs purchased in other
countries up to a total value of $500 and
only a verbal declaration is required.
Purchases may include up to a half litre of
perfume.
Exports
from Italy
There are no restrictions on gifts purchased
in Italy except for antiques and works of
art. These require the authorization of the
Ministero dei Beni Culturali e Ambientali.
Canadian
Regulations on Purchases Abroad
Any person residing in Canada returning from
a trip abroad can qualify for personal
exemption. All articles acquired abroad,
whether purchased or received as gifts, or
purchased at a duty free shop, either abroad
or in Canada, must be declared by the
traveler on return to Canada.
U.S.
Regulations on Purchases Abroad
Each U.S. tourist may bring back to the U.S.
duty-free $400 worth of goods purchased
abroad. The goods must accompany the
traveler. A flat rate of 10% is assessed on
the next $1,000 worth of goods purchased.
Parcels containing gifts may be sent from
abroad to the U.S. duty-free, providing the
total value of such parcels received by one
person, one day does not exceed $50. Each
package should be marked "Unsolicited Gift".
The amount paid and the contents of the
package should be declared.
Passport
Regulations
A visa is not required for a U.S. or
Canadian citizens holding a valid passport
unless they expect to stay in Italy more
than 90 days.
N.B.:
No visas (and no extension to previously
issued visas) may be granted to tourists who
are already on Italian territory.
For other questions on passport or visa
regulations check the official websites:
Embassy of Italy - Washington, DC
www.ambwashingtondc.esteri.it
Embassy of Italy - Ottawa
www.ambottawa.esteri.it
Italy Ministry of Foreign Affairs - Entrance
and stay in Italy
http://www.esteri.it/MAE/EN
Traveling With Your Pet
As
of October 2, 2004 a new European Union
regulation (EC 998\2003) applies for the
non-commercial movement of pet animals
(cats, dogs, and ferrets) in the European
Union Member States.
Pets may enter Italy only if accompanied by
their owner or a person responsible for them
on behalf of the owner d uring
their movement in Italy, and are not
intended for sale. Up to a maximum of five
pet animals are permitted.
In accordance
with the above EC Regulation, it is
mandatory to obtain, for each pet, a
European Community Veterinary Certificate,
issued, in the country of origin, by a
certified veterinarian, containing
information about the pet's general state of
health and proving there is an effective
vaccination protection against rabies:
animals under the age of three months may
not travel to Europe since the anti-rabies
vaccine is not administered before the pet
is three months old.
Pet animals must be identifiable by a
clearly readable tattoo or an electronic
identification system
(microchip/transponder), which provides the
pet owner's name and address. The
certificate (issue date not to exceed 30
days prior to the departure date) is valid
for 4 months from the date of the official
veterinarian's signature or endorsement by
the competent
Animal and
Plant Health Inspection Service
(USDA U.S. Department of Agriculture's) or
Canadian Food Inspection Agency,
and is equivalent to the EU Pet Passport.
The certificate forms are available from
Italian diplomatic of consular
representatives, whose authentication or
certification is not needed.
To introduce pet animals in Italy from third
countries, it is not necessary to subject
the animals to tick or echinococcus
treatments. Parrots, parakeets, rabbits and
hares also require health certificates, and,
upon entering Italy, are subject, to
examination.
 In
Italy, it is mandatory to use a muzzle for
dogs that walk on the streets or any open
space without a leash, and a muzzle and a
leash for dogs in public places and public
transportation.
Registration for Tourists
The formality of registering with the police
within 3 days of a tourist's arrival in
Italy is attended to by the hotels one stays
with. If staying with friends or in a
private home, the visitor has to register in
person at the nearest police station within
a 3-day period. In Rome there is a special
police information office to assist
tourists.
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