# Moving to Italy from the USA

> Relocating to Italy from the United States — sea-freight costs, transit times, EU customs relief and Italian visa options including citizenship by descent (jure sanguinis).

Canonical: https://www.portunusai.com/moving-from-usa/italy
Direction: USA → Italy
Data last reviewed: 2026-06-15

## Typical moving costs

- Studio: $2,736–$4,320
- 1 bedroom: $4,176–$6,480
- 2 bedrooms: $5,616–$9,000
- 3 bedrooms: $8,280–$12,960
- 20ft container: $4,080–$6,240
- 40ft container: $6,800–$10,400

## Transit times

- New York → Genoa: 18–30 days
- Miami → Naples: 22–35 days
- Los Angeles → Livorno: 32–45 days

## Customs & import notes

- Italy is in the EU: used household goods enter duty/VAT-free under transfer-of-residence relief.
- Generally requires you lived outside the EU 12+ months and owned/used the goods 6+ months.
- A detailed inventory and Italian residence documentation are required at import.
- New items, alcohol/tobacco over limits and vehicles have separate rules.

## Visa & residency options in Italy

- Citizenship by descent (jure sanguinis): With a qualifying Italian ancestor you may claim Italian — and EU — citizenship.
- Elective Residence Visa: For those with stable passive income who will not work locally.
- Digital Nomad / remote-work visa: For remote workers and freelancers earning from abroad.
- Work / self-employment visa: Subject to Italy's annual decreto flussi quotas.

## Moving companies serving this route

- SDC International Shipping — Sea freight, Door-to-door overseas (https://www.sdcinternationalshipping.com/)
- International Van Lines — Best overall, Full-service moves (https://www.internationalvanlines.com/)
- Crown Relocations — Premium, Corporate relocation (https://www.crownrelo.com/)
- Seven Seas Worldwide — Budget, Small moves & students (https://www.sevenseasworldwide.com/)
- PSS International Removals — Worldwide shipping, Part & full loads (https://www.pssremovals.com/)
- Sirelo (compare multiple movers) — Compare several quotes at once (https://www.sirelo.com/)

## Related resources

- [Moving to the USA hub](https://www.portunusai.com/moving-to-usa)
- [Moving from the USA hub](https://www.portunusai.com/moving-from-usa)
- [Site-wide llms.txt](https://www.portunusai.com/llms.txt)