News
- Media information
  
  This page contains our press releases, the documents to do with media conferences, images and contact information for media representatives.
  
  General News
  
  Here you will find announcements destined for private individuals and companies. These may be warnings of phishing emails or information on Switzerland's free trade agreements, etc.
  
  Specialist announcements
  
  This page contains new items entered for specialists. They provide important information on origin/free trade, the customs tariff, regulations, etc.
  
  Forum D.
  
  The customs magazine is available in German, French or Italian.
  
  Subscribing to news
  
  You can subscribe to news on diverse customs topics via the Confederation news service. This includes amongst other things Swiss foreign trade statistics and free trade agreements, etc.
Topics
- Free trade agreements, origin
  
  Switzerland has concluded free trade agreements with various countries. You will find all the information you need in this section. IMPORTANT: as of 1.9.2021, new rules of origin («transitional rules») will be gradually introduced in the Pan-Euro-Med Zone.
  
  Abolition of industrial tariffs
  
  The State Secretariat for Economic Affairs (SECO) is in charge of the abolition of industrial tariffs. The Federal Office for Customs and Border Security FOCBS is responsible for implementation.
  
  DaziT transformation programme
  
  With the DaziT transformation programme, the FCA is gradually evolving to become the Federal Office for Customs and Border Security (FOCBS).
  
  Foreign trade statistics
  
  We prepare, manage and publish the Swiss foreign trade statistics. In this section, you will find numerous tables and charts, and information on Swiss imports and exports. The data can be consulted by country, item and mode of transport, etc.
  
  Taxes and fees
  
  We levy taxes and duties on goods in cross-border traffic on behalf of Switzerland. These include customs duties, the heavy vehicle charge, value added tax, mineral oil tax, alcohol duty and tobacco duty. These taxes and duties account for around a third of all general government receipts.
  
  Precious Metal Control
  
  All that glitters is not gold. Consequently, our Central Office for Precious Metal Control is tasked with checking goods made from gold, silver and platinum. If you wish to buy a piece of jewellery abroad, you can find out in this section what you need to look out for.
  
  Foreign assignments
  
  We make a contribution to security at home and abroad with foreign assignments at the Schengen external borders. Examples include experts in peacekeeping missions and air marshals on board Swiss-registered aircraft.
  
  Alcohol
  
  We are in charge of practical implementation of the alcohol law. All spirits, brandies, aperitifs, etc. as well as high-grade alcohol for industrial purposes come under this law.
  
  Appeals
  
  If you disagree with one of our decisions, you can submit an appeal. You can find out here when, to whom and in what form you can do this.
Information companies
- Importation into Switzerland
  
  Here, you will find all information for companies on customs regulations and procedures for importing goods into Switzerland. A checklist will guide you through the most common import procedure: from the preliminary clarifications to the downstream procedural steps and costs.
  
  Exportation from Switzerland
  
  Here, you will find all information for companies on customs regulations and procedures for exporting goods out of Switzerland. A checklist will guide you through the most common export procedure: from the preliminary clarifications to the downstream procedural steps and costs.
  
  Transit through Switzerland
  
  Here, you will find all information for companies on customs regulations and procedures for the transit of goods through Switzerland. A checklist will give you an overview of transit procedures such as the common transit procedure (CTP).
  
  Domestic taxes and duties
  
  We levy a number of taxes and duties within Switzerland as well. These include mineral oil tax, CO₂ tax, VOC incentive fee, automobile duty, spirits tax, beer tax and tobacco duty. You will find all of the relevant information in this section.
  
  Transport levies and road traffic law
  
  Road levies are incurred when goods are transported in Switzerland. Depending on the vehicle and the roads you use, these include the motorway tax sticker and the performance-related or lump-sum heavy vehicle charge.
  
  Bans, restrictions and conditions
  
  Here, you will find all information for companies on bans, restrictions and conditions for certain goods. These generally apply to both importation and exportation, as well as transit through Switzerland.
  
  Most searched keywords
  
  In this section, you will find the topics that are most frequently searched for by companies. They are divided into importation into Switzerland, exportation and transit.
  
  Specialist announcements
  
  Here you will find all the news on customs regulations and procedures such as free trade, the customs tariff and other specific topics for specialists.
  
  Opening hours and public holidays
  
  Here you will find the list of customs offices, including contact details for each office, as well as the specific opening hours for declaring merchandise.
  
  Am I a private individual or a company?
  
  Different customs regulations and procedures generally apply for companies and individuals. However, there are exceptions. You will find the customs definition of companies and individuals, including examples, here.
Information individuals
- Most searched keywords
  
  Ordering products from abroad, moving to Switzerland, cross-border shopping, vehicle importation, etc. In this section, you will find the topics which are asked about most often. This is split up into importation into Switzerland, exportation and transit.
  
  Documents for travellers and road taxes
  
  To enter Switzerland, you need a valid travel document (passport, identity card) and, depending on the country of origin, a visa. A motorway charge is levied for vehicles of up to 3.5 tonnes and a heavy vehicle charge is levied for lorries.
  
