Customs clearance for household goods and personal effects is experiencing significant delays at the Port of Genoa and several other Italian customs offices, as officials await new operational guidance.
According to an update from Serenella Maggi, secretary general of Italian national trade association AITI, and Barbara Savelli, IAM European CMMB representative, discussions with local Customs and Anti-Fraud authorities revealed that Genoa’s customs offices are currently on hold pending directives from the Central Customs Administration in Rome on inspection and risk-assessment procedures tied to a shipment’s country of origin.
Until those instructions are formally issued, a significant number of customs declarations remain suspended, beyond the control of Italian moving companies and customs agents, and are generating additional detention, demurrage, and port-related charges that operators cannot manage or prevent.
AITI said it is actively engaging with relevant authorities through lobbying channels and is promoting meetings with Customs representatives to highlight the operational difficulties and customer impact the delays are causing. The association reported that local authorities are aware of the inconvenience and have already begun preliminary documentary reviews aimed at expediting clearance once the new instructions are formally released. AITI said it will continue monitoring the situation and provide further updates as they become available.
IAM Member Impact: Members with household goods shipments moving through Genoa or other Italian ports should build in additional time for customs clearance and warn customers of the increased potential for detention and demurrage charges.
Source: Member Contribution: Serenella Maggi, Secretary General, AITI; Barbara Savelli, European CMMB Representative