Documents Required

• 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 Information

• 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.

Documents Required

• Official foreign driver’s license

• Original certificate title

• Original bill of sale / purchase invoice

• Condition report

Specific Information

• 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)

Documents Required

• Vaccination record

• Veterinarian health certificate in German, French, Italian, or English

• Blood analysis

Specific Information

• 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 vaccineli>

• 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 nomore than 12 months after entering Switzerland.

Documents Required

• Written letter of confirmation

• List of paintings with artist names and values

Specific Information

• 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

• 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)