Northwest Horticultural Council

Export Manual

ITALY

Capital: Rome
Population: 60,964,931 (2024)
Currency: Euro
Official Language(s): Italian

Member of the European Union

I. CHEMICAL MAXIMUM RESIDUE LEVELS (MRLs)

Please click on the above link for a list of chemical MRLs.

II. CHEMICALS AND ADDITIVE INFORMATION

A. Chemical residue standards:

As a member of the European Union (EU), Italy applies Maximum Residue Levels (MRLs) as established by the EU as well as setting its own standards for chemicals not registered by the EU.

B. Monitoring chemical residues:

Italy monitors chemical residues on imported fruit in accordance with EU regulations (EC Directive 95/38/EC).

C. Restrictions on use of waxes:

The EU permits the use of white beeswax, yellow beeswax, candelilla wax, carnauba wax, and shellac on apples and pears (EC Directive 95/2/EC).

Morpholine is not allowed to be present as an additive to waxes or other food coatings. There is active enforcement of this prohibition.

III. ORGANIC FRUIT REGULATIONS

All producers and importers must comply with European Commission regulations regarding the production, labeling, certification, and control of organic foods. The U.S. organic standard has not yet been accepted by Italy. Therefore, imported product needs to be certified by a U.S. certifying entity and the Italian importer must request a special import permit. Please refer to the Organic Fruit Regulations section of the European Union page of this manual for more information.

IV. TARIFFS

As a member of the European Union (EU), Italy imposes the EU’s tariff schedule and entry price system on apple, pear and cherry imports. Please refer to the EU page for additional information.

V. NON-TARIFF BARRIERS

A. Labeling requirements:

European Union (EU) labeling requirements apply. Please refer to labeling requirements in the EU page.

B. Licenses and quotas:

EU licensing/quota regulations, if any, apply. Please refer to the EU page for additional information.

C. Currency Issues:

None.

D. Pest and plant disease restrictions:

Please refer to the EU page for specific restrictions which apply to all EU member countries.

Italy