The Italian Parliament has approved an amendment allowing consumers to purchase e-cigarettes and e-liquids online from European Union retailers, avoiding a proposed total cross-border ban. The policy introduces a mandatory physical collection rule designed to verify buyer identity and age directly at the point of delivery.
Initial draft proposals from the Finance Committee aimed to prohibit all foreign online vape sales. The adopted amendment eases this stance, provided that deliveries bypass residential addresses entirely and route through approved domestic brick-and-mortar locations.
Designated Pick-Up Locations and Collection Protocols
Under the new regulatory framework, buyers must select an authorized collection point during online checkout. Eligible pick-up points include:
- Licensed tobacconists (tabaccherie)
- Dedicated vape shops
- Pharmacies and parapharmacies authorized by the Customs and Monopolies Agency (ADM)
The collection process operates like a commercial parcel locker system, but with mandatory face-to-face verification. Store operators must check government identification to confirm the recipient is of legal age and matches the name on the order before handing over the goods.
Regulatory Goals and Implementation Timeline
Lawmakers structured the in-person collection requirement to balance digital trade with youth prevention. According to the committee, the mandate focuses on “countering the illicit market and protecting the health of consumers and minors.”
The system will take effect in the coming months following the publication of formal implementing decrees and administrative directives from the Customs and Monopolies Agency. Regulators have not yet finalized whether physical stores will receive compensation for providing collection services.
