International Parcel · Worldwide Shipping
Sending a package to San Marino: customs, monophase and delivery time
From Germany to San Marino, Serravalle or Borgo Maggiore: Prepare shipping correctly
San Marino is one of the smallest states in Europe and is completely surrounded by Italy. For German companies, shipping therefore initially appears almost like a normal intra-European delivery. However, the situation is more complex from a tax and customs perspective.
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San Marino
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Shipping overview
- Shipping from Germany to San Marino
- Customs union between San Marino and the EU
- Parcel, express and freight solutions
- Standard delivery time is currently 4 to 8 working days.
- Regularly consider 17% monophase
- not a normal EU VAT area
- Note the free circulation status of the goods
- Check T2, T2F, T2L or T2LF certification
Shipping information: San Marino
Shipping methods
Standard, express or freight to San Marino.
San Marino is located in the heart of Europe and can be reached by land via Italy.
Standard shipping is therefore very suitable for smaller business shipments and packages.
DHL currently states:
4 to 8 working days.
For:
- urgent spare parts
- high-quality electronics
- Production material
- Time-critical documents or goods
An express service might be useful.
For:
- Pallets
- Machine
- several packages
- large quantities of goods
Road freight transport is often the most obvious solution.
You can find more information about larger shipments at International freight shipping for businesses.
transport routes.
San Marino is supplied entirely via Italy.
San Marino possesses:
- no seaport
- no dedicated international cargo airport
- no direct access to any other state besides Italy
This means that all major international trade flows pass through Italy.
Road transport is particularly relevant for German goods.
A typical route leads to:
Germany → Austria or Switzerland → Italy → San Marino
or via the northern Italian logistics networks towards Emilia-Romagna.
The nearest major logistics centers are located around:
- Rimini
- Bologna
- Ravenna
For sea freight, goods are first handled via an Italian port and then transported by truck to San Marino.
Air freight also involves onward transport from an Italian airport.
San Marino is therefore geographically easy to reach, even though it is a separate destination country under constitutional law.
Import duties
What duties are incurred when delivering goods to San Marino?
For typical goods in free circulation within the European Union, no normal import duty is generally incurred due to the customs union.
Nevertheless, costs may still arise.
This includes in particular:
- regular 17% monophase
- Deviating monophase rates for certain goods
- Excise taxes, if applicable
- Handling fees
- Carrier fees
Reduced monophase rates apply to certain categories.
For certain movable business assets, for example, a set of:
1%
be valid.
For other categories, lower rates such as 2 or 6 percent are used.
The actual taxation should therefore be examined based on the specific goods.
For non-Union goods, additional customs-related issues may arise before the goods are released into free circulation within the customs union.
Costs
How much does a package to San Marino cost?
The transport price depends in particular on:
- Weight
- Dimensions
- Volumetric weight
- Shipping service
- Carrier
- Type of goods
- Additional Services
Due to the geographical location, the pure transport costs are usually closer to European shipping destinations than to classic overseas third countries.
However, this does not mean that the shipment can be treated for tax purposes like a normal EU parcel.
The transport price may be supplemented by local monophase and handling costs.
For large, lightweight boxes, the volumetric weight can also be a significant factor.
You can find out more at Understanding and calculating volumetric weight.
Online Stores
E-commerce to San Marino: Don't just treat it like Italy
For online retailers, San Marino is an unusual destination.
The customer is geographically located within Italy, but for tax purposes outside the EU VAT area.
Therefore, San Marino should be listed as: in the shop system
own destination country
be guided.
Important points are:
- own country code
- correct tax treatment
- complete invoice data
- correct customs data
- Consider monophase
- Check carrier availability separately
A standard German or Italian VAT logic should not be applied to the delivery without verification.
The EU-IOSS system is also not as easy to apply as with a normal shipment to a third country.
For retailers, it is therefore crucial to make the actual taxes and costs transparent as early as possible.
You can find out more at Display shipping and import costs at checkout.
