The government has included an amendment in the 2026 budget law which introduces a tax of 2 euros on each package shipped to Italy with a value of less than 150 euros. That is, almost all of the purchases made by Italian families. The measure, if approved, will come into force from 1 January 2026 and will concern both shipments from abroad and domestic ones, therefore also affecting purchases made on platforms such as Amazon, eBay or small Italian online shops. According to initial analyses, the new tax has no clearly defined purpose other than to “raise some money” for the state coffers. The government estimates it will recover between 150 and 200 million euros a year, a figure that will serve to cover other expenses foreseen in the budget. However, the measure raises doubts: it mainly affects small online purchases, those most common among families, and is added to a European initiative that will soon remove duty exemption for all goods under 150 euros, with the aim of discouraging the influx of low-priced goods, especially from China.
Who will pay the bill?
The tax, presented as a “contribution to covering administrative costs”, risks weighing on the shoulders of end consumers. In fact, couriers could decide to charge the extra 2 euros directly to the recipient of the package. This means that, starting from the new year, every small online purchase could cost more, with a direct impact on the family budget, especially in a period of inflation and economic difficulty for many families.
The government’s choice has sparked widespread criticism. Some observers point out that the measure, presented as a way to limit unfair competition from large foreign e-commerce portals, actually affects all citizens without distinction, without distinguishing between national and international purchases. Furthermore, the extension of the tax to Italian parcels also seems like a convenient solution to avoid problems with European regulations, which prohibit individual states from introducing unilateral duties.
The impact on families and small businesses
Consumer and trader associations have expressed concern: the tax risks penalizing especially low-income families, who often turn to e-commerce to save money, and small Italian businesses, which could see their profit margins further reduced. In an already difficult economic context, any increase in costs is perceived as a further obstacle to recovery.
In the next few days, Parliament will discuss and vote on the budget law. If the amendment is approved, the tax will come into force as early as January 1, 2026. Meanwhile, Italian families are preparing for a new increase in costs, while consumer associations are calling for greater clarity on the real objectives of the measure and who will really benefit from it.
At a time when many families struggle to make ends meet, every new tax is perceived as an extra burden. The question many are asking is: will this tax really serve to improve the country’s economy, or is it just a way to plug the state coffers at the expense of citizens? As Christians, we are called to reflect on how economic choices can promote the common good, social justice and solidarity, especially towards those who are more fragile.
