Italy delays 2‑euro tax on extra‑EU mini‑packages to October 2027

The Italian Parliament's Budget Committee is reviewing two identical amendments presented by Lega and Forza Italia that would shift the start date of the 2‑euro per‑package tax on mini‑parcels arriving from non‑EU countries from 1 October 2026 to 1 October 2027. The tax, originally slated for 1 January and subsequently postponed to 1 July and then 1 October 2026, aims to curb low‑value online imports from Asian platforms and to level the fiscal treatment of extra‑EU shipments.

Funding for the one‑year postponement, amounting to €183.8 million, would be drawn from the Fund for Structural Interventions in Economic Policy. Proponents argue the delay eases logistical burdens on carriers and prevents an immediate rise in consumer prices, while critics warn it postpones anticipated public revenue and may complicate customs procedures. The proposal follows multiple earlier delays and reflects ongoing debate over balancing domestic trade protection with the costs to consumers and businesses.