Features
Customs union yes, EU VAT no
The most important characteristic of San Marino can be summarized in one sentence:
Legally, it is close to the EU in terms of customs law, but outside the EU VAT area for tax purposes.
For customs purposes, the European Commission generally treats San Marino as closely linked to Italy.
EU customs rules apply within the framework of the customs union.
However, EU VAT rules do not apply.
This creates an unusual combination:
- Generally, there is no normal import duty for goods in free circulation.
- tax-related import processing
- own monophase
- Proof of free market access required
T2 and T2L instead of classic EUR.1
The German customs administration refers to the regulation with San Marino as:
Over-the-counter preference.
This distinguishes them from classic free trade agreements.
The following are cited as evidence, among other things:
- T2
- T2F
- T2L
- T2LF
Therefore, an EUR.1 certificate is not the central proof for typical trade in goods.
This is particularly important for German companies, which otherwise reflexively search for EUR.1, declaration of origin or REX for every non-EU country.
In San Marino, the commodity status is the decisive factor.
Shipping service
Which carrier is suitable for San Marino?
Due to its location in the heart of Italy, various parcel, express and road freight options are available.
The following points should be taken into account when making a comparison:
- Transport price
- Runtime
- Check-in service
- Tracking
- Insurance
- maximum weight
- maximum package dimensions
- Support with customs data
DHL Parcel currently states:
4 to 8 working days.
The customs declaration can be submitted to DHL at:
- English
- French
- Italienisch
to be created.
For urgent B2B goods, an express carrier can be useful.
For pallets and larger machines, road freight transport via Italy is often the best option due to the geographical location.
The sheer distance in kilometers is therefore rarely the problem in San Marino.
As is so often the case, the more exciting discipline is administration.
San Marino is not an ordinary third country.
Although San Marino is located outside the European Union, it is closely linked to the EU customs territory through a customs union.
For shippers, this means that the customs status of the goods and the tax treatment must be considered separately.
Use of the customs union with the EU
Goods already in free circulation within the European Union can generally enter San Marino without being subject to a new standard import duty. The crucial factor is that this free circulation status can be proven.
17% monophase VAT instead of normal VAT
San Marino is not part of the EU VAT area. Instead of a traditional VAT, the country levies a so-called mono-phase VAT on imported goods at a standard rate of currently 17 percent.
Properly prepare the over-the-counter (OTC) certificate
For trade between the EU and San Marino, documents such as T2, T2F, T2L, or T2LF may be particularly relevant. An EUR.1 certificate is not the typical document for normal trade within this customs union.
Sending a package to San Marino: What companies should know beforehand
San Marino lies entirely within Italy and, with an area of approximately 61 square kilometers, is one of the smallest countries in the world.
The most important economic and settlement areas are located, among other places, in:
- San Marino City
- Serravalle
- Borgo maggiore
- domagnano
- Fiorentino
Logistically, the country is closely linked to northern and central Italy.
International trade is conducted almost entirely via Italian transport routes.
This makes transport relatively uncomplicated.
However, the tax treatment is more specific.
Is San Marino part of the European Union?
No.
San Marino is an independent state and not a member of the European Union.
Nevertheless, a customs union exists between San Marino and the EU.
The European Commission treats San Marino as closely linked to Italy for customs and certain excise tax purposes.
However, this explicitly does not apply to European value added tax.
This means San Marino is:
Closely integrated in terms of customs law, but a separate area for tax purposes.
This distinction is crucial for German shippers.
Do I need a customs declaration for San Marino?
San Marino cannot be meaningfully compared to a normal third country like Switzerland, the USA or Great Britain.
For goods in free circulation within the European Union, the customs union provides for free movement of goods.
However, the status of the goods must be verifiable.
Depending on the transport route and method, the following are used in particular:
- T2
- T2F
- T2L
- T2LF
- equivalent evidence
For parcel shipments, the carrier often takes over a large part of the necessary processes.
DHL still requires electronic customs data or a customs declaration for shipments to San Marino.
