Shipping live chickens from the USA to Italy is fully legal and routine — with the right documentation. Live Poultry Store has been shipping NPIP-certified poultry internationally since 2003, and Italy is one of our most requested European destinations.
This guide covers everything you need to know: import permits, USDA export certificates, EU TRACES requirements, recommended breeds for Italy's Mediterranean climate, costs, and timeline.
📋 Step-by-Step Import Process to Italy
1. Contact Us First
Call +1 (346) 636-0501 or email info@livepoultrystore.com. We'll confirm current Italian import requirements for your specific order and quantity.
2. Obtain Italian Import Permit
Your local Italian health authority (ASL — Azienda Sanitaria Locale) issues the import permit. We provide guidance and required form templates.
3. Place Your Order
Minimum 10 birds. We'll hold your selected breeds and schedule a ship date after your import permit is in hand.
4. USDA APHIS Export Certification
Our veterinarian inspects birds, completes USDA Form 17-140, and submits for APHIS endorsement 48 hours before departure.
5. EU TRACES Notification
We file the Common Health Entry Document (CHED) in the EU TRACES system 24 hours before arrival at Italian customs.
6. Shipping & Customs Clearance
Birds ship via USPS Priority Mail Express International. Italian customs contacts you for veterinary inspection upon arrival.
📄 Required Documents for Italy Import
📋 USDA APHIS Export Health Certificate (Form 17-140)
Issued by our USDA-accredited veterinarian within 48 hours of shipment. Endorsed by APHIS at port of departure.
✅ NPIP Certificate (Pullorum-Typhoid Clean)
All flocks are NPIP tested and certified. Certificate included with every international shipment.
🇪🇺 EU TRACES CHED (Common Health Entry Document)
Filed electronically in the TRACES system 24 hours before arrival. We handle this for you.
🇮🇹 Italian Import Permit (Autorizzazione Sanitaria)
Issued by your local ASL (Azienda Sanitaria Locale). Valid for one shipment. You obtain this — we provide guidance.
📦 Commercial Invoice
Includes breed names, quantity, individual price, total value, and harmonized code (0105.94). We provide this.
🆔 Identification & Vaccination Records
Individual bird identification if required by Italian authorities. Available upon request.
Best Chicken Breeds for Italy's Mediterranean Climate
Italy has hot, dry summers (30-40°C / 86-104°F) and mild, wet winters. These breeds thrive in Italian conditions:
White Leghorn
280-320 eggs/yr · Heat-tolerant · Excellent forager · Italian heritage connection
Rhode Island Red
250-300 eggs/yr · Dual-purpose · Adaptable to all Italian regions
ISA Brown
300-320 eggs/yr · Heat-tolerant · Docile · Great for backyard
Easter Egger
200-280 eggs/yr · Colorful blue/green eggs · Hardy in hot summers
Buff Orpington
200-280 eggs/yr · Cold-hardy for northern Italy · Gentle temperament
Black Australorp
250-300 eggs/yr · World record layer · Adapts well to Italian climate
Naked Neck (Turken)
180-200 eggs/yr · Most heat-tolerant breed · Perfect for southern Italy
Cornish Cross
Meat bird · 6-8 weeks to butcher · For Italian homesteaders
Not sure which breed is right for your region of Italy? Call us — we'll help you choose based on your local climate, space, and egg or meat production goals.
💰 Costs & Timeline
| Item | Cost | Timeline |
|---|---|---|
| Birds (per bird, breed dependent) | $18.99 - $42.99 | — |
| USDA APHIS Export Health Certificate | $98 - $150 (included in shipping) | 48 hours before departure |
| USPS Priority Mail Express International | $150 - $350 (varies by weight) | 3-5 business days |
| Italian Import Permit (ASL) | €30 - €100 (paid locally) | 2-4 weeks processing |
| Italian Veterinary Inspection at Entry | €50 - €150 (paid locally) | Day of arrival |
| Estimated Total for 10 Birds | $350 - $600 + local fees | 3-4 weeks from order to arrival |
* All prices in USD unless noted. Shipping rates subject to change based on current carrier pricing. Call for exact quote.
🇮🇹 Italian Customs Entry Points for Live Poultry
Live chickens typically enter Italy through one of these Border Control Posts (BCP):
- 📍 Milano Malpensa Airport (MXP)
- 📍 Roma Fiumicino Airport (FCO)
- 📍 Bologna Airport (BLQ)
- 📍 Venezia Airport (VCE)
- 📍 Napoli Airport (NAP)
- 📍 Genova Seaport (for sea freight)
Your Italian customs office will notify you which BCP will process your shipment. You or your broker must arrange for veterinary inspection at that location.
❓ Italy Shipping FAQs
No, but many customers use one. Your local ASL can guide you through the process. We've had many Italian customers handle it themselves successfully.
Spring (April-May) and Fall (September-October) are ideal — temperatures are moderate. We avoid shipping in extreme summer heat (July-August) and winter cold (December-January).
Yes. All birds must be vaccinated or originate from flocks free of these diseases. Our NPIP certification and USDA health certificate confirm flock health status.
Absolutely. Call +1 (346) 636-0501. We've helped customers throughout Italy — from Milano to Sicilia — successfully import live chickens.
Delays are rare, but if they occur, our live arrival guarantee still applies. We coordinate with customs to ensure birds are cleared as quickly as possible.
Ready to Ship Chickens to Italy?
Call us for a custom quote and step-by-step guidance through the Italian import process.
Minimum 10 birds for Italy. We handle all USDA APHIS and EU TRACES paperwork.