The customs and the uniformed and armed Swiss Border Guard (SBG) perform various tasks for the state, the economy and the population.
Tasks of the Federal Customs Administration
Contribution towards national security
Combat illegal activities
Increased security by way of mobile presence in the border regions; combat of crime and illegal migration (e.g. people and vehicle searches); combat against drug trafficking and document forgery etc.
Protecting the population and the environment
Food inspection at the border; protection of animals, plants and endangered species; inspection of traffic carrying hazardous goods and radioactive and poisonous substances; precious metal assaying etc.
Public security
Control of the trafficking in arms and combat equipment as well as of goods used for both military and civil aims and explosive substances; enforcement of traffic regulations for incoming and outgoing traffic; enforcement of embargoes etc.
Economic tasks
Protection and checks
Control of the import and export of certain goods, protection of agriculture; protection of trade marks, indications of geographical origin, design and copy rights; national economic supply etc.
Taxation
Customs duties; value added tax; mineral oil, car, tobacco and beer taxes; spirits tax; incentive tax, heavy vehicle tax and national road tax etc.
Various services
Statistics on foreign trade and transit traffic etc.
Cooperation with foreign authorities and organizations
International transit; official and legal assistance; participation in international missions etc.