Therefore, product information should be fully prepared.
Do I need a EUR.1 for San Marino?
For normal trade between the EU and San Marino, an EUR.1 certificate is generally not the typical proof of purchase.
The regulation is not based on a classic origin preference.
What is crucial is:
the customs-related free circulation status of the goods.
The German customs administration therefore refers to the regulation as:
Over-the-counter preference.
Evidence is specifically referred to as T2, T2F, T2L or T2LF documents or equivalent documents.
The difference is important:
An EUR.1 certificate confirms the preferential origin of a good under certain agreements.
In contrast, for San Marino, normal trade in goods requires that the goods are already in free circulation within the customs union.
The fact that Germany is the production location alone is therefore not the decisive factor.
What documents do I need for San Marino?
Depending on the shipping method and type of goods, the following may be particularly necessary or useful:
- Commercial invoice
- precise product description
- HS code
- cart value
- Country of origin
- Weight and quantity
- Transport document
- Free circulation certificate or shipping document
- Special permits may be required.
Parcel service providers should also transmit the complete electronic customs data.
DHL currently allows the following for the customs declaration:
- English
- French
- Italienisch
Italian is a particularly obvious choice due to it being the official language of San Marino.
Commercial invoice or pro forma invoice?
A commercial invoice is used for a normal sale.
At:
- free samples
- Guaranteed deliveries
- Gifts
- Replacement goods free of charge
A pro forma invoice might be appropriate.
Even in such cases, the goods should be declared with a realistic value.
Further information can be found at Proforma invoice for international shipping.
How long does it take to send a package to San Marino?
DHL currently lists the following for standard parcel shipping:
4 to 8 working days.
This makes San Marino one of the relatively quickest to reach non-EU European destinations.
The actual runtime can still be affected by:
- incomplete customs data
- tax-related questions
- missing product information
- Address error
- Weekends and holidays
For particularly urgent business shipments, express services can further reduce delivery time.
Write the address for San Marino correctly
DHL requires the address to be written in Latin letters and Arabic numerals.
One possible format is:
ABC Srl
Via XXV Marzo 15
47895 DOMAGNANO
SAN MARINO
Typical postal codes begin with:
4789
DHL cites the following examples for the city of San Marino:
47890 SAN MARINO
Additionally, the following should be considered if possible:
- Phone number
- Email address
be transmitted to the recipient.
This significantly simplifies delivery and inquiries.
San Marino is not Italy
This point sounds trivial, but it is surprisingly reliably mishandled in e-commerce.
San Marino is:
No delivery area in Italy.
Although every road route to San Marino inevitably leads through Italy, the country possesses:
- a separate state administration
- a separate tax territory
- own postal codes
- own tax import rules
San Marino should therefore be listed as a separate destination country in the shop.
Treating customers simply as "Italy" can lead to problems, especially with:
- Taxes
- Invoices
- customs data
- Carrier tariffs
Creating problems.
Electronic goods traffic is becoming more important
San Marino is increasingly digitizing its tax processes.
Electronic invoicing and goods tracking processes already exist for the movement of goods between Italy and San Marino.
Furthermore, the electronic Visto Merci process has been further modernized since the end of 2024.
For companies that export regularly, it is therefore becoming increasingly useful to import shipping and product data in a structured format from the shop or ERP system.
Over a Shipping API For example:
- Recipient data
- Weight
- Product description
- HS code
- cart value
directly incorporated into the shipping process.
These errors cause problems with shipping to San Marino
The most common source of error is the incorrect classification of the country.
Typical problems include:
- San Marino is treated like Italy
- San Marino is treated like an ordinary third country.
- Monophase is being confused with EU VAT.
- 17% Italian or German VAT is incorrectly assumed.
- The free circulation status of the goods is not documented.
- EUR.1 is unnecessarily included as standard proof.
- HS code is missing
- The product description is too vague.
- Commercial invoice and electronic goods information do not match.
- San Marino was not listed as a separate country in the shop.
