Customs Regulations in Switzerland

DOCUMENTS REQUIRED

• Passport (copy of first three pages)
• Residence Permit or "Zusicherung Aufenthaltsbewilligung"
• Lease or Property Title of Residence in Switzerland
• Inventory (detailed) in English, German, French, or Italian, dated and signed by the customer (three copies) showing:
  • Full contents of this and any other shipments planned
  • Appliances, giving make and serial number
• Customs Import Form 18.44 (in duplicate and signed by Customer) and a list of alcoholic beverages needs to be completed upon arrival in Switzerland
• Returning Nationals require an Attestation of Residence issued by the local authorities
• Foreigners require a Work and Residence Permit issued by the local authorities
• Inventory for all shipments must be submitted with first shipment!
• Swiss: "Schriftenempfangsschein" (receipt for depositing papers at the Town Hall)
• Form "Erklarung/Abfertigungsantrag fur Libersiedlungsgur" (owners' declaration of personal household goods)

CUSTOMS REGULATIONS

• CUSTOMER MUST BE IN SWITZERLAND AND TAKE UP RESIDENCE PRIOR TO CUSTOMS CLEARANCE IN ORDER TO BE ELIGIBLE TO IMPORT USED HOUSEHOLD GOODS AND PERSONAL EFFECTS DUTY-FREE (REGISTRATION WITH THE LOCAL AUTHORITIES IS REQUIRED FOR CLEARANCE).
• Used household goods and personal effects must be owned and used for a minimum of six months and remain in Customer's possession for at least one year
• Items must be imported during the period of transfer of residence (maximum of three years)
• Wedding Presents:
  • Goods must be shipped within 3 months following the date of wedding for free entry
• Inheritance:
  • Admitted free of duty provided they are used and the declared owner lived abroad
  • Legal heirs must have their residence in Switzerland
  • A declaration ("Declaration personnelle d'effects de succession" form 18.46) must be completed and given to the local Swiss Customs Direction before importation
  • Used household goods given by a living person to an heir as inheritance advancement ("Avance d'hoirie") is considered as inheritance goods

DUTIABLE/RESTRICTED ITEMS

• New items (less than six months old) require an invoice, and must be listed separately on the inventory
• Foodstuffs in quantity
• Alcoholic beverages (must be declared under penalty of heavy fines)
• Appliances and restricted items should be loaded last in the container for easy access by Customs

PROHIBITED ITEMS

• Drugs and narcotics
• Weapons (sporting and hunting guns may be imported with a permit)
• Ammunition
• Anti-radar equipment
• Animals products from protected/endangered species (ivory, skins, etc.)
• Cleaning fluids

MOTOR VEHICLES

• Duty-free if owned and used over six months and owner states it will not be re-sold within 12 months of import
• All cars must comply with Swiss Government regulations
• Permission to import is granted on case-by-case basis
• Documents required:
  • Passport
  • Work Permit
  • Title
  • Purchase invoice
  • Form 18.44
  • Proof of Residence
  • Valid Driver's License
  • Foreign Registration Card
  • Car license from previous country
  • Household goods inventory
  • Swiss Insurance Receipt

PETS

• Dogs, cats and birds permitted
• Proof of inoculation, veterinary attestation and anti-rabies shot required
• Quarantine may be required

Due to the landlocked location, all surface freight shipments will arrive via a base European port such as Antwerp, Belgium or Rotterdam, Netherlands. The Swiss destination agent will move the shipment in bond to Switzerland for customs clearance. Swiss customs officials are very strict about descriptive inventories. Under no circumstances is the description of "Packed By Owner" allowed.