Used Household Goods and Personal Effects

• Copy of passport with clear photo
• Copy of bill of lading (OBL) / CMR (Road) / air waybill (AWB)
• Originally signed Customs form 18.44 (application for duty & tax-free clearance of removal goods)
• Supplemental declaration for alcoholic products
• Detailed inventory list
• Copy of residence permit (except for Swiss citizens and immigrants from the 15 initial EU states and from the EFTA states)
• Registration at local Swiss town hall
• Coy of lease agreement / purchase contract (property title)
• Detailed packing list in German, French, Italian, or English
• Proof of stay more than 1 year outside of Switzerland (military booklet, attestation from Swiss Consulate or earlier de-registration) (returning citizens)
• Copy of the work contract or letter of employment confirming the relocation (residents of European Union (EU) countries)
• Original Customs form 14.60 provided by employer, duly signed, and stamped (diplomats)
• Copy of "Carte de Légitimation" (diplomats)

 

Specific Regulations

• The importation of used household goods and personal effects into Switzerland is usually duty and tax free.
• All documents must be available at the time when the Customs formalities are affected.
  • If documents are missing, Customs formalities can only arrange a temporary clearance.
  • In these circumstances, Swiss Customs will levy an appropriate fee or ask for a deposit which is laid down according to the volume of the removal.
• The "Carte de Légitimation" takes approximately 2 months to obtain.
• Used household goods may be imported if it is in the owner of the goods’ possession, has been used abroad for at least 6 months, are for the continued use of the owner of the goods, and correspond to the normal requirements of an intended resident after importation.
• Personal office goods and papers belonging to the owner of the goods are considered household goods.
• Returning Swiss citizens qualify for duty-free entry if the duration of employment abroad exceeded 12 months.
• If possible, all goods should be imported in one consignment.
• Later consignments should be listed on the inventory of the first shipment.
• • If a later shipment is to follow, it should be noted on the owner of the goods’ declaration of personal household goods under the appropriate section.
  • If the owner of the goods can prove that he is unable to proceed with the clearance of a second shipment, Customs will extend a delay for clearance up to 24 months from the date of the first clearance.
• Unaccompanied hand baggage may be imported duty free, provided it consists only of used personal effects and/or books.
• The shipment should be accompanied by an inventory and is subject to Customs inspection.
• If a secondary home is bought or rented, import of removal goods is free of duties and taxes.
• However, importation must occur close to the time of the issue of the purchase or lease contract.
• Cars do not fall under this rule and are not duty and tax-free, even if used. 

Motor Vehicles

Documents Required

• Official foreign driver’s license
• Original certificate title
• Original bill of sale / purchase invoice
• Condition report

Specific Regulations

• Items may be imported into Switzerland duty free if:
  • They are in the owner of the goods’ possession
  • Used abroad for at least 6 months before the legal date of entry date shown on the work permit
  • Will be used in Switzerland for a minimum period of 1 year
• It is necessary for the owner of the goods to provide an official foreign license showing the date of issue.
• Company cars may be imported duty free.
  • In order to do so, the company will need to provide a written confirmation that the automobile has been for exclusive use of the owner of the goods since a given date and state that the owner of the goods is relocating to Switzerland.
  • This letter should be written and sent to Swiss Customs authorities 6 months prior to shipment.
• Used motor cars and/or used motor boats may only be admitted duty and tax-free provided they are destined for one’s own requirements.
  • Used vehicles must be in the owner of the goods’ possession for at least 6 months.
• First registration date abroad needs to be proved to the Motorvehicle Authorities (MFK)

Pets

Documents Required

• Vaccination record
• Veterinarian health certificate in German, French, Italian, or English
• Blood analysis

Specific Regulations

• For countries with urban rabies, a blood analysis is required. 
  • The import of the pet can only be done 4 months after the vaccination.
• The veterinary health certificate must include the following information:
  • Name and address of owner of the goods
  • Description of animal (breed, sex, age, color)
  • An attestation that the animal was clinically examined by a veterinarian prior to vaccination and found to be healthy
  • Date of the preventive vaccination against rabies, type of vaccine, name of vaccine producer, and serial number of vaccine
  • Stamp and signature of the veterinarian
• The import of pets is allowed with some restrictions; check with the destination agent for details.
• Potential owners of the goods should contact a Swiss Customs authorities or a local agent in Switzerland no less than 6 months prior to import if it has not been determined the pet will be permitted for import.
• The vaccination must have been administered no less than 30 days prior, but no more than 12 months after entering Switzerland.

Antiques, Artifacts, Carpets, Paintings

Documents Required

• Written letter of confirmation
• List of paintings with artist names and values

Specific Regulations

• For all pictures and paintings, the owner of the goods must submit a letter to Customs attesting that none of the imported items are original artwork.

Restricted/Dutiable Items

• Food products
• Tobacco
• New articles and consumer goods, which do not correspond to normal household requirements
• Furnishings, which do not correspond to normal household requirements
• Weapons, including firearms (a permit is required)
• The following items are admitted duty and tax free, provided they are destined for one’s own requirements:
  • Used motor cars and/or used motor boats (at least 6 months)
  • Maximum 12 liters of hard liquor over 25% volume
  • Maximum 200 liters of red / white wine, champagne
  • Hunting rifles
• The following conditions apply to the import of alcohol:
  • Swiss Customs authorities will personally assess whether the quantity of alcoholic beverages imported corresponds with the size of the shipment.
  • The maximum duty-free allowance for:
    • Spirits and liquors exceeding 25% alcohol by volume is 12 liters
    • Red or white wine is 200 liters
    • Champagne or other alcohol less than 25% alcohol by volume, depends on the size of the shipment

Prohibited Items

• Drugs and narcotics
• Weapons (other than sporting and hunting guns)
• Ammunition
• Anti-radar equipment
• Animal products from protected / endangered species (ivory, skins etc.)
• Fake items (e.g. watches, faked brand name & model items)

Consignment Instructions

Recommended:  Contact the destination agent to ensure all requirements have been met prior to import, especially for differences regarding air / sea shipments.

Helpful Website(s):

http://www.state.gov/p/eur/ci/sz