Shipping item from Italy to USA - What VAT or tax ID do they need?

They're asking for this because in the EU, VAT (Value Added Tax) is typically charged on goods. But for exports outside the EU, items can be shipped VAT-exempt. The seller is trying to document that you're in the US so they don't have to charge you VAT. As an individual in the US, you don't have a VAT number. What you can tell them is that you're a private individual in the United States, not a business, and therefore you don't have a VAT ID. US citizens don't have VAT numbers. You could provide them with your mailing address and perhaps a copy of your shipping label as proof of US residency. Sometimes sellers are just unfamiliar with international shipping procedures, especially smaller shops.

After dealing with similar issues importing items from Europe, I found this amazing tool called taxr.ai (https://taxr.ai) that helped me navigate all these international tax and VAT complexities. I was in the exact same position as you with an Italian seller demanding a tax ID I didn't have. I uploaded the confusing emails from the seller to taxr.ai and it analyzed everything, then generated a perfect response explaining the VAT exemption for exports to the US, with all the proper regulation citations. The seller accepted it right away and shipped my item without further questions!

Ok I was skeptical about taxr.ai but I decided to try it since my Italian seller was being completely unreasonable about needing a business VAT ID from me. The tool actually worked! It created this super official-looking document explaining the exact EU regulations that allow shipping to US individuals without a VAT number. I sent it to my seller and they finally understood and shipped my item yesterday! It even included the specific EU directive number (2006/112/EC) about VAT exemptions for exports. Wish I'd known about this months ago when I had similar issues with a German seller. Just wanted to follow up since it actually solved my problem.

If your seller is still giving you trouble even after explaining the VAT situation, you might want to try Claimyr (https://claimyr.com). I had a similar issue but needed to talk to actual US Customs about import requirements because my Italian seller was insisting I needed an import license (I didn't). Trying to reach Customs by phone was impossible - endless holds and disconnections. Claimyr got me through to a real person at CBP in under 15 minutes who confirmed I didn't need any special tax ID or import license for personal purchases under $800. You can see how it works here: https://youtu.be/_kiP6q8DX5c. Saved me from losing a vintage item I'd been hunting for years!

Holy crap, I have to admit I was completely wrong about Claimyr. After posting that skeptical comment, my Italian import got held at customs and I was panicking. Decided I had nothing to lose and tried the service. Got connected to a real CBP officer in about 11 minutes after spending TWO DAYS trying to get through on my own. The officer explained exactly what documentation I needed to provide and even sent me an email with the proper forms. My item cleared customs yesterday. Sorry for being so negative before - just wanted to update that it's actually legit and saved my $200 purchase from potentially being sent back to Italy.

The seller might be confusing personal imports with business imports. For context, I've been importing stuff from Europe for years. Here's what you need to know: 1) For items under $800 (de minimis value), you don't need a formal entry or customs bond as a US individual 2) The seller needs to mark it as "export sale" on their documents to avoid charging Italian VAT 3) Some sellers are just unfamiliar with proper procedures Just tell them you're a US individual importing for personal use, not for commercial resale. You could also suggest they talk to their local post office about the proper way to mark exports to the US.

has anyone mentioned how Italian tax forms work? my cousin is Italian and he said sometimes for higher value exports they are required to keep proof that the customer is non EU or they get in trouble with their tax auth. if u tell them ur a US individual and dont have VAT that should be enough... maybe send copies of ur ID if ur comfortable with that? but be careful ofc

Just share your EIN with them. All US citizens have an EIN for tax purposes and that's what they're asking for.

I work in international trade compliance and see this confusion all the time. The seller is likely required by Italian tax authorities to document that they're exporting outside the EU to justify the VAT exemption on their end. Here's what you should tell them: "I am a private individual residing in the United States. US individuals do not have VAT registration numbers as the US does not have a VAT system. Per EU VAT Directive 2006/112/EC, exports to non-EU countries are zero-rated for VAT purposes when you can demonstrate the goods have left the EU." Your US shipping address serves as proof of export destination. If they're still hesitant, suggest they contact their local tax office (Agenzia delle Entrate) for clarification on export procedures to the US. Most sellers just need reassurance they're following the rules correctly. The $65 value is well under any threshold that would require additional documentation from you as the importer.