Italy’s e-commerce sector is growing fast, above the global average of 11%; Italy’s e-commerce is set to hit 12.23% growth CAGR between 2023 and 2027.1
In 2021, 67% of Italians purchased from international websites.2
Driven by the COVID-19 pandemic, e-commerce in Italy has taken on in recent years. Today, two-thirds of the country’s 60 million people shop online.3
Where should you sell online in Italy?4
1. Amazon.it
Italian local site of the global retail giant.
2. Subito.it
An Italian online marketplace that allows users to buy and sell a wide range of products including cars, furniture, electronics, and more.
3. Ebay.it
Ebay.it is the Italian version of the globally popular retail website.
Offers a wide range of products including clothing, electronics, home appliances, and more.
5. Temu.com
Major fashion and accessories marketplace website.
6. Zalando.it
With a focus on fashion and lifestyle products, Zalando is a popular choice for Italian shoppers.
Free returns aren’t the e-commerce essential they once were in Italy. In 2022, 85% of Italian shoppers said they would buy more online if returns were free – but in 2023 that number had decreased to 65%.5
Fewer Italian shoppers see free returns as a major reason to buy.5
Italian consumers find the returns process frustrating. Make sure you offer a smooth returns process to improve customer satisfaction and encourage repeat purchases.5
Additionally, 93% almost always read the online retailer’s returns policy prior to placing an order.5
Cash on delivery is now rarely used, while ‘buy now, pay later’ options have increased rapidly in the last 5 years.
Understanding the key shopping events and holidays in Italy is crucial for maximizing your e-commerce sales. Here are some important dates to mark in your calendar:
Depending on the type of goods, you – the importer (consignee) – may need to provide additional information. For example:
Expect to pay VAT, duty and Duty Tax Importer Surcharge on most goods being imported to Italy. All goods coming from non-EU countries are subject to VAT, and duty is applied on shipments with a value of over €150 imported from countries outside the European Union.
Your customer generally pays customs charges – making for a poor customer experience. To solve this problem, DHL pays VAT, duties and any other customs clearance costs in advance on the receiver's behalf.
To speed up customs clearance procedures and deliver shipments as quickly as possible, DHL will:
See what DHL can do for you. Our complete international shipping service helps you offer first-class customer experiences.