How to export spirits from Italy

• Tax Warehouse Operating License (Licenza fiscale di esercizio per deposito fiscale) and Excise Identification Code (Codice accisa), issued by the Agenzia delle Dogane e dei Monopoli (ADM)
• Economic Operators Registration and Identification (EORI) number, issued by ADM / EU Customs authorities
• Registered Exporter (REX) system status or Approved Exporter authorization for proof of preferential origin, granted by ADM
• Food business sanitary notification (SCIA / Notifica Sanitaria ex Regulation EC 852/2004), registered with the local health authority (Azienda Sanitaria Locale - ASL)
• Production and detention registration on the SIAN digital portal for spirits and viticultural distillates, supervised by MASAF / ICQRF

Spirits are typically held and dispatched under duty suspension (regime sospensivo) from an authorized tax warehouse (deposito fiscale) covered by a mandatory financial guarantee lodged with ADM. For non-EU exports, goods travel under duty suspension accompanied by an electronic Administrative Document (e-AD) generated via EMCS, which is cross-referenced with the customs export declaration in the AIDA system. Once the customs office of exit electronically certifies the physical departure of the goods from EU territory, the movement is completed and the excise liability/guarantee is discharged. If duty-paid spirits are exported, movements use an electronic Simplified Administrative Document (e-DAS), and the exporter may claim an excise duty drawback/refund from ADM subject to presenting formal proof of exit or delivery.

• Electronic Administrative Document (e-AD) with Administrative Reference Code (ARC) for duty-suspended movements, or e-DAS for duty-paid goods
• Customs Export Declaration and Export Accompanying Document (DAE / AED) carrying a Movement Reference Number (MRN)
• Commercial invoice (Fattura commerciale) specifying alcohol by volume (% ABV), quantities, and Incoterms
• Packing list (Distinta colli) with bottle, case, and weight specifications
• Certificate of Origin (Certificato di Origine) issued by the local Chamber of Commerce, or movement certificates (EUR.1 / EUR-MED) issued by ADM, or origin statements by REX-registered exporters
• Transport documents (CMR consignment note, Bill of Lading, or Air Waybill)
• Certificate of Analysis (Certificato di Analisi) issued by an accredited laboratory for spirit parameters
• Certificate of Free Sale (Certificato di Libera Vendita) issued by the Chamber of Commerce or health authorities if requested by the destination country

Bottled spirits must conform to EU spirit definitions and category rules established under Regulation (EU) 2019/787, while also aligning with specific mandatory labelling laws of the importing country. For spirits bearing protected Italian Geographical Indications (GIs such as Grappa or Mirto di Sardegna) under Regulation (EU) 2024/1143, products must satisfy registered product specifications verified by recognized consortia and ICQRF. Age statements and barrel-aging claims require official tracking in aging registers validated by ADM. Certificates of analysis and certificates of free sale or export health documentation are routinely required by destination customs to verify alcoholic content and food safety standards.

• EU-UK Trade and Cooperation Agreement (United Kingdom) - tariff-free treatment and recognition of spirit standards
• EU-Canada Comprehensive Economic and Trade Agreement (CETA) (Canada) - duty-free market access and protection for Italian spirit geographical indications
• EU-Japan Economic Partnership Agreement (Japan) - tariff elimination and GI protection
• EU-South Korea Free Trade Agreement (South Korea) - duty-free access for European spirits
• EU-Singapore Free Trade Agreement and EU-Vietnam Free Trade Agreement - reduced or zero customs tariffs
• EU-Switzerland Free Trade Agreement - duty exemptions and mutual acceptance of beverage definitions

• SIMEST Fondo 394/81 'Certificazioni e Consulenze' (SIMEST / MAECI) - provides soft loans and non-repayable grants (contributi a fondo perduto) to fund international product certifications, trademark protection, and foreign market consulting
• SIMEST Fondo 394/81 'E-Commerce' and 'Fiere ed Eventi' (SIMEST / MAECI) - subsidized financing and grants for international trade fair participation and setting up foreign digital sales channels
• SACE Export Credit & Guarantees (SACE) - government-backed credit insurance, bonding facilities, and supplier credit financing to protect against foreign buyer non-payment
• ICE-ITA Export Promotion Programs (Agenzia ICE / Italian Trade Agency) - subsidized collective exhibition stands, business matching, and international promotional campaigns

The United States is the primary destination for Italian spirits outside the European Union. Key intra-EU export destinations include Germany, France, and Spain, alongside major non-EU European markets including the United Kingdom and Switzerland, as well as Canada.

• Failing to confirm the electronic exit notification (visto uscire) in the AIDA customs system, leaving the EMCS movement unclosed and resulting in tax demands or forfeited excise deposits from ADM
• Discrepancies in alcoholic strength (% ABV), nominal volume, or composition between export declarations, analysis certificates, and physical bottle labels
• Dispatching goods under duty suspension without verifying that the consignee has an active and valid excise authorization in the EU System for Exchange of Excise Data (SEED)
• Overlooking destination-specific mandatory labelling or approval mandates, such as US TTB Certificate of Label Approval (COLA) rules or local fiscal stamp requirements

1. Agenzia delle Dogane e dei Monopoli - Export Procedures and Control
2. SIMEST - Finanziamenti Agevolati Fondo 394
3. Federvini - Federazione Italiana Produttori Esportatori ed Importatori Vini e Spirits
4. European Commission - DG TAXUD Excise Movement and Control System