Switzerland

Switzerland Customs Contacts

Website: http://www.ezv.admin.ch/index.html?lang=en

Tel: +41 58 467 15 15

Switzerland is a country situated in Western and Central Europe, bordered by Italy, France, Germany, Austria and Liechtenstein. It is a member of the Euro-Atlantic Partnership Council, European Free Trade Association (EFTA), International Chamber of Commerce, World Trade Organization, Organization for Economic Cooperation and Development (OECD) and other international organizations.

Tariffs

The Swiss customs tariff, is based on the internationally valid Harmonized System (HS). The first six digits of the eight digit Swiss tariff headings correspond to the HS.

Product certification, labelling and packaging

CE marking is not required in Switzerland.

Although not part of the EU, Switzerland is a member of the European Free Trade Association (EFTA). To facilitate free trade with the EU, Swiss legislation has adapted to EU law in several areas.

There are different requirements with regard to product safety. Suppliers and manufacturers need to ensure products are safe under Swiss regulations. Products have to:

meet relevant safety standards
have clear instructions for proper use
include warnings against possible misuse

You should translate your documentation to one or more of Switzerland’s four main languages; German, French, Italian or Romansch.

Being a member of European agency for standards (CEN), Switzerland adopts any new European standards in reconciliation with any conflicting national standards.

The harmonised standards may be ordered from the Swiss Association for Standardization (SNV).

Methods of quoting and payment

Quotations should be in Swiss Franc (CHF) or dollars.

The most popular payment method by which Swiss importers send payment to their foreign suppliers is by electronic funds transfer.

The letter of credit is still used in some industry sectors, but covers a fraction of total imports, largely due to its cost and time requirements and ease in obtaining credit ratings, which increases transparency and transactional safety.

Documentary requirements

Pro-forma invoice

This may occasionally be requested by the importer. A minimum of two copies is required.

Commercial invoice

No prescribed form and a minimum of two copies is required. The invoice must include: