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FY 1999: Italy |
IX. BUSINESS TRAVEL
BUSINESS CUSTOMS
By and large, what is considered good business practice in the
United States also applies when doing business in Italy.
Businesspeople in Italy also appreciate prompt replies to their
inquires, and they expect all correspondence to be acknowledged.
Before embarking on a business venture to tap the market in
Italy, the review of travel guides would be especially helpful.
These guides contain useful hints on cultural differences and
business protocol.
TRAVEL ADVISORY AND VISAS
Every U.S. traveler must have a valid passport. No visa is
required of U.S. citizens visiting Italy for less than 3 months,
but one is required for longer stays. An American citizen
entering for permanent residence must register within 8 days of
entering the country. Application for a Residence Permit
(Permesso di Soggiorno) is made at the local police station:
U.S. citizens planning to work in the country must first obtain a
work visa. Work permit approval must first be obtained by the
Italian employer and is usually granted only for specialized work
or skills. Management and skilled workers have no difficulty in
obtaining work permits. The Italian employer files an application
at a Provincial Labor Office. If clearance is granted, the
prospective employer is further required to obtain a work permit
with the approval of the regional and central authorities. The
permit is then sent to the worker so that he or she may apply for
the entry visa. There are Italian consular offices in all of the
largest American cities. The application process should be
initiated three to four months before it will be needed.
For further information concerning entry requirements for Italy,
travelers can contact the Embassy of Italy at 1601 Fuller Street,
NW, Washington, DC 20009, telephone: (202) 328-5558, or the
nearest Italian Consulate General in Boston, Chicago, Houston,
Los Angeles, New Orleans, New York, Philadelphia, or San
Francisco.
A person seeking to work in Italy in an independent or
self-employed capacity, files an application directly with the
Italian Consulate along with needed credentials demonstrating
experience in the field of work.
Italy has a very low rate of violent crime, little of which is
directed toward tourists. Petty crime (pickpocketing, theft from
parked cars, purse snatching) is a significant problem,
especially in large cities. Most reported thefts occur at
crowded tourist sites, on public buses, or at the major railway
stations, including Rome's Termini, Milan's Centrale, Florence's
Santa Maria Novella, and the Centrale in Naples.
U.S. Citizens are reminded that certain Alitalia flights between
Italy and various middle eastern points (usually Damascus or
Amman) make en route stops in Beirut. The State Department warns
U.S. Citizens to avoid all travel to or through Lebanon.
Embassy and Consulate locations
The U.S. Embassy in Rome is located at Via Veneto 119/A,
telephone:
39-06-46741, fax: 39-06-488-2672 or 4674-2356. There are U.S.
Consulates at the following locations: Florence, at Lungarno
Amerigo Vespucci 38, telephone: 39-055-239-8276/7/8, or 217-605;
fax: 39-055-284088; Milan, at Via Principe Amedeo 2/10,
telephone: 39-02-290351; fax: 39-02-2900-1165; Naples, at Piazza
della Repubblica, telephone: 39-081-583-8111; fax:
39-081-761-1869; Palermo (consular Agent), at Via Vaccarini 1,
telephone: 39-091-305857 or 39-337-793421 (cellular); fax:
39-091-6256026. Trieste (consular agent), at Via Roma 15,
telephone: 39-040-660177, fax: 39-040-631240; Genoa
(consular agent), Via Dante 2, telephone/fax: 39-010-584492.
The "Guide for Business Representatives" is available for sale by
the Superintendent of Ducuments, U.S. Government Printing Office,
Washington, D.C. 20402; tel. (202) 512-1800; fax: (202)
512-2250. Business travelers to Italy seeking appointments with
U.S. Embassy Rome officials should contact the Commercial Section
in advance. The Commercial Section can be reached by telephone
at: 001-39-06-4674-2382/2202, or by fax at 001-39-06-4674-2113.
HOLIDAYS
Italian holidays must be taken into account when planning a
business itinerary. July and August are poor months for
conducting business in Italy since most business firms are closed
for vacation during this period. The same is true during the
Christmas and New Year period. Italian commercial holidays are
listed below and are the official statutory holidays when most
commercial offices and banks are closed. Certain other days are
celebrated as holidays within local jurisdictions. Holidays are
also observed by the U.S. Embassy and should be considered when
telephoning or visiting the U.S. and Foreign Commercial Service
staff there. When an Italian holiday falls on a Saturday,
offices and stores are closed.
