I like to travel with a small world-band radio, but I keep seeing boilerplate copy about there being a "small fee" to bring one into Italy, but nothing about how small. I'd hate to pack my radio only to have to deal with forms and fees at customs.
Posted by
Bromley, Kent,, UK
1829 posts
If so, must be a new regulation. We also travel with a small radio. We took one to Italy, in our hand luggage, in November 2008 and were not aware of any import requirements.
It may be just ignorance on our part but having travelled to Italy regularly over the last 30 years I hope that we would have picked up on this.
Posted by
Virginia, USA
5516 posts
Russell, I'm thinking that they must be referring to the "tv license" or "tv tax" that is prevalent in many European countries. In a lot of European countries there is a license fee (or tax) if you own a TV or a radio. For example, in the UK, if you have a tv you have to buy a tv license. You are subject to a big fine if you are caught without one. Supposedly, they have detection equipment that can sniff out your set. The money subsidizes the BBC.
I've never had a bag checked coming into Europe so I doubt that anyone would check. I do wonder how they would actually collect this fee for a tourist.