Last time I was in Italy, I asked the hotel I was staying at to ship several items back to my home in the states. I got home, and waited, but my items never showed up. I contacted the hotel, and they gave me the tracking number. The items made it to NY customs, but I never received it and I could never get any answers from the postal service there. Has anyone else had this issue? We are getting ready to take another trip there and I really want to ship wine, olive oil, and other items home. Does anyone have any advice for me, so that I can make sure I actually receive my items?
Thank you!
Posted by
Portland, OR
356 posts
On our past trips to Italy, we have had various agricultural products shipped to us with no issues. We purchased directly from the producers and to the best of my knowledge and memory, everything was shipped via FedEx. Shipping on average took anywhere from 3 to 12 weeks. All of the producers had prior experience with shipping internationally.
Posted by
Forest Grove, OR
11315 posts
FedEx is the way to go. If the seller cannot ship and guarantee the shipment, take your items to a MailBoxes, Etc., store. They do a marvelous job. It isn’t cheap but it is guaranteed against breakage and loss.
Posted by
Northamptonshire, England
32745 posts
Did you try speaking with NY Customs - they were probably waiting for a Duty payment, or found that one or more of the items was inadmissible.
Posted by
Reno, Nevada
1025 posts
I'm going to chime in for FedEx, although I had good luck with Mailboxes Etc., which has branches in most of the major cities. I don't know whether they like to ship fragile things like bottles, but they got all my leather goods and chachkes home without incident. The rate was around 100 euros for a box. There are a couple outlets in Rome, one in Naples, one in Sorrento, and one in Florence by the train station.
Posted by
Southeastern USA
996 posts
I've had items shipped to me from Italy without any issues, but I have also had other items go missing when going through the regular US postal system as well as coming through customs from other countries.
I think it's the luck of the draw.
Posted by
11156 posts
We have had good luck with FedEx, DHL and Mail Boxes Etc. shipping from Italy to the USA.
Posted by
NW Ohio
347 posts
I think the key is to have the seller, not the hotel, ship your product.