INTERNATIONAL REMOVALS · LONDON TO ITALY 🇮🇹

Removals from London to Italy. Full Service, Door to Door.

We pack, dismantle, load, transport and unpack everything at your new home in Italy. Exclusive vehicle, no shared loads. Fixed price includes packing materials, ferry, fuel, insurance, road tolls and customs. Delivery in 4 to 5 days.

Get Free Quote0208 521 8000

90+
Moves completed to Italy
Fixed Price
The price we quote is the price you pay
4 to 5 days
Door-to-door delivery time

A Complete Move to Italy. Not Just a Van.

Most international removals companies rent you a van and leave you to figure out the rest. You pack, you load, you deal with customs, and if something goes wrong at the border, that is your problem.

Octagon is different. We arrive at your London home, pack every room, wrap every item, dismantle all furniture, load everything into our exclusive vehicle, handle the UK export declaration, cross the Channel, drive through France, clear your goods through Italian customs (Agenzia delle Dogane) via our licensed customs agent, deliver to your new home, reassemble everything, and unpack every box.

One fixed price. One person you can call at any point. No surprises on moving day or at the border.

EVERYTHING INCLUDED

What's Included in Your Move to Italy

Full Packing Service

We pack every room, wrap every item, label every box. You do not touch a thing unless you want to.

Furniture Dismantling & Reassembly

Taken apart at your London home, rebuilt exactly as it was at your new home.

Itemised Inventory

Every item catalogued and photographed before loading. Full list provided to you and used for customs documentation.

Exclusive Vehicle

Your belongings travel in our vehicle only. No shared loads, no waiting for a container to fill.

Customs Assistance

We handle the paperwork and work with our licensed customs agents to clear your goods correctly.

Dedicated Consultant

One person manages your move from first call to final delivery. Available throughout the journey.

Fixed Price: Everything Included

Packing materials, ferry, fuel, insurance, road tolls and customs agent fees. Nothing added later.

Secure Storage

If there is a gap between collection and delivery, your belongings are held in our CCTV-monitored storage facility in London.

CLARITY FROM DAY ONE

What We Handle vs. What You Handle

We Handle

  • ✓ Full packing of every room
  • ✓ All packing materials (boxes, wrap, tape, wardrobe boxes)
  • ✓ Furniture dismantling at your London home
  • ✓ Itemised inventory and photographic evidence
  • ✓ Loading into our exclusive vehicle
  • ✓ UK export customs declaration
  • ✓ Ferry booking and Channel crossing
  • ✓ Transit through France into Italy
  • ✓ Italian customs clearance via licensed agent
  • ✓ Delivery to your new Italian address
  • ✓ Furniture reassembly
  • ✓ Full unpack at your new home
  • ✓ Removal of all packing materials

You Handle

  • ✓ Apply for your codice fiscale at the Italian consulate in London (free, often same-day)
  • ✓ Notify HMRC you are leaving the UK (P85 form - takes 10 minutes online)
  • ✓ Register your residency at your local Comune within 20 days of arrival
  • ✓ Open an Italian bank account (Intesa Sanpaolo, UniCredit, or Banca Mediolanum)
  • ✓ Register with the SSN (Servizio Sanitario Nazionale) for healthcare
  • ✓ Be present at both ends of the move (or nominate a trusted representative)

CUSTOMS & DOCUMENTS

Customs & Documents, What You Need to Know

Italy is an EU member state. Since Brexit, moving household goods from the UK to Italy crosses an international customs border. Your belongings must be declared through the Agenzia delle Dogane e dei Monopoli (Italian customs and excise authority).

Transfer of Residence (Trasferimento di Residenza) Relief

Transfer of Residence relief allows you to import your used household goods into Italy without paying import duty or IVA (VAT at 22%), provided you qualify: you must be genuinely relocating your main residence to Italy, you must have been resident outside the EU for at least 12 consecutive months, and the goods must have been owned and used by you for at least 6 months. You must obtain a certificato di residenza from your local Comune and an Italian codice fiscale (tax identification number).

Clearance time: 3 to 7 working days - Italian customs can be slower than northern European countries

Required Documents

  • ✓ Valid passport
  • ✓ Certificato di residenza (certificate of residence) from your local Comune in Italy
  • ✓ Proof of UK residence for the past 12 months (P60, council tax bills, or bank statements)
  • ✓ Italian employment contract (if moving for work)
  • ✓ Codice fiscale (Italian tax identification number)
  • ✓ Detailed, valued and signed packing inventory listing every item
  • ✓ Self-certificate confirming goods are for personal use and owned for 6+ months
  • ✓ Signed authorisation for our customs agent to act as your direct representative

What happens if documentation is incomplete

If documentation is incomplete, Italian customs (Agenzia delle Dogane) will assess your household goods for import duty and IVA at 22%. Italian customs can require physical inspection of goods, which causes delays.

The codice fiscale is essential - without it, your customs declaration cannot be processed. Apply for your codice fiscale at the Italian consulate in London before departure. It is free and can often be issued the same day.

