Export to Switzerland outside the EU, customs procedures

Knowledge base

Export to Switzerland outside the EU, customs procedures

Shipping to Switzerland is export outside the EU customs territory. What procedures apply, what to watch with duty and origin, and how to avoid a border hold.

Export to Switzerland is dispatch outside the EU customs territory, so an EU export declaration and import clearance in Switzerland apply. Many industrial goods are duty-free, but some categories, especially agricultural and food, are subject to charges. The origin of the goods and a correct description decide how clearance goes.

Procedures in brief

  • An EU export declaration (EX/EAD) before leaving the customs territory.
  • The border crossing with the right documents.
  • Import clearance in Switzerland with charges assessed.
  • Delivery to the consignee in CH.
The EU customs territory is the area where goods move without internal duties. Switzerland is outside it, so a shipment to CH is treated as export, with the full customs procedure.

What to watch

Most problems come from incomplete documents, a wrong goods description or unclear origin. With agricultural and food goods there are extra requirements. So we ask for the details up front and confirm what charges and requirements apply to a specific load, instead of assuming it will be duty-free.

How we work

We have our own customs agencies and handle Switzerland customs as part of transport. We settle the documents ahead and run clearance so the border does not stop the delivery. We confirm the exact rates and requirements for your goods individually.

See transport to Switzerland, customs clearance and transport to Switzerland step by step.

Sources

Frequently asked questions

Is every product to Switzerland duty-free?
No. Many industrial goods are duty-free, but some categories, especially agricultural and food, are subject to charges. We confirm the exact rates individually.
What decides how clearance to CH goes?
The origin of the goods and a correct description. Most problems come from incomplete documents, a wrong description or unclear origin, so we settle this up front.
Do you run clearance together with transport to CH?
Yes. We have our own customs agencies and handle Switzerland customs as part of transport, run by one responsible contact.

Need transport or customs clearance?

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