There are several ways to send things between Italy and the USA, from a small parcel at the post office to a full container of furniture. Which is cheapest depends on what you are sending, how much of it and how quickly it needs to arrive. This guide groups the options into postal services, couriers, freight and moving companies, and a few specialists.
Prices change often, and since 2025 US import duties have added a new layer of cost to anything sent from Italy, so treat this as a map of the options and get current quotes before you decide.
Postal services
United States Postal Service (USPS)
For parcels from the US, USPS is usually the cheapest option. Priority Mail International, including flat-rate boxes, is the standard choice, and Priority Mail Express International is faster but costs more. Prices depend on the size and weight of the parcel, and USPS publishes an international price calculator on its website.
Poste Italiane (Italian Postal Service)
Poste Italiane offers several international services, from Postapriority Internazionale for small items to the Poste Delivery International range for parcels. Since the US ended its duty exemption for low-value parcels on 29 August 2025, every shipment of goods to the US, including gifts, must have its US duties paid before it arrives. Poste Italiane now does this through its Servizio Gestione Dazi, available at post offices since 23 February 2026: you pay the duty when you send the parcel, plus a handling fee (€1.22 including VAT at the time of writing).
Courier services
UPS
UPS offers international services such as UPS Worldwide Express and UPS Worldwide Saver. It is faster and easier to track than the post, but for small parcels it usually costs considerably more. The price depends on size, weight and speed.
DHL
DHL Express Worldwide is the main international service. Like UPS, it is quick and reliable, handles the customs paperwork, and is priced for speed rather than economy.
Freight and moving services
Rainier Overseas
Rainier Overseas handles larger loads, such as household goods and furniture, including full 20-foot containers (FCL) and shared container space for smaller moves.
Schumacher Cargo Logistics
Schumacher Cargo Logistics offers international shipping and moving services, including containers of personal belongings from the US to Italy. As with any mover, ask for a written quote that shows what is included at each end.
International Movers Network
International Movers Network provides full international relocation and shipping services. Rates depend on the size of the shipment, the shipping method and any extra services, such as packing or storage.
Shipping marketplaces and comparison sites
Platforms like Parcel Monkey, and uShip let you compare rates from several carriers at once. Prices vary widely, and these platforms sometimes offer discounts on the carriers’ standard rates.
Other specialist providers
Send My Bag
Send My Bag specialises in shipping luggage and personal belongings worldwide. It can be a practical alternative to paying excess baggage when you move with a few suitcases rather than a houseful.
U Pack We Ship
uPakWeShip offers international shipping and moving services for both small shipments and larger household goods, with several container sizes. Rates depend on the size of the shipment, the type of container, origin, destination and extra services.
Customs, duties and quotes
Whatever you choose, factor in customs. Goods sent into Italy from outside the EU are generally subject to import VAT and sometimes duty, although gifts between private individuals are exempt up to a value of €45. If you are moving your household to Italy, belongings you have owned and used for at least six months can usually be imported free of duty and VAT under the EU’s transfer-of-residence relief, provided you have lived outside the EU for at least 12 months. Your mover or customs agent can handle the paperwork.
Get written quotes from two or three providers for the same shipment, check what is included at each end, and confirm the current rules for duties before you send anything valuable.
