Road vehicles and watercraft

Under customs law, vehicles are regarded as goods (such as clothing, foodstuffs or machinery). A distinction is made between domestic (duty paid) and foreign (duty unpaid) vehicles.

In principle, a vehicle's number plate shows whether it is duty paid or duty unpaid:

  • Vehicles with Swiss number plates = duty paid
  • Vehicles with foreign number plates = duty unpaid

You must spontaneously declare any vehicle(s) on which duty has not been paid to Swiss Customs.

The regulations and formalities depend on whether you are:

We are not able to provide you with any information on foreign regulations. Please direct your query to the foreign customs authorities.

Frequently asked questions (Vehicles FAQ)

 

You will find questions and answers about the coronavirus at www.ch.ch (in German, French or Italian).

https://www.bazg.admin.ch/content/bazg/en/home/information-individuals/road-vehicles-and-watercraft.html