Italian Authorities Investigate Amazon Over Alleged Smuggling of Chinese Goods

Italian law enforcement agencies have launched an extensive investigation into suspected customs and tax violations involving Amazon's operations in the country. The focus of the probe centers on potential smuggling of Chinese-manufactured products into the European Union, with authorities alleging that import duties and taxes may have been systematically evaded.

On Monday, Italy's Guardia di Finanza, a specialized unit tasked with combating financial crimes, conducted searches at Amazon's main office in Milan and a major logistics facility in the Bergamo region. According to information sourced from judicial documents, authorities suspect that Amazon's infrastructure may have been exploited as a conduit for bringing undeclared goods from China into Europe. The investigation is believed to involve hundreds of millions of euros in lost tax revenue for the Italian treasury.

During the raids, officials reportedly seized technical equipment from Amazon's Milan headquarters. In the Bergamo logistics center, approximately 5,000 products--including toys, smartphone accessories, small appliances, stationery, and grooming tools--were confiscated for further inspection. These actions follow earlier seizures of hundreds of thousands of suspected undeclared or misdeclared items by Italian authorities.

The Milan public prosecutor's office, which is overseeing the case, suspects that a network of shell companies operating within Italy may be involved in the broader scheme. The alleged operation is thought to have facilitated the entry of potentially up to half a million products into the European market by misrepresenting the nature or value of goods during customs declarations. Such practices would constitute a breach of European Union trade and taxation regulations.

Investigators are also examining the possibility that the case extends beyond Italy's borders. Sources indicate that enforcement agencies in other EU nations, including Germany, France, and Poland, have been informed about the findings, suggesting that similar schemes could be occurring elsewhere in the bloc. Evidence collected during the Italian raids has reportedly been shared with partner agencies in these countries for potential follow-up investigations.

Amazon has responded to the ongoing inquiries by affirming its commitment to compliance with all applicable laws and regulations. The company stated that it is fully cooperating with the relevant authorities. However, no further comments regarding the specifics of the investigation or the recent seizures have been made public by Amazon at this stage.

At present, it remains unclear what direct impact the investigation may have on Amazon's operations in Italy or on its broader European supply chain. Analysts note that the outcome of the probe could influence regulatory scrutiny and operational practices for large e-commerce platforms operating within the European Union, especially regarding third-party sellers and the importation of goods from outside the EU.

European authorities have intensified efforts in recent years to address tax evasion and customs fraud within cross-border online retail. The current investigation in Italy is one of the most significant to date involving a major international e-commerce provider, and its findings may have far-reaching implications for the regulation of global digital marketplaces.