Listed below are Italian holidays for 1998-99:
1998
January 6, Tuesday Epiphany
April 13, Monday Easter Monday
April 25, Saturday Anniversary of the Liberation
May 1, Friday Labor Day
August 15, Saturday Assumption Day
November 1, Sunday All Saints' Day
December 8, Tuesday Feast of the Immaculate Conception
December 26, Saturday St. Stephen's Day
1999
January 6, Wednesday Epiphany
April 5, Monday Easter Monday
April 25, Sunday Anniversary of the Liberation
May 1, Saturday Labor Day
August 15, Sunday Assumption Day
November 1, Monday All Saints' Day
December 8, Wednesday Feast of the Immaculate Conception
December 26, Sunday St. Stephen's Day
Patron Saint's Day are observed by the following cities:
Milan
December 7, 1998, Monday St. Ambrogio's Day
December 7, 1999, Tuesday St. Ambrogio's Day
Florence & Genoa
June 24, 1998, Wednesday St. John's Day
June 24, 1999, Thursday St. John's Day
Rome
June 29, 1998, Monday St. Peter and St. Paul's Day
June 29, 1999, Tuesday St. Peter and St. Paul's Day
Palermo
July 15, 1998, Wednesday St. Rosalia's Day
July 15, 1999, Thursday St. Rosalia's Day
Naples
September 19, 1998, Saturday St. Gennaro's Day
September 19, 1999, Sunday St. Gennaro's Day
BUSINESS INFRASTRUCTURE
Italian is the official language and is spoken in all parts of
Italy, although some minority groups in the Alto Adige and Aosta
regions speak German and French, respectively. Correspondence
with Italian firms, especially if the letter is the first sent,
should be in Italian. If a reply comes in English then the
subsequent correspondence with the Italian firm can be in
English. The use of Italian is not only regarded as a courtesy,
but assures prompt attention, and prevents inaccuracies which
might arise in translation. Most large commercial firms, however,
are able to correspond in various languages in addition to
English and Italian, but a business overture or proposal is given
more serious attention if written in Italian.
The importance of having trade literature, catalogs, and
instructions for the use of servicing of products printed in
Italian cannot be overemphasized. The agent representative in
Italy who has such material is in a far better competitive
position than the one who can only show prospective customers and
consumers literature in English.
The usual Italian business hours are from 8 or 9 A.M. to Noon or
1 P.M. and from 3 to 6 or 7 P.M. Working hours for the various
ministries of the government are normally from 8 A.M. to 2 P.M.
without intermission. Bank hours are from 8:30 A.M. to 1:30 P.M.
and 3:00-4:00 P.M.; they are closed on Saturdays.
With the ease of telephone communications, international calls
are frequently the best method of arranging appointments and
maintaining solid commercial relations. Fax machines have
increased the speed and ease of international communications and
should be used to maintain strong business ties. The Italians
are usually adept at handling business calls in English; however,
be prepared to expect some language differences and be able to
make simple requests in Italian. The time zone for Italy is 6
hours ahead of the U.S. eastern standard time.
As in many Western European countries, Italy's telephone dialing
procedures are in the process of being changed. With regards to
dialing procedures within Italy, by November 1998, the present
city code will become part of each telephone number. An example
of a local call within Rome would be: 06-46741 (06 is the city
code).
Incoming long distance calls to Italy already require that the
"0" in the city code now be included when dialing. An example of
an incoming long distance call from the U.S. to Rome is as
follows: 011-39-06-46741 (39 being the country code, 06 the city
code for Rome). Milan's city code 02.
Many Italian companies are now beginning to use E-mail
communications; requests for E-mail addresses are becoming more
frequent from Italian businesspersons.
Medical services are excellent and hospitals compare with those
in the United States. Common medical needs are readily obtained,
and special supplies are normally available on short notice. An
international certificate of vaccination is not required for
travelers from the United States. Drinking water is acceptable
and most pharmaceuticals are available, and sanitation is at
American standards.
Rental automobiles are available at numerous locations. An
international or state driving license is acceptable. Tipping is
as appropriate in Italy as it is in the United States. Generally,
tip waiters 10 percent if "servizio" has not been added to the
check.
Conservative business attire is recommended at all times.
Business appointments are also required, and visitors are
expected to be punctual.
There is solid sales potential for U.S. goods and services in the
Italian market. It is a highly competitive market and the U.S.
exporter must keep certain factors in mind to achieve maximum
success. The "golden keys" of customary business courtesy,
especially replying promptly to requests for price quotations and
to orders, are a prerequisite for exporting success. In general,
European business executives are more formal than their American
counterparts; therefore, it is best to refrain from using first
names until a solid relationship has been formed. During the
first stages of conducting business, it is best to let the
prospective buyer take the lead since the American approach of
"getting down to business" may be considered abrupt. Avoid
commenting on political events or negative comments about the
country. Some positive and sincere observations about the
Italian culture, style, art, history, cuisine, or music are
always appropriate. Italian business executives tend to use
titles indicating their position in the firm. Friendship and
mutual trust are highly valued, and once an American has
established this relationship a productive business association
can usually be counted upon.
Italian buyers appreciate style, quality, and service, but are
also interested in delivered price. Care must be taken to assure
that stated delivery dates will be maintained and that
after-sales service will be promptly honored. Italians, and
Europeans in general, are concerned that after placing an order
with a supplier that the delivery date be honored. While there
are numerous factors that may interfere with prompt shipment, the
U.S. exporter must allow for additional shipping time and keep in
close contact with the buyer.
Meeting delivery schedules is of prime importance. It is much
better to quote a later delivery date that can be guaranteed than
promise an earlier delivery that is not completely certain.
Currency
The basic monetary unit is the lira (plural: lire) and is usually
indicated as L or Lit. The value of the lira changes with respect
to the U.S. dollar. Check the financial section of the daily
newspaper for the current exchange rate.
Major U.S. credit cards are usually accepted with proper
identification, such as a passport but visitors should always ask
if a particular card is accepted prior to ordering meals or
making hotel reservations. Travelers checks are accepted, but
visitors should first inquire on the policy of the bank, hotel,
or store before attempting to use them.
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