Amazon Faces Investigation in Italy Over Suspected Smuggling of Chinese Goods
Italian authorities have launched a formal investigation into Amazon amid suspicions that Chinese goods may have been entering the country through undeclared channels to bypass European customs rules. According to individuals familiar with the matter, the inquiry focuses on whether products shipped from China avoided standard import procedures before being sold on the company’s platform in Italy.
On Monday, officers from the Guardia di Finanza tax police and the customs agency carried out searches at two Amazon locations. A significant operation took place at a large logistics centre in Cividate al Piano, located in the northern province of Bergamo. During the inspection, authorities seized roughly five thousand items believed to be linked to the investigation. These products are now being examined to determine how they entered Italy and whether the correct import duties were paid.
In addition to the warehouse search, police visited Amazon’s Italian headquarters in central Milan. There, officers collected IT devices and documentation that may help them trace the pathways through which goods were transported once inside the country. Investigators also identified the manager responsible for overseeing domestic movement of merchandise, a step seen as important for understanding how potentially undeclared items were distributed across Amazon’s Italian network.
Prosecutors are working on the theory that some products originating from China may have reached Italy without going through the official customs process. If confirmed, this could mean that import taxes and other required duties were not paid. Such practices, if proven, would not only violate trade regulations but also place legitimate importers at a competitive disadvantage.
The investigation comes at a time when European authorities are paying closer attention to online marketplaces and the movement of goods through complex international supply chains. With e-commerce volumes rising every year, regulators have been increasingly focused on ensuring that platforms follow strict procedures for imports, taxation and product verification. Italy’s customs authorities have stepped up inspections in recent years, citing concerns about lost tax revenue and the presence of undeclared items entering the European market.
Amazon has not yet issued a detailed public statement regarding the investigation, but the company has previously maintained that it complies with local laws in every country where it operates. The outcome of the inquiry will depend on what investigators uncover in the seized materials, including digital records, shipment data and internal communication logs.
While no formal accusations have been made against the e-commerce company or its staff, the case highlights the growing scrutiny placed on major online platforms operating across borders. Authorities are expected to continue examining how international products move through distribution networks and whether existing safeguards are sufficient to prevent customs violations.
