No, Ferraris are not usually cheaper in Italy once taxes, options, and import costs are included.
Plenty of car fans land in Maranello or Milan and start to wonder: are Ferraris cheaper in Italy, and could a trip double as a discount shopping run? The short answer is that list prices in Italy can look attractive, yet the final bill for a foreign buyer rarely beats buying at home. Once you add local tax, options, shipping, duty, and registration, any headline saving tends to shrink fast.
This guide walks through how Ferrari pricing works, how Italian taxes shape the sticker, what happens when you export a car, and when buying in Italy still makes sense for some buyers. By the end you will know whether chasing a “cheaper” Ferrari in Italy fits your budget or is better left as a factory tour and a rental daydream.
Are Ferraris Cheaper in Italy? Real-World Answer
The question “Are Ferraris Cheaper in Italy?” sounds simple, yet there are three different prices to think about: the Italian list price, the on-the-road price for an Italian resident, and the all-in landed price once a foreign buyer gets the car home. Only the last one matters if you live outside Italy.
Italian list prices are set in euro and include value added tax. At first glance they can sit below the dollar numbers you see from dealers in places such as the United States or the Middle East. A 296 GTB, as one example, has a base price around EUR 275,000 in Italy for recent model years, while outlets in the United States often quote figures in the region of USD 350,000 depending on year and options.
Once you compare apples to apples, though, gaps tighten. Buyers in Italy pay the 22 percent Italian standard VAT rate on the car, while buyers in many other regions face local sales tax, registration fees, and in some cases luxury levies. When a buyer exports a new Ferrari out of Italy and claims a VAT refund, that same buyer usually picks up import duty and local tax at home. After currency exchange, shipping, and paperwork, the end figure is often similar or even higher than a straight purchase from a local dealer.
| Model | Approximate Base Price In Italy (EUR) | Approximate Base Price In USA (USD) |
|---|---|---|
| 296 GTB | EUR 275,000 | USD 350,000 |
| Roma | EUR 230,000 | USD 280,000 |
| SF90 Stradale | EUR 430,000 | USD 515,000 |
| F8 Tributo (run-out) | EUR 250,000 | USD 300,000 |
| Portofino M (run-out) | EUR 220,000 | USD 250,000 |
| Purosangue | EUR 400,000 | USD 450,000 |
| 812 GTS (run-out) | EUR 380,000 | USD 430,000 |
These rough figures match what you see from recent model guides and dealer listings. The spread often sits in the tens of thousands of euro or dollars, not hundreds of thousands. Once you adjust for tax, options, and exchange rates on the day you pay your deposit, the gap narrows further. That is why many owners say that Are Ferraris Cheaper in Italy? is the wrong question; the real question is whether buying in Italy delivers a better full ownership picture once the car arrives in your garage.
Ferrari Price Basics: Factory, Dealer, And Taxes
Before you decide where to sign a contract, it helps to understand how pricing works across markets. Ferrari sets a base price in each region, then dealers build from that with transport, handling fees, and local margin. On top you have tax and registration charges set by each country or state.
How Ferrari Pricing Works Worldwide
Ferrari keeps tight control over new car allocation. The brand sends cars to dealers in many countries, and each dealer sells to local buyers under strict rules. That means new cars seldom sit with big discounts. In hot markets with long waiting lists, buyers might even see added dealer markups.
What varies more is local tax. In some places buyers pay only sales tax, while others add registration tax based on emissions or power. A tourist who buys in Italy still has to bring the car home, pay duties, and then register it there, so any list price saving has to clear these extra layers.
Italian VAT And Local Charges
Italy uses a value added tax system, and the standard rate is 22 percent on most goods, including new cars. If you see a Ferrari price quoted by an Italian dealer, that figure usually folds in VAT. Sources such as the Italian standard VAT rate guide confirm that 22 percent headline figure.
An Italian resident who buys a new 296 GTB or Roma pays that VAT along with registration costs, number plates, and insurance. A foreign buyer who exports the car may avoid Italian registration expenses and might receive a VAT refund through the dealer once the car leaves the European Union. That sounds attractive at first, but the tax story does not end there.
Are Ferraris Cheaper In Italy For Export Buyers? Cost Breakdown
The price a tourist pays to take a Ferrari home from Italy includes far more than the figure on the dealer invoice. Shipping by sea or air, marine insurance, import duty, local sales tax, and registration steps back home all sit on top of the Italian ex-VAT price. In many cases those layers erase any saving from the initial deal.
Shipping And Insurance Costs
Moving a supercar across oceans is not cheap. Enclosed shipping from an Italian port to North America or Asia can run into five figures once you add loading, handling, and insurance. Airlines will move high value cars on special flights, yet that option adds even more cost. For many buyers the bill just to move the car is higher than the price gap between Italian and home list prices.
Customs Duty, Tariffs, And Sales Tax At Home
Every country has its own rules for importing cars. Many impose a standard import duty rate on passenger cars, along with extra tariffs on some origins. In the United States, foreign-built passenger cars face a base customs duty of 2.5 percent of the car’s value, and recent policy changes can add extra Section 232 tariffs on top. Public sources such as CBP guidance on importing a motor vehicle outline these charges but also warn that buyers need to check the latest rules before shipping.
On top of customs duty, buyers still pay local sales tax or value added tax when the car is registered in its new home. Some regions add luxury car tax or a steep registration fee based on emissions. A car that leaves Italy with VAT removed can easily pick up an equal or higher tax load at the border and at the registration office.
Compliance, Registration, And Insurance
A Ferrari built for the European market may need changes before it can be legally driven elsewhere. Headlights, emissions labels, child seat anchors, and even software can fall under local safety and emissions rules. Some countries require a specialist importer to certify these changes, which adds both time and cost.
Registration rules can also differ. In some places you will need proof of compliance documents from the manufacturer, in others you may need a local inspection, and in many you must pay one-off registration tax based on emissions or engine output. Insurance providers may also quote higher premiums for a car originally sold outside the local dealer network.
| Cost Item | Typical Extra Cost Range | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Ocean Or Air Shipping | USD 5,000–20,000+ | Depends on route, carrier, and insurance level |
| Marine Insurance | 1–3% of vehicle value | Higher declared values increase this charge |
| Customs Duty | 2.5–10%+ of value | Base duty plus any extra national tariffs |
| Broker And Handling Fees | USD 1,000–3,000 | Port, paperwork, and customs broker bills |
| Local Sales Or VAT | 10–25% of value | Charged when you register the car at home |
| Compliance Modifications | USD 1,000–10,000 | Lighting, emissions, labels, other changes |
| Registration And Plates | Varies by region | Can include weight, emissions, or luxury surcharges |
Once you stack these extra lines next to the Italian ex-VAT price, the initial saving on a new Ferrari from Italy often disappears. In some tax regimes the imported car actually ends up more expensive than a local car, even if your home dealer adds a markup. The math tends to work only when local prices are unusually high, or when you can arrange a special deal that does not translate to your home showroom.
When Buying A Ferrari In Italy Can Make Sense
Even if the answer to Are Ferraris Cheaper in Italy? is usually no for long term ownership costs, there are still scenarios where buying or ordering in Italy might appeal to some drivers. Price is only one part of the story; experience and access to certain builds matter as well.
Factory Collection And Italian Roads
Some brands allow buyers to collect their new car at or near the plant. Driving a new Ferrari through the hills around Maranello or along coastal routes before shipping it home creates memories no local dealer can match. For some owners that experience, plus time on Italian roads or track days, justifies a small extra outlay over a standard delivery.
Special Builds, Classic Cars, And Collection Goals
Italy remains a strong market for both new and classic Ferraris. Collectors may find rare specifications, historic race cars, or well-documented classic models that simply never appear in their home country. In these cases buyers weigh the cost and hassle of import against the chance to secure the exact car they want, not just a close match on a dealer lot.
Practical Tips If You Still Want To Shop In Italy
If you still feel drawn to the idea of buying a Ferrari in Italy, careful planning helps keep surprises to a minimum. A few grounded steps go a long way toward keeping the dream fun instead of stressful.
Do The Full Landed-Cost Math
Ask the Italian dealer for a written quote that splits out the ex-VAT price, local handling fees, and any export charges. Then talk to a customs broker or specialist in your home country to price shipping, duty, taxes, and registration in detail. Only when you see the full landed cost can you compare fairly with a local dealer offer.
Check Warranty And Service Arrangements
Ferrari warranties usually follow the car worldwide, yet service networks and extended warranty plans can differ by country. Before you commit, ask your local dealer how they treat cars that were first sold in Italy. Make sure you will be able to book routine servicing, software updates, and any recall work without trouble.
Plan The Trip Around More Than The Purchase
Even if the car does not turn out cheaper, combining a purchase or factory visit with a wider trip through Italy still has appeal. Museum stops, food, and time in historic towns add lasting value beyond the car itself. If the numbers do not stack up, you can always rent a Ferrari for a day and enjoy Italian roads without taking on shipping and import tasks.
Is Buying Your Ferrari In Italy Worth It?
In most cases, a brand-new Ferrari is not cheaper in Italy once you factor in taxes, shipping, duty, and registration in your home country. Italian list prices can tempt you while you are on holiday, yet the system is set up so that each country collects its share of tax, wherever the car starts life.
If you live within the European Union and plan to keep the car inside that bloc, the numbers may come closer, especially when you shop nearly new stock or demonstrators. For buyers from farther away, though, the gains tend to fade once you add every extra bill. In the end, buying near home often wins on cost and convenience, while Italy wins as the place to visit the factory, browse the museums, and maybe rent your dream car for a day on the roads that shaped it.