parcels are diverted to other EU countries to avoid the tax… “The measure has had a boomerang effect,” said Valentina Menin, director general of industry group Assaeroporti, which represents companies that manage 32 Italian airports, including Milan Malpensa, one of the country’s biggest cargo hubs. “The entire Italian logistics sector is losing business. When it decided to impose the tax as part of the 2026 budget, Rome expected to be able to raise €122 million this year and €245 million the following year. However, according to the Italian Customs Agency, the number of low-value parcels arriving directly in Italy from non-EU countries between 1 and 20 January was 36% lower than in the same period last year. According to current EU rules, once goods enter the single market and pass through customs on arrival, they can circulate freely without further checks or duties, allowing companies to easily avoid Italian handling fees…’Goods continue to enter Italy by truck, without paying the prescribed tariff, resulting in increased pollution and shifting traffic to other countries,’ he said. “The situation can only get worse if a solution is not found…” Financial Times