  Travel and purchases, allowances and duty-free limit
  
  If you are carrying goods and animals, you have to comply with regulations when you cross the border. In addition, costs can be incurred. In this section, we provide information on the provisions for entering Switzerland as well as exportation and transit.
  
  Online shopping, mail and courier consignments
  
  Consignments to and from foreign countries (e.g. repair consignments) are considered to be commercial goods – there is no tax-free limit of CHF 150. In this section, we point out the responsibilities and the possible costs that might arise for you.
  
  Personal property, students, holiday homes, getting married and inheritance
  
  Household effects, wedding trousseaux and inherited property which you are take with you when moving house to or from Switzerland can be imported or exported without paying taxes or duty – if you observe the corresponding regulations.
  
  Road vehicles and watercraft
  
  Travellers resident abroad can import vehicles for personal use into Switzerland. Other vehicles must be declared at the border. This is possible during office hours on working days, as well as on Saturday mornings in the case of certain customs offices.
  
  Animals and plants
  
  Do you want to go away on a trip with your domestic pet or purchase exclusive souvenirs, plants or foodstuffs for yourself and your friends at home? Then it is best to find out before you leave what is permitted or which authorisations must be obtained.
  
  Bans, restrictions and authorisations
  
  Many goods may not be imported into Switzerland at all, or else in restricted quantities or only with special authorisation. These include cash, weapons, drugs, narcotics, cultural property, counterfeit brand-name products and medications.
  
  Declaring goods
  
  In this section, you will find out everything on how you can declare personal goods to us. The information is split up into importation, exportation and transit. Above all, please take note of the different opening times and services of the customs offices.
  
  Opening hours and holidays
  
  Customs declarations can be made during normal clearance times on working days; some customs offices are also open on Saturday mornings. On Sundays and national holidays, the customs offices are closed for commercial goods traffic and there is a driving ban on lorries.
Services
- Services for companies
  
  Customs offers companies a wide range of applications and services for their customs activities.
  
  Services for individuals
  
  Customs also offers private individuals various applications that facilitate customs clearance activities. For example, the QuickZoll app, which you can use to clear goods yourself.
  
  News on services
  
  Keep up to date with the latest news on electronic services.
  
  Contact details and opening hours
  
  You will find all customs hotlines as well as the opening hours and contact details of customs offices here.
  
  Forms and factsheets
  
  Here you will find an overview of all customs forms and factsheets.
  
  Am I an individual or a company?
  
  Find out whether Customs considers you as a company or an individual.
Documentationcurrent page
- Legal foundations
  
  Customs law and customs tariff law essentially regulate the movement of people and goods crossing the Swiss border, including the levying of duties. There are also other laws and legislative texts that regulate the performance of customs tasks.
  
  Regulations
  
  Here you will find provisions on the topics of assessment, tariffs, duties and non customs tasks which will enable you to apply the legal provisions correctly. This specific information is aimed primarily at specialists.
  
  Forms, factsheets and publications
  
  Value added tax, customs tariffs, free trade agreements, VOCs, Border Guard, facts and figures on customs: the FOCBS keeps you informed regularly about various customs-specific matters with the Forum Z. magazine and many other publications.
  
  E-Learning of the FOCBS
  
  Tares, preferential origin and free trade agreements, euro-med: to give you a clear idea, the FOCBS provides e-learning modules that you can benefit from whenever you have time.
  
  Our films
  
  Did you know that we do not just carry out controls at the border to determine who enters Switzerland or what is exported from Switzerland? Take a look at the varied world of the Federal Office for Customs and Border Security.
The FOCBS
- Management
  
  The Federal Office for Customs and Border Security is the largest administration unit in the Finance Department with 4000 employees. Here you will find the management staff.
  
  Mandate
  
  We make a considerable contribution to the security and protection of the population, the economy, the Swiss state and plants and animals.
  
  Organization
  
  The FOCBS is divided into six directorates.
  
  Facts & figures
  
  The Federal Office for Customs and Border Security provides comprehensive security at the border – for the benefit of the public, the business community and the state. Would you like to know what we have achieved in the past year? Here you will find everything from species protection to customs clearance and the respective figures.
  
  Legal basis
  
  We operate on the basis of Article 133 of the Federal Constitution and the Customs Act. According to these, the Confederation is responsible for customs duties and other duties.
  
  Careers and training
  
  We train customs and border security specialists and assayers, and provide various types of apprenticeships and internships.
  
  Top-class sport in the FOCBS
  
  The FOCBS sponsors top-ranking Swiss sportsmen and sportswomen. It provides support for them in combining their work and sports careers.
  
  Job opportunities
  
  Job vacancies in the Confederation (Stellenangebot des Bundes) provides information on vacancies with us and in other federal authorities. The content is available in German, French or Italian.
  
  Customs Museum
  
  Start of season: Easter Sunday, 20 april 2025
  End of season: Sunday 19 October 2025
  
  Contact
  
  We have various support units and contact points on different topics and systems such as for example foreign trade statistics, general customs questions and freight applications.