No, you must go to the customs office for commercial goods during opening times.
1. Should I report in advance the passing through customs of my household effects?
2. What documents do I have to provide to import my household effects?
In order to import your household effects exempt from import duties, you will find the conditions to be met and the documents to be provided by clicking on the following link.
3. Do I have to fill in a specific form?
Yes, in order to import your household effects exempt from import duties, you must submit which you can fill in online by clicking on this link)
4. Where and when can I declare my household effects for importation?
Clearance of consignments of household effects can only take place in principle from Monday to Friday during the opening hours of the customs offices responsible for commercial goods (Saturday morning only some big customs offices are open).
5. When I get to the customs office with my household effects, which vehicle lane do I have to use?
You must follow the lane for clearance of commercial goods, i.e. that used by heavy goods vehicles
6. What structure should the inventory list of the household effects have and what details should it contain?
The inventory list may be drawn up on a blank sheet of paper, mentioning for example xx boxes of books, xx boxes of clothes and xx boxes of dishes.
Bulkier articles such as furniture, objects of value, big appliances, etc., or articles subject to restrictions such as alcoholic beverages, weapons, etc., are to be listed individually and in detail.
The goods for which the tax exemption conditions are not met (e.g. a purchase made less than six (6) months before the transfer of domicile) must be indicated at the bottom of the list under the heading "Goods to be taxed" indicating the value; providing purchase receipts facilitates taxation.
7. Why is the request for a residence permit being made? EU citizens do not need to provide a residence permit to settle in Switzerland.
It is a matter of providing proof of the transfer of domicile with the appropriate documents; see also question 9.
8. At the time of importation, I will not yet have all the papers required. Can I still import my household effects?
In a case such as this, the customs office will proceed with provisional clearance of the consignment and a guarantee will be required. After the required documents have been submitted within a deadline of six (6) months, the guarantee will be refunded after a handling fee has been deducted.
9. At the time of importation, I will not yet have my residence permit. How do I proceed?
Submitting the residence permit is not an absolute requirement. Proof that the transfer of domicile has taken place must be provided. The declaration of departure from the foreign country in connection with the contract of employment and the tenancy agreement may also act as proof. It is the customs office which is ultimately responsible for assessing whether or not the documents submitted are sufficient for the conditions for tax exemption to be met. In the case of insufficient documentation, please refer to question 8.
10. I would like to import my household effects in several stages. How do I proceed?
Subsequent consignments must already be declared to the customs office at the time of the initial consignment on a separate list. This may also concern a vehicle. The detailed formalities must be attended to directly with the customs office concerned. If the consignment was not reported at the time of the initial importation, please refer to question 11.
11. How much time do I have to import the items which are still abroad?
The household effects should be imported during the period of transfer of domicile. No problem is posed if this occurs within a period of 2 years. The main prerequisite that the articles should have been used for a period of at least six (6) months before the transfer of domicile must nonetheless be respected. With regard to subsequent consignments, tax exemption will only be granted under certain conditions.
12. In form no. 18.44, what has to be noted in the section "Preceding document"?
This section has to be filled in at the customs office where the import formalities are to be carried out.
13. How can I determine the weight and value of my household effects?
You can make a rough estimate. The amount they are ensured for may provide you with an indication. The removals company may be able to help you in estimating the weight.
14. When and how do I have to declare my car for importation?
The vehicle must be declared directly on importation into Switzerland. If the household effects and the car are imported separately, the procedure must be carried out as indicated under question 10; separate clearance at a different customs office is also possible.
15. I have owned the car for less than six (6) months. Will I have to pay import taxes?
Available in German, French and Italian
16. When will I have to change my car?s/vehicle?s registration number?
This question has to be resolved independently of the customs formalities. Customs formalities must in all cases be carried out when the vehicle is imported before changing the registration number of the car. Registration can be carried out up to one year after the transfer of domicile. You will find further details on this topic at the Road Traffic Office in your canton of domicile.
17. My car has been used by me for more than six (6) months but the papers of the vehicle are in the name of my father/ mother/ employer. How do I proceed?
In addition to the documents belonging to the vehicle a declaration from the person/company shown in the documents has to be submitted. It must be clear which person(s), from when and for what reason the vehicle was used by the person(s) other than those mentioned in the documents belonging to the vehicle.
18. My vehicle is leased. Does that influence the customs formalities?
No, customs formalities do not take account of the fact that the vehicle is leased but the number plate change may be affected. For more information, please enquire at the Road Traffic Office in your canton of domicile.
19. Does my horse come under the category for household effects?
Yes, provided the conditions in this are met.
20. Animals will be involved in the move. How do I proceed?
In terms of exemption from the payment of duties the same rules apply as for goods. The animals must therefore be mentioned in the inventory list. Nonetheless, please also note the veterinary regulations to be followed. You can obtain further information from the Federal Food Safety and Veterinary Office FSVO in Bern (https://www.blv.admin.ch/). If the animals are to be imported separately from the household effects, please see question 10.
21. Plants will be involved in the move. Is this authorised?
House plants are not subject to any particular restrictions.
22. In my household effects are items made of ivory/partially made of ivory (e.g. a piano, statu-ettes, etc.), stuffed animals, etc. Are there any particular formalities?
Yes, you can obtain the necessary information on this topic from the Federal Food Safety and Veterinary Office in Bern (https://www.blv.admin.ch/).
23. There are weapons in my household effects. Are there particular formalities?
Yes, you can obtain the necessary information on this topic from the Federal Police Office in Bern (infozsw@fedpol.admin.ch).
24. Are there other requirements that I should be aware of during the importation of my house-hold effects?
Yes, but the list below is not exhaustive.
Motorway vignette
Vehicles with a permissible maximum weight of up to 3.5 tonnes are subject to a charge for the use of motorways. For more details click here.
Heavy vehicle charge
Vehicles with a permissible maximum weight greater than 3.5 tonnes are subject to a heavy vehicle charge for the use of all roads. For more details click here.
Overloading Please ensure that the vehicle transporting the household effects is within the load weight indicated in the vehicle documents. In the event of excess weight, the customs office will not allow you to continue your journey.
Driving hours Vehicles with a permissible maximum weight of more than 3.5 tonnes are subject to a driving ban during the night from 10 p.m. to 5 a.m. as well as on Sundays and on public holidays.Importation of animals See question 20
Importation of protected plants and animals (Washington Convention - CITES). See question 22
Importation of weapons See question 23
The above-mentioned list is not exhaustive.
25. Exportation : I will be moving from Switzerland to live abroad. What export formalities must be carried out?
All you need to do is to submit an inventory list in duplicate indicating your addresses to the customs office for commercial goods during opening hours. With regard to the entry formalities of your country of destination, the authorities of the foreign country will be able to provide you with more information.