- The recipient address incorrectly lists Italy as the destination country.
The distinction between the following is particularly important:
Customs Union
and:
VAT area.
In terms of customs law, San Marino is closely linked to the EU.
However, for VAT purposes, the country is outside the EU system.
For regular shipping, these processes should be standardized as much as possible.
You can find out more at Automate shipping documents and avoid errors.
What goods are delivered to San Marino?
Despite its small size, San Marino has a well-developed business and industrial landscape.
Besides trade and services, manufacturing companies and specialized medium-sized businesses play a particularly important role.
Therefore, the following goods, among others, may be of interest to German suppliers:
- Machines and production facilities
- Machine and plant spare parts
- Electrical Engineering
- Electronics and control technology
- Tools
- Measurement and testing technology
- packaging technology
- Automation components
- Vehicle and spare parts
- IT and communication technology
- Industrial supplies
- high-quality consumer goods
San Marino is also relevant for German online retailers.
The customer is geographically located in the middle of Italy, but for tax purposes outside the EU VAT area.
This combination makes accurate country assignment particularly important.
For technical goods, the HS code should be known before shipping.
Even though, due to the customs union, no classic import duty generally arises for goods in free circulation, the classification of goods remains relevant.
It can have an impact on:
- tax treatment
- permits
- Prohibitions and restrictions
- Excise taxes
- special product regulations
You can find out more at Determine the correct customs tariff number.
Important information about customs and import duties
DAP or DDP to San Marino: The single-phase phase is a key factor
When shipping to San Marino, it should be clarified before booking who will cover local taxes and handling costs.
For DAP The seller generally organizes the transport to the agreed destination.
Taxes and other local import or fiscal formalities are generally borne by the recipient, unless otherwise agreed.
This can include, in particular:
- Single phase
- Possibly special import taxes
- Handling fees
- Carrier fees
- Possible costs of a local service provider
For DDP In contrast, the seller assumes the agreed import and tax obligations.
Especially in the case of San Marino, a DDP calculation should not be confused with a normal EU delivery.
Before a binding offer is made, at least the following should be clarified:
- tax status of the delivery
- cart value
- Type of goods
- Monophase set
- Over-the-counter market status
- necessary status or shipping proof
- Excise taxes, if applicable
- Carrier handling fees
For regular goods, customs duties may be waived due to the customs union.
However, this does not eliminate the tax treatment.
A Landed Cost Calculation This helps to consider transport and local taxes together.
What is the import duty in San Marino?
For normal goods from Germany, the answer is unusual:
Often 0% classic import duty.
The reason for this is the customs union between the European Union and San Marino.
It generally covers goods of Chapters 1 to 97 of the Customs Tariff, with the exception of certain coal and steel products.
Within this customs union, goods in free circulation are generally subject to free movement.
This means:
Goods that are already properly in free circulation within the European Union do not normally have to be subject to a regular third-country customs duty when brought to San Marino.
However, the crucial point is:
The free market status must be verifiable.
Depending on the movement of goods, the following may be considered as appropriate proof or shipping documents:
- T2
- T2F
- T2L
- T2LF
- equivalent proof of status
For certain goods movements via designated Italian customs offices, special T2-SM or T2L-SM procedures may also be relevant.
What happens to non-Union goods?
The situation is different if the goods are not yet in free circulation within the European Union.
For example:
Goods are being imported from China, are still undergoing customs clearance, and are to be transported directly to San Marino.
Additional customs and transit formalities may then be required.
Non-Union goods are generally first released into free circulation via a designated customs office before being transported onward to San Marino within the framework of the customs union.
However, this scenario is less relevant for a typical German retailer with stock already cleared through customs in Germany.
More information on the difference between customs status and origin of goods can be found at Properly prepare for customs and goods classification.
What is the VAT rate in San Marino?
San Marino currently possesses:
No classic value added tax as per EU model.
Instead, an import tax applies, designated as follows:
Monofacial impact.
