Customs clearance: compare quotes and prices

Explain why the goods cross the border

A sale, house move, exhibition and repair are different situations. Describe the actual purpose without needing to select the customs procedure yourself. Transit, temporary admission and returns can require a later discharge of the procedure.

Professional or exhibition equipment may qualify for particular arrangements depending on its use and the country. An ATA Carnet is not suitable for every purpose. Goods sent for repair should not automatically be treated as exhibition equipment returning unchanged.

Prepare specific information

Give the goods, departure and destination countries, transport mode and planned date. «Accessories» is too vague: material, use and model can affect classification. Several different product types often require more work than many identical units.

Depending on the case, execution requires an invoice or other value evidence, packing list, weights, party details, delivery terms and existing customs documents. Information must agree across records. Tariff codes, permits and origin evidence need appropriate checks; do not guess missing codes.

Known essentials and the status of the documents are enough for an initial enquiry. Powers of attorney, identity copies and complete commercial records should follow through the agreed channel when the actual appointment is made.

Separate service fees from import charges

The provider charges for its work. Public charges and disbursements may be additional, alongside transport, storage, inspections, extra declaration lines or corrections. A low clearance fee therefore does not necessarily mean a low total bill.

Confirm whether import and export formalities, additional commodity lines, advancement fees and VAT are included. Regular-shipment tariffs should define their standard scope and extra charges.

The Swiss import tax assessment generally involves more than the goods price: relevant costs to the destination can also be included if not already counted. A gift or free sample is not automatically tax-free merely because the purchase price is zero.

Duty-free does not mean no formalities

Switzerland largely abolished industrial tariffs at the beginning of 2024. This does not automatically remove commercial declaration requirements, import tax or other obligations. Agricultural products and product-specific rules require separate consideration.

Dispatch country and goods origin are different facts. Evidence requirements depend on the product, any preference claimed and possible re-export. Industrial goods staying in Switzerland have different origin-document considerations from a later preferential export.

Household effects are a separate case

Personal belongings may qualify for relief when moving residence to Switzerland, subject to conditions. These generally include at least six months of prior personal use and continued personal use after import. Recently purchased items therefore need to be distinguished.

Form 18.44, an inventory and evidence of the residence move are relevant. Raise vehicles and later consignments early. A move out of Switzerland also involves destination-country rules; the Swiss provision is not a worldwide exemption.

Confirm responsibilities before crossing

Check whether both Swiss and foreign clearance are covered and who instructs the carrier. For a parcel already dispatched, first establish whether clearance sits with the existing carrier to avoid duplicate appointments.

The customs office, clearance hours and document readiness must fit the journey. Passenger opening hours do not guarantee commercial goods processing. After completion, the relevant parties should receive the assessment and discharge evidence.