CUSTOMS DUTIES: AFGHANISTAN TO ITALY

Customs Duties and Import Regulations: Afghanistan to Italy

When exporting goods from Afghanistan to Italy, shipments must comply with European Union customs regulations and tariff classifications. Italy, as a member state of the European Union, applies the EU's common external tariff system to imports from non-EU countries, including Afghanistan. All goods entering Italian territory are subject to customs declaration and duty assessment based on their classification under the Combined Nomenclature (CN) system.

EU Tariff Classification System

The European Union uses an integrated three-component classification system for all imports:

• Harmonized System (HS): A global nomenclature developed by the World Customs Organization containing 5,000 commodity groups organized by sections, chapters (2 digits), headings (4 digits), and subheadings (6 digits)
• Combined Nomenclature (CN): The EU's eight-digit coding system that adds EU-specific codes and subdivisions to the HS system, serving as the EU's common customs tariff
• Integrated Tariff (TARIC): The most detailed system comprising the CN eight-digit code plus two additional digits, providing information on all applicable trade policy measures, protective measures, antidumping duties, and temporary duty suspensions

General Duty Rates

Customs duty rates for goods entering Italy vary significantly based on product classification under the CN/HS system. The following table illustrates typical duty rate ranges for common product categories:

Product Category	Typical HS Code Range	Duty Rate Information
Agricultural Products	01-24	Varies by HS code - contact our experts
Textiles and Apparel	50-63	Varies by HS code - contact our experts
Mineral Products	25-27	Varies by HS code - contact our experts
Chemical Products	28-38	Varies by HS code - contact our experts
Machinery and Equipment	84-85	Varies by HS code - contact our experts
Base Metals	72-83	Varies by HS code - contact our experts
Vehicles and Parts	86-89	Varies by HS code - contact our experts
Optical and Precision Instruments	90-97	Varies by HS code - contact our experts

Important Note: Each product must be classified under a specific CN code to determine the applicable duty rate. Rates may be subject to temporary suspensions, antidumping duties, or other protective measures. Consult the EU's Integrated Tariff database (TARIC) for precise rates applicable to your specific products.

Required Documentation

Exporters from Afghanistan must prepare and submit the following documentation to Italian customs authorities:

• Commercial Invoice with detailed product descriptions and values
• Packing List specifying contents and weight of each shipment
• Bill of Lading or Airway Bill for transportation
• Certificate of Origin from Afghanistan
• Customs Declaration Form (CN23 for parcels or formal entry documents for commercial shipments)
• Product-specific certificates or licenses (where applicable)
• Insurance documents
• Import license or permit (if required by product category)

Important Regulations

Exporters must be aware of the following key regulatory requirements:

• All goods must be declared to Italian customs authorities according to their CN classification
• The Combined Nomenclature is updated annually; always consult the latest version on the European Commission website
• Tariff codes determine not only duty rates but also applicable protective measures, antidumping duties, and non-tariff requirements
• The Integrated Tariff (TARIC) is updated daily and should be consulted for current regulations specific to your products
• Failure to properly classify goods can result in penalties, duty assessments, and shipment delays
• Certain products may be subject to import restrictions, prohibitions, or require special licensing

Trade Agreements and Preferential Access

Afghanistan does not currently have a preferential trade agreement with the European Union that would reduce or eliminate customs duties. Therefore, goods from Afghanistan are subject to the EU's standard Most-Favored-Nation (MFN) tariff rates. Exporters should verify current trade status and any applicable agreements through official EU and Italian trade authorities.

Additional Resources

For precise tariff information and duty rates specific to your products, consult the EU's Integrated Tariff (TARIC) database available on the European Commission Directorate-General for Taxation and the Customs Union website, or contact customs experts familiar with Afghan-Italian trade regulations.