Our Customs Agent

We work with licensed customs agents registered with the Italian Agenzia delle Dogane e dei Monopoli. The vehicle reports directly to our agent upon arrival in Italy. Your goods are professionally cleared without you visiting any customs office.

Your Route

London → Dover → Calais → Paris → Lyon → Turin → Rome

WHAT YOU CANNOT TAKE

Items Restricted or Prohibited for Italy

Firearms and ammunition

Requires Italian firearms permit (porto d'armi). Cannot be included in household goods.

Narcotics and controlled substances

Strictly prohibited. Prescription medication requires doctor's letter and Ministry of Health declaration.

Fresh food, meat, and dairy

EU phytosanitary rules prohibit import from non-EU countries.

Plants and soil

Require phytosanitary certificate. Potted plants with soil are rejected at the border.

Counterfeit goods

Seized by the Guardia di Finanza.

Fireworks and explosives

Dangerous goods - prohibited in household removals.

Items purchased less than 6 months ago

Do not qualify for Transfer of Residence relief - duty and 22% IVA may apply.

Cultural artefacts and antiquities

Italy has strict laws on cultural property. Antiques may need export clearance from both UK and Italy.

WHERE WE DELIVER

Popular Destinations in Italy

Rome

Lazio

Italy's eternal capital. Rich history, vibrant culture, and a large international community. The centre of Italian government and a major hub for international organisations.

Milan

Lombardy

Italy's financial and fashion capital. The highest salaries in Italy, excellent international schools, and superb transport links. The busiest destination for British professionals.

Florence

Tuscany

The heart of the Renaissance. Popular with art lovers, academics, and retirees. Smaller and more manageable than Rome or Milan, with outstanding food and wine.

Turin

Piedmont

An underrated city with excellent quality of life. Home to Fiat and a growing tech sector. More affordable than Milan with easy access to the Alps.

Bologna

Emilia-Romagna

Italy's culinary capital. Home to Europe's oldest university. A prosperous, well-connected city with a strong sense of community.

Naples

Campania

A vibrant, chaotic city with incredible food and proximity to the Amalfi Coast and Pompeii. Significantly cheaper than northern cities.

Tuscany (Rural)

Tuscany

Rolling hills, vineyards, and restored farmhouses. The most popular rural Italian destination for British families and retirees.

Lake Como

Lombardy

Stunning lakeside living close to Milan and the Swiss border. Popular with high-net-worth individuals and families.

LIFE IN ITALY

Cost of Living in Italy

Italy is cheaper than London, especially outside Milan and Rome. Southern Italy and rural Tuscany offer particularly good value. Food and wine are outstanding and affordable.

€1,000–1,500/mo
1-bed flat in Rome or Milan
vs £2,000+ in London
€500–800/mo
1-bed flat in smaller cities
Bologna, Turin, Naples
€1,400–2,100
Monthly living costs
single person, comfortable
~25–40%
Cheaper than London
varies significantly by region

QUESTIONS ANSWERED

Frequently Asked Questions

How long does a removal to Italy take?

Door-to-door delivery from London to Italy typically takes 4–5 days. This includes packing, loading, ferry crossing, transit, customs clearance, delivery and unpacking.

What documents do I need for customs when moving to Italy?

You will need a valid passport, proof of UK residence for 12 months, proof of your new address in Italy, a detailed packing inventory, and a non-cession declaration. We guide you through every document.

Do I have to pay import duty on my household goods?

If you qualify for Transfer of Residence relief, your used household goods can be imported duty-free. You must have lived outside the EU for at least 12 months and the goods must have been used for at least 6 months. We handle the application.

Is the price you quote the final price?

Yes. The price we quote after your survey is fixed. It includes packing materials, ferry, fuel, road tolls, insurance and customs agent fees. Nothing is added on moving day.

Do you share the vehicle with other clients?

No. Your belongings travel in our exclusive vehicle. We do not use shared loads or groupage. Your items are the only items on the truck.

Can you move a piano or antiques to Italy?

Yes. We are specialist handlers of pianos, antiques, and high-value items. Each piece is wrapped, protected, and handled by experienced movers. We have moved grand pianos, art collections, and fragile antiques across Europe.

What happens at the border after Brexit?

Since Brexit, household goods crossing from the UK to EU countries like Italy require customs declarations on both sides. Our licensed customs agent handles the entire process: you do not visit any customs office.

Do I need to be present for the move?

Ideally yes, at both ends. However, you can nominate a trusted representative to be present on your behalf at either the collection or delivery address.

How far in advance should I book?

We recommend booking 6 to 8 weeks in advance, especially for summer moves. This allows time for customs documentation, ferry booking, and route planning. We can accommodate shorter timelines when needed.

Do you offer storage if there's a gap between moves?

Yes. If there is a gap between your collection and delivery dates, your belongings are stored in our CCTV-monitored, insured facility in London at no additional charge for reasonable periods.

Get a Free Quote for Your Move to Italy

Call us on 0208 521 8000 for a free quote within 1 hour.

Get Free Quote