How to Export to Switzerland - Export to Switzerland

Documentation

All imported or exported goods must be presented to the appropriate customs office and declared for clearance. Goods imported into Switzerland must be declared to customs within the following time limits from arrival in the country: by road, 24 hours; river, 48 hours; rail, 7 days; and by air, 7 days. The importer may examine goods before submitting them for clearance. For Swiss customs purposes, an ordinary commercial invoice in duplicate or triplicate is considered sufficient documentation. The invoice should contain the following details: description of the products and packaging, gross and net weight of each package, quantity (in metric terms), country of origin, and value CIF (cost, insurance and freight) to the Swiss border. As Swiss duties are specific, indication of value is required only for statistical purposes. No consular or other stamp is required.

A certificate of origin is not normally required. An exception is if preferential duty rates are requested. Additionally, a certificate of origin may be required for health reasons (meats and plants) or for reasons of quality control (appellation wine).

Special health certificates, stamped by the competent authorities of the country of origin, are required for the import of horses, bovine animals, farm animals, certain domestic animals, bees and eggs for hatching, as well as for meat, game, seafood, beeswax and comb honey. Official plant health certificates of the country of origin must accompany shipments of some vegetables, fresh fruits and wild plants.

Swiss importers are normally cooperative in informing the exporter of Swiss requirements, and in assisting in meeting those requirements from the Swiss side.