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Italian Phrase

Quanto costa il dazio?

/ˈkwan.to ˈkɔs.sa il ˈda.t͡sjo/
Meaning"How much does the duty cost?"
💡

Meaning

The sentence asks for the price of a customs duty, i.e., how much you have to pay to import a product. It is a direct, polite way to inquire about taxes or fees applied by customs authorities.

🎯

When to use

Use this phrase when you are filling out customs forms, speaking with a customs officer, or negotiating shipping costs with a freight forwarder. It works both in personal travel situations and in business import/export contexts.

✦Grammar Breakdown

Quantocostaildazio?

1

Quanto

Interrogative adverb meaning 'how much', used before verbs to ask about price or quantity.

2

costa

Third‑person singular present of the verb *costare* (to cost). It agrees with the singular noun *dazio*.

3

il dazio

Masculine singular noun meaning 'customs duty' or 'tariff'. The definite article *il* is required.

4

Question mark

In written Italian the question mark follows the whole sentence; the word order stays the same as in a statement.

🗨In Conversation

A

Quanto costa il dazio per questo pacco?

How much does the duty cost for this package?

Il dazio è di 45 euro, più l'IVA.

The duty is 45 euros, plus VAT.

B

✕Common Mistakes

  • Quanto costo il dazio?

    Use *costa* (verb) not *costo* (noun) when asking about price.

  • Quanto costa dazio?

    The article *il* is required; omitting it sounds unnatural.

  • Quanto è il dazio?

    While understandable, the more idiomatic form is *Quanto costa il dazio?* because you are asking about cost, not identity.

↔Alternatives

  • Qual è il prezzo del dazio?

    What is the price of the duty?

  • Quanto è il dazio?

    How much is the duty?

  • Che importo devo pagare per il dazio?

    What amount do I have to pay for the duty?

it

Cultural Tip

Customs duties (dazi) in Italy vary by product type, origin country, and trade agreements. Travelers often encounter a *dazio* on high‑value items like electronics or luxury goods, while businesses must file a *dichiarazione doganale* and may benefit from EU tariff reductions. Always ask for a written receipt of the duty paid, as it can be required for warranty or resale purposes.