The current regular rate is:
17%
The monophase tax is generally levied on imported goods and related services.
Different rates apply to certain goods.
This could include, for example:
- certain foods
- Pharmaceuticals (self manufacturing)
- certain fixed assets
- certain vehicles
For example, a significantly reduced rate may apply to movable business assets.
Therefore, the monophase should not be set at a flat rate of 17 percent for every product.
However, for most ordinary goods, the regular rate is the most important starting point.
A special feature:
San Marino is planning the transition from the current monophase VAT system to a system more closely aligned with European VAT regulations.
However, the existing monophase will remain relevant for current shipping processes in 2026.
Regular monophase: 17%
Customs union and separate tax territory: This is what makes San Marino special
San Marino is a good example of why “EU” and “customs territory” do not mean the same thing.
The country is:
- not a member of the European Union
- closely linked to the EU through a customs union
- For customs purposes, largely tied to Italy
- not part of the EU VAT area
This means that two different considerations apply.
Customs regulations:
Goods in free circulation can generally be moved within the customs union without traditional import duties.
Tax:
San Marino has its own system with the monophase.
This is precisely why tax or fiscal documents may be required for a shipment, even though no normal third-country customs duties are levied.
Most goods traffic flows through Italy.
San Marino has neither its own seaport nor an international cargo airport.
International goods therefore enter the country via Italy.
In road transport, the final stage usually leads through the Italian region of Emilia-Romagna.
Depending on the initial situation, transit or free trade documents may play a role.
You can find more information about electronic shipping and customs data at Paperless trade in international shipping.
Frequently Asked Questions about Shipping
Can I send a package from Germany to San Marino?
Yes. Parcels, express shipments, and business goods can be sent from Germany to San Marino. San Marino is not an EU member but maintains a customs union with the European Union.
How long does it take to send a package to San Marino?
DHL currently estimates delivery times of 4 to 8 business days for standard parcel shipping. Express shipments can be faster.
Is San Marino a member of the European Union?
No. San Marino is an independent state and not an EU member. However, a customs union exists between San Marino and the European Union.
Do I have to pay customs duties for goods destined for San Marino?
Goods already in free circulation within the European Union and subject to the customs union are generally not subject to standard import duties. However, proof of free circulation status is required. Special rules apply to certain coal and steel products.
What is the VAT rate in San Marino?
San Marino does not currently have a traditional value-added tax (VAT) like those in other EU countries. Instead, a so-called monofase tax is levied on imported goods. The standard rate is currently 17 percent.
What is the monophase in San Marino?
The mono-phase import tax is a one-time import tax on imported goods and related services. The standard rate is 17 percent. Lower or special rates apply to certain goods.
Do I need a EUR.1 for San Marino?
For normal trade within the customs union, an EUR.1 certificate is generally not the typical proof of origin. The decisive factor is the free circulation status of the goods. The German customs administration specifically cites T2, T2F, T2L and T2LF documents, or equivalent documents, for this purpose.
Do I need a commercial invoice for San Marino?
Complete invoice and product information should be available for shipments. A standard commercial invoice is used for regular sales. A pro forma invoice may be appropriate for free samples or warranty deliveries.
Which language am I allowed to use for the customs declaration?
DHL currently lists English, French and Italian as acceptable languages for the customs declaration to San Marino.
Is San Marino subject to the same tax regulations as Italy?
No. Although San Marino is closely linked to the European Union and Italy through a customs union, it is not part of the EU VAT area. The country has its own indirect taxation system called Mono-Fase.
What is a T2 or T2L certificate for San Marino?
Depending on the procedure, T2, T2F, T2L and T2LF documents serve as proof of customs status or for the transport of goods. For San Marino, these documents can prove that goods are already in free circulation within the customs union.
Can I simply treat San Marino as Italy in the online shop?
No. San Marino should be listed as a separate destination country. Although the country is completely surrounded by Italy and closely linked to the EU in terms of customs law, it is not part of the EU VAT area and has its own tax system with the monophase VAT rate.
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