Import-export of jewellery and precious metals: what Italian law

MONDAY, 31 MARCH 2025

The sale of precious-metal jewellery in Italy is governed by Legislative Decree 251/1999: fineness in thousandths, an identification mark and different rules for import and export.

The Italian goldsmithing industry, renowned for its craftsmanship and product quality, is subject to strict regulations that guarantee transparency and safety for consumers. The sale of jewellery in precious metals — gold, silver, platinum and palladium — requires compliance with precise obligations, set out mainly in Legislative Decree 251/1999.

Selling in Italy

The sale of precious-metal jewellery in Italy is governed by Legislative Decree 251/1999, which imposes two fundamental requirements: stating the legal fineness of the metal, expressed in thousandths (for example 750 for 18-carat gold), and applying an identification mark registered with the Chambers of Commerce. Without these details, the sale is prohibited, protecting consumers against potential fraud.

Imports and exports

Imports follow different rules depending on their origin. For products from the European Union or the European Economic Area, Article 5 of Legislative Decree 251/1999 allows marketing without the importer's mark, provided the piece bears a fineness in thousandths and an equivalent responsibility mark. For non-EU jewellery, it is instead mandatory to include the fineness in thousandths, the foreign producer's mark and that of the Italian importer. Exceptions apply for nations with mutual recognition agreements, such as Switzerland.

Since 15 December 2023, Italy's accession to the Vienna Convention on the control of precious metals has marked a turning point for exports: companies can apply the Common Control Mark through the laboratories of the Chambers of Commerce of Alessandria-Asti, Arezzo-Siena and Vicenza. Recognised in 21 member states, the mark certifies compliance with international standards, simplifying access to foreign markets.

The 2025 changes on gold

From 17 January 2025, Legislative Decree 211/2024 — in line with EU Regulation 2018/1672 — introduces stricter obligations for gold transactions. Transactions of 10,000 euro or more must be declared to the Financial Intelligence Unit; even single operations of at least 2,500 euro that, when added to others in the same month with the same counterparty, exceed 10,000 euro require a declaration. These measures aim to improve traceability and to combat money laundering.

The Italian goldsmithing market

The goldsmithing sector is a pillar of the national economy, with a turnover of around 13.22 billion euros in 2022 and a projection of 15 billion by 2025. Exports, equal to around 87.6% of production, reached 7.7 billion euros in 2023, with estimates of 8.44 billion for 2025. Districts such as Arezzo, Valenza and Vicenza lead production, with over 5,000 active companies and around 22,000 workers. Italy confirms its position as the world's second-largest exporter of jewellery, with its main markets in Europe, North America and Asia/the Middle East.

Italian regulation combines tradition and innovation, guaranteeing high standards of quality and transparency. With a turnover forecast of 15 billion euros in 2025 and a strong presence in exports, the goldsmithing sector continues to shine as a symbol of Made in Italy.

With La Merce, importing precious metal jewellery means verifying fineness in thousandths and the identification mark before the order: Legislative Decree 251/1999 allows no regularisation once the goods have arrived.

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