Removals to Switzerland: Customs Information

Removals to Switzerland . Moving House Overseas . Removals to Europe

Removals to Switzerland and other overseas destinations are more complicated than moving house within the UK due to the Customs & Excise regulations applied to importing your belongings.

International removals to Switzerland and other overseas destinations are more complicated than moving house within the UK due to the Customs & Excise regulations applied to importing your belongings.

We have put together a guide to current Swiss Customs & Excise regulations for our removals to Switzerland customers. Please note that information is correct at time of publishing but may change at any time. Hamilton’s European removals department will guide you through all relevant Customs & Excise regulations prior to your overseas move.

Removals to Switzerland: Swiss Customs Information

Household goods can be imported duty free into Switzerland provided that:

• You have arrived in Switzerland and taken up residency prior to your goods arriving through customs.
• All items (including cars, aircrafts, boats etc) have been used and owned by you for at least 6 months and remain in your possession for at least one year.
• The importation takes place during the first year period of transfer of your residence.
• Any foreseen subsequent consignment must be reported and listed at the time of the initial importation.
• Any wedding presents are shipped within 3 months of the date of the wedding.

Restricted Items Include:

• New items (less than six months old) will require a purchase invoice and must be listed separately on the inventory
• Alcohol must be declared
• Foodstuffs
• Inheritance items

We recommend that appliances and restricted items be loaded last into the container.

Removals to Switzerland: Prohibited Items:

• Drugs and narcotics
• Weapons and ammunition (sporting and hunting guns may be imported with a permit)
• Anti-radar equipment
• Animal products from protected or endangered species
• Cleaning fluids

We will require the following documentation to clear your goods through customs and will require this prior to the date of your removal:

• ORIGINAL customs form 18.44
• Packing list of shipment (this will be completed by our removal team)
• Good readable copy of passport
• Swiss residence permit (if not Swiss)
• Lease or property title of house/apartment
• Registration by the city hall

In certain cases should some of the above information not be available at the time of your removal then temporary customs clearance can be obtained at an additional cost. However to avoid paying duty and tax the documentation will need to be supplied within a certain time frame and our European coordinators will be able to advise you on this.

Removals to Switzerland: Importing Cars and Motor Vehicles

You can import a vehicle duty free into Switzerland provided that it is used and over six months old and the car complies with Swiss Government regulations.  It is then prohibited to sell the vehicle for up to twelve months after the import. 

New cars may be imported but are subject to VAT, duty and statistical tax.

The following documents will be required:

• Passport
• Work permit
• Title
• Purchase invoice
• Form 18.44
• Proof of residence
• Valid driver’s licence
• Foreign registration card
• Car licence from previous country
• Household goods inventory
• Swiss insurance receipt

Pets

Dogs, cats and birds are permitted into Switzerland provided they have been vaccinated against rabies at least 30 days beforehand and have proof of inoculation. Quarantine may be required.

Removals to Switzerland: Other Useful Information

Removals to Switzerland – Click here for a free detailed quote of your move, or contact us to discuss your requirements.

Click here to download the required customs documentation