As someone who often imports products from China to Italy, I’ve found that buying shipping insurance is strongly recommended, especially for air shipping, which is faster but can involve more handling points. Although not mandatory, insurance provides peace of mind in case of damage, loss, or delays—especially for high-value goods.
Shipping from China to Italy time can vary:
- Air shipping typically takes 3 to 7 days
- Sea shipping takes about 30 to 40 days
With those timeframes in mind, insurance becomes even more important for longer routes where risks increase over time. I usually ask my freight forwarder to include cargo insurance or purchase it separately through a trusted provider.
People Also Ask (PAA):
1. Is shipping insurance required for air freight from China to Italy?
No, it’s not required by law, but highly recommended to protect against potential losses during transit.
2. How much does shipping insurance cost?
It typically costs 0.3% to 0.5% of the cargo value, depending on the coverage and provider.
3. What does shipping insurance usually cover?
Insurance often covers loss, theft, damage, and in some cases, delays—but read the fine print for exclusions.
4. Does express air shipping reduce the need for insurance?
While express shipping reduces transit time, it still involves risks. Insurance is useful regardless of speed.
5. Can I buy insurance through my freight forwarder?
Yes, most freight forwarders offer insurance options or can help you arrange third-party coverage.