Living the GOOD LIFE for the REST OF YOUR LIFE!
MOVING HOUSEHOLD GOODS
TO ITALY!
Before you start packing boxes for your move to Italy, be sure you have a “Permesso di Soggiorno” in hand. That will be necessary before any shipment will be allowed into the country. Also, go to your local “comune” (the community magistrate) and he will supply you with the paperwork acknowledging that you have either purchased or rented a property.
You are allowed one shipment of household goods duty and VAT free. This needs to take place within six (6) months of your receiving your “Permesso”.
Be sure that any household goods you ship into the country are “used.” Wash those new clothes before packing them. The same with those new towels or computer. It is entirely up to the customs inspector to declare your goods as either new or used, so make his job easier.
If you are renting property at first, more than likely it will be furnished. Before you move everything, pack it all away, label the boxes, and put them into storage until you discover you can’t live without a specific item. THEN have it shipped over.
If you love your lamps, bring them and have them rewired to 220V current.
Rethink your bed. European beds are different sizes to those used in the U.S. Only if you LOVE your bed itself, should you consider shipping it. Just remember to order enough sheets for a while, and be sure you wash them before packing so they will look used.
Bring your area rugs. Italian floors are generally marble or tile and the rugs will provide an added layer of warmth in the winter months.
Do Not bring large electrical appliances from the U.S. to Italy. They won’t work, and may even blow up your new place! Small appliances for the countertop will work with a transformer.
Investigate purchasing a “Dual-Region” DVD player once you arrive in Italy. It will then play all your U.S. DVDs and those you will purchase in Italy. Otherwise, leave your DVDs in the U.S.
Your laptop computer will work as long as you purchase a power plug that adapts to the European plugs. Desktop computers are iffy – many have a switch that converts it from 110V to 220V. Find it. Use it. Monitors aren’t so easily adapted. Check your manual since you need it to work at 50Hz.
The best source of household goods information is the network of friends you will make as you prepare to move to Italy. Listen to them, and learn from their mistakes!
Another suggestion is to totally downsize your belongings. A feng shui theory is to clear off your shelves and make room for the new. That’s how you should approach packing your household for a move to Italy. Keep your belongings to a minimum and let your new found Italian treasures fill up your surroundings!