Importation checklist

Merchandise that is imported into Switzerland must be declared to Swiss Customs in writing or electronically.

An overview of the import procedure is provided below. You can carry out the listed steps yourself or, if necessary, appoint a service provider (haulage firm, courier firm, customs clearance agency) for some or all of the procedure.

How to proceed when importing

General prerequisites

Check beforehand

• whether your goods may be imported and whether you have to observe certain import regulations. General information on bans, restrictions and authorisation requirements can be found on our website. You will find this information and the specific tariff number for your goods in the customs tariff Tares.
  
•  in the customs tariff Tares, whether you can obtain a duty reduction or exemption for your goods based on their origin:
  o The Tares remarks (PDF, 16 kB, 01.01.2024) contain further information on free trade agreements.
  o Likewise, the Tares remarks provide an overview of the preferential tariffs for developing countries (PDF, 34 kB, 01.04.2024).
• with the foreign customs authorities, which export regulations apply for the country of origin and which transit regulations apply for any transit countries.
• whether the accompanying documents from the foreign exporter/consignor are complete: the most important accompanying documents are commercial invoices, preference certificates, proofs of origin, any authorisations/certificates and official confirmations or analysis certificates (see previous points).
• whether you have a UID if the declaration is to be made electronically.

Goods declaration

• The declaration can be in French, German or Italian.
• If you are declaring your goods yourself, choose one of the following platforms to enter your goods declaration electronically:
  o web application without registration: e-dec web
  o B2B interface with registration: e-dec Import
• Enter the information required according to e-dec web (tariff number, UID, etc.) or e-dec Import based on the accompanying documents and any proofs of origin.
• Timeframes: at the latest, the goods declaration must be available when the goods are brought into the customs territory.
  E-dec web: the declaration can be entered in the system a maximum of 30 days before importation. Once you have declared the goods at the office and they have been accepted, you must import them within 24 hours.
  E-dec Import: the e-dec user sends the goods declaration to us via e-dec. The data may be transmitted a maximum of 24 hours before importation (prior notification). We immediately inform the user that the goods are "blocked" or "free". "Blocked" means that the transporter must report to the office with accompanying documents. If necessary, we carry out an inspection. "Free" means that the transporter can import the goods directly.
• Print out the goods declaration (import list and delivery order). Give this to the transporter, together with relevant accompanying documents (invoice, proof of origin, transit document, etc.) and your goods.
  

Transport and border crossing

• Your transporter brings the goods declaration and the accompanying documents to the counter of the neighbouring foreign customs office, where the required documents must be presented in accordance with the clarifications. An inspection can also be carried out here. Swiss Customs cannot provide any information on foreign regulations for legal reasons. You will find a selection of foreign customs authorities here.
• The transporter then reports to the Swiss customs office. Merchandise can be imported solely at certain customs offices -> note the customs office opening hours.
• The FOCBS subