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MOVING TO SWITZERLAND

   Alcoholic Beverages and Tobacco

Documents Required

  1. If within allowance, no documents necessary
  2. If more than' allowed, import license and invoice

Customs Regulations
Alcohol is a duty free entry, if:

  1. entered into Switzerland with household goods
  2. wine is in quantity less than 200 liters
  3. liquor in quantity less than 12 titers.

If more than the above figures, an import license will be required with payment of tax and duty as below:

  1. wine:ICHA Tax: 6,20% if for private use, 9.3% if for resale: duty SER 59.00/100 kg. gross.
  2. liquor: ICHA tax same as wine. Duty: between SFR 50.00 and SFR 80.00 per 100 kg. gross.

   Tobacco

Generally no allowance for duty free entry of tobacco is granted Duty-SFR 1,700/100 kg. gross. Each adult person is allowed to hand carry 200 cigarettes or 50 cigars or 250 grams of tobacco for pipes.

Clearance
1 to 3 days. Customer presence required for clearance? No

Remarks

  1. Form 18.44 must be signed by shipper
  2. possibility to do a provisional clearance if the shipper has not met all of the documentation requirements at the time of customs entry; it normally involves additional charges for provisional customs clearance, setting up of Customs bond and later cancellation. The Customs bond will be refunded less a small fee, once the missing papers are presented with the proper time frame. It should be further noted that Switzerland will charge a G.S.T. of about 6.5%.

 

   Diplomatic Removals

Documents required
Custom's form 14.60 must be stamped and signed by the appropriate Consulate/Embassy in Switzerland with inventory and must be submitted to customs, if possible, prior to the arrival of the goods.

Customs Regulations
Usually customs never do inspection on diplomatic goods

Clearance
Between 1 hour and 1/2 day. Customer presence required for clearance? No

Remarks
Request should be made only by the Foreign Consulate or Embassy in Switzerland.

   Firearms and Weapons

Documents Required
Import license of the Military Dept. except for shotgun.

Customs Regulations
If goods in shipper's ownership since more than 6 months at time of importation custom's entry is free of tax and duty.

Clearance
1 week. Customer presence required for clearance? No

Remarks
Check with your agent Swiss Customs requirements at Port of Entry before shipping.

   Household Goods and Personal Effects

Documents Required

  1. Customs form 18.44
  2. Inventory of household goods in either French, German, or Italian (we will take care of translation if required)
  3. Passport or photocopy
  4. Permit of residence or that it is in the process of being granted
  5. Home rental contract or purchase act

Customs Regulations
Clearance free of taxes, if the goods have been used more than 6 months and the shipper states he is going to use them during at least one year.

Clearance
1 hour to 1/2 day if free of taxes, or half day to one week if taxes have to be paid. Customer presence may be required for clearance.

Remarks

  1. Form 18.44 must be signed by shipper
  2. Possibility to do a provisional clearance if the shipper has not one of the documents required available at time of customs entry with the exception of home rental contract that is absolutely needed

   New Furniture

Documents Required

  1. Complete Sales Invoices clearly identifying items and indicating sale price, date, and year of purchase and place of purchase
  2. If no invoices, an inventory with all details and values should be presented to the customs

Customs Regulations

  1. items purchased within 6 months of import are subject to customs taxes and duties as follows: ICHA Tax

    (a)if goods are for personal use - 6.2% of value.

    (b)if goods are for resale - 9.3% of value. DUTY: about SFR. 1.-/kg (about US$25 per 100 lbs) Goods manufactured in EEC countries are duty free. Some partial or total exemptions are granted for other countries (but not for USA)

  2. Swiss customs usually adds 20% on the given value, if no invoice is presented. The given value may be checked by an expert designated by Swiss customs.

Clearance
Between 1/2 day and 1 week. Customer presence required for clearance? No

Remarks
Important customs broker's charge will be assessed

   Other Valuable Items

Documents Required
Invoice

Customs Regulations

  1. Jewelry is submitted to the Control of Valuable Metals (CMP) except items dated more than 100 years old
  2. If goods in shipper's ownership since more than 6 months at time of importation, custom's entry is free of tax and duty

Clearance
Between 2 hours and 1 day. Customer presence required for clearance? No

Remarks

  1. Valuables such as jewelry should be hand carried by owner
  2. Recommend antiques and paintings be evaluated prior to shipping
  3. Old paintings might require treatment/cleaning

   Pets and Animals

Documents Required

  1. Proof of innoculation
  2. Veterinary attestation
  3. Anti-rabies shot made at least one month before but no more than one year before customs entry

Customs Regulations
If goods in shippers ownership since more than 6 months at time of importation, customs entry is free of tax and duty

Clearance
One hour. Customer presence required for clearance? yes

Remarks

  1. Before importation, it is better to take information from your agent
  2. Endangered species and exotic animals can inhibit importation

   Vehicles

Documents Required

  1. Car license
  2. Liability insurance

Customs Regulations
If goods in shipper's ownership since more than 6 months at time of importation, customs entry is free of tax and duty.

Clearance
Between 1 hour and 1/2 day. Customer presence required for clearance? May be required

Remarks

  1. After customs formalities all vehicles are subject to control at the local 'Car Office'
  2. Following transformations may be required if needed: adjustment of lightings, safety belts on the seats behind, control of the tires
  3. Other requirements are as follows:

    (a) Manufacturer's attestation that vehicle is built according to the antipollution norms US 83 to be presented at the Car Office (only valid for vehicles made in USA)

    (b) anti-noise test is compulsory

    (c) Antipollution test is compulsory only for vehicles in shipper's ownership since less than 6 months at time of Importation or if shipper is not importing vehicle with his household goods.

 

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