Exporting to Switzerland: 5 tips
All you need to know
Switzerland is not only a fine holiday country, but also a very attractive trading partner outside the European Union (EU) and offers numerous export opportunities. But exporting to Switzerland comes with specific rules and obligations. Below, we list everything.
Are export documents required?
Yes, you need export documents for exports to Switzerland, as Switzerland is not an EU member state. The most important documents are an export invoice, EUR-1 certificate, export declaration (also called EX-A) and transport documents.
An export invoice clearly states the details of the goods, the value of the goods and the commercial transaction.
With a EUR-1 certificate, importers in Switzerland benefit from reduced or no import duties. This is thanks to the trade agreement between the EU and Switzerland.
The export declaration, or EX-A document, is required by customs when leaving the EU.
Transport documents is a CMR waybill.
What should you pay attention to when exporting to Switzerland?
What you need to watch out for are customs rules. Switzerland has its own customs legislation, separate from the EU. Our customs department can advise you on this. Another thing to watch out for is import tax. The importer in Switzerland has to pay Swiss VAT (currently 7.7%) on imported goods. A certificate of origin is required to comply with rules of origin and possible tax benefits.
Do we need to clear customs in Switzerland and what are the costs?
Yes, goods must be cleared in Switzerland. Customs clearance is carried out by Swiss customs or a customs agent. The cost of customs clearance varies depending on the value and nature of the goods. The exact costs can range from several tens to hundreds of euros.
Who pays the clearance charges?
This depends on the agreements made between exporter and importer. This is often laid down in Incoterms. With DDP (Delivered Duty Paid), for example, the exporter pays the costs, while with EXW (Ex Works) the importer is responsible. Want to know what Incoterms mean? Read here and get informed.
Which goods are you allowed to export to Switzerland and which are not?
Most goods may be exported to Switzerland without restrictions, but there are exceptions:
- Permitted goods: industrial products, agricultural products, electronics, clothing, etc.
- Prohibited or controlled goods: weapons, certain chemicals and products covered by CITES (protected species)
It is important to check beforehand whether your goods fall under prohibited or regulated categories.
Trade Agreement with Switzerland
Switzerland is not a member of the European Union. If you want to export products to this country, the goods have to pass customs in the EU and in Switzerland. Usually importers make the import declaration in Switzerland, after which they pay import duties. The EU has a with Switzerland. This contains agreements on, for example, customs duties. Thus, Swiss importers pay less import duties when they import products from the EU. Or they even pay nothing at all.
Less duties
Do you want a discount or exemption from import duties for your Swiss customer? This is possible with an EUR.1 or EUR-MED certificate or an invoice declaration. Your product must be entirely or mostly made or processed in the EU. These rules are known as preferential origin rules. If these certificates or declarations are not included with the shipment, your customer will pay the normal Swiss import tariff.
Other VAT
Apart from possible import duties, your Swiss customers always pay other taxes for importing products. For example btw or excise duty. It depends on the type of product you want to export.
Want to know more? Our customs department can provide you with advice. Feel free to drop by for a cup of coffee. Do make an appointment with us first customs team. Or do you want a quotation received? Ask at us on! We love doing it.
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