Customs formalities must be completed when goods are definitively imported or exported between Switzerland and any other country (including those benefiting from a free trade agreement).
Further guidance on the procedure to follow is available at the following link:
https://www.bazg.admin.ch/bazg/en/home/informationen-firmen/einfuhr-in-die-schweiz.html
Check beforehand:
whether your goods may be imported and whether you have to observe certain import regulations. General information on bans, restrictions and authorisation requirements can be found on the website of the customs authorities: https://www.bazg.admin.ch/bazg/en/home/informationen-firmen/verbote-beschraenkungen-und-auflagen.html
You will find this information and the specific tariff number for your goods in the customs tariffs tares website: https://xtares.admin.ch/tares/login/loginFormFiller.do;jsessionid=hsRjPLc1rASXLXfTn1CeeS3GzqcEn6gVclSm03LifBi6gyy-J8Xe!441828222
in the customs tariff Tares, whether you can obtain a duty reduction or exemption for your goods based on their origin: https://xtares.admin.ch/tares/login/loginFormFiller.do;jsessionid=7OljPf6yl8dCxn3_QvGc31Qg0Vrn806Kdw8HNwCmgg9PpKriHaQM!441828222
The Tares remarks (PDF, 16 kB, 01.01.2024) contain further information on free trade agreements.
How to import goods into Switzerland:
The customs declaration can be made in French, German, Italian or English.
In addition to goods transportation, many freight forwarding and courier companies offer domestic and foreign customs clearance and customs declaration as a service. You can engage a service provider of this kind to take care of all or part of an export procedure, saving you time and effort.
web application without registration: e-dec web (can be made in French, German or Italian)
If you are declaring your goods yourself, choose one of the following platforms to enter your goods declaration electronically: B2B interface with registration: e-dec Import (used by companies located in Switzerland)
web application without registration: e-dec web (can be made in French, German or Italian)
Enter the information required according to e-dec web (tariff number, UID, etc.) or e-dec Import based on the accompanying documents and any proofs of origin.
Print out the goods declaration (import list and delivery order). Give this to the transporter, together with relevant accompanying documents (invoice, proof of origin, transit document, etc.) and your goods.
Procedure at the border:
Your transporter brings the goods declaration and the accompanying documents to the counter of the neighbouring foreign customs office, where the required documents must be presented in accordance with the clarifications. An inspection can also be carried out here. Swiss Customs cannot provide any information on foreign regulations for legal reasons. You will find a selection of foreign customs authorities here.
The transporter then reports to the Swiss customs office. Merchandise can be imported solely at certain customs offices -> note the customs office opening hours.
The FOCBS subsequently issues the assessment decision (eVV). Payment: as an importing company, you can obtain the assessment decision electronically (if you have a customs account, CSP); otherwise, the transporter pays directly at the counter (cash payer). You can find information on registering here.
Swiss Customs Authorities may carry out a physical goods inspection to check whether the information in the goods declaration is correct.
The importation of goods is usually subject to levies such as value added tax, customs duties, etc. If you do not have a CSP account, the taxes and duties incurred must be paid onsite by the transporter, e.g. using a credit card, TWINT, cash, etc.
Performance-related heavy vehicle charge (LSVA) for vehicles weighing more than 3.5 tonnes in total: if the transporter does not use an LSVA device, emotach, or EETS, we will register the vehicle. We then give the transporter an LSVA ID card to declare the mileage and pay the LSVA at a staffed customs office when leaving Switzerland.