What's the probelm with sending to Italy? o.O

[Starshinescustoms]

Hey,
Sorry if this sounds a bit of a weird question. But I've noticed an awful lot of people on ebay refuse to send to Italy. I was just wondering why? I tried to Google it just now, but didn't come up with much. From what I did read, I assume it's something to do with their customs? Is it the charges? Or the time taken?
Just wondering what makes Italy such a feared place for sellers

[ponylady]

I personally have never had a problem shipping there but there are horror stories out there. They are very restrictive about what comes into their country, so one must be careful as to what they write on customs forms. For instance they do not allow toys that are not wholly made of wood. So sending plastic toys there are a risk for sellers.  It has also been said their customs department is one of the worst. Here is USPS's list on what is not allowed:

 http://pe.usps.com/text/imm/il_008.htm

It's pretty extensive! I think folks just don't want to deal with a case being opened on them for things that are beyond their control.

[Icecrystalline]

Italy is known as a 'horror postal system'. It's been know bad things happen to ponies and it worries me. Hence why I won't ship there

[Nappercasper]

I don't send there because all my parcels i have sent out there do not reach their destination.

[Thunderwing]

*lol*  It says they prohibit "International parcels".  So how does anyone in Italy receive anything?

[Fransponies]

*lol*  It says they prohibit "International parcels".  So how does anyone in Italy receive anything?

That is just the end of the sentence above that says:
"Articles of platinum or gold; jewelry; and other valuable articles unless sent as insured Priority Mail
International parcels. "

  But I can see how you thought that.

[kitkatvintage]

Many sellers will write "collectible figure" or "collectible horse" on the customs form, so that the pony is not described as a "toy". Many Italian collectors know that their postal system can cause trouble, so they will request the package to be sent by a more expensive insured method. I can definitely understand not wanting to ship to a unknown person in Italy on eBay, but I don't have a problem shipping to Italian pony collectors on the boards.

[Starshinescustoms]

Wow! I feel really sorry for toy collectors in Italy And I thought our customs were bad over here!
I don't want to refuse to sell to Italy as I don't think it's fair to the collectors out there, but I will probably add something to my listings in future. Glad I found out before hand, though. I usually write 'Pony Figure' or something, but I wouldn't have thought twice before writing 'Toy Pony' on the customs form.

Thank you so much everyone for answering. I'm glad I found out before hand in case anyone from Italy buys from me.
Maybe I should go into business sneaking van loads of ponies across the border for the collectors out there 

[Ringlets]

Despite all the supposed restrictions I've never heard of anyone having an issue selling toys there. I've personally sold a lot of toys to Italian peeps over the years without any problems that way.  I think its a good thing for non Euro sellers to write horse figure or something avoiding the word "toy" just to be on the safe side though.  Since you are in the UK too, you dont need to worry about what to write on customs forms as we dont have to use those for EU countries including Italy 
Most problems come from things being delayed or going missing when they get to Italian customs . I personally think that it depends on which part of Italy you send to as well.  I've sent items there recorded delivery and by normal airmail without problems but since i did have one set of dolls go missing some years back if its a high value item then I always send it recorded delivery (international signed for airmail). I havent had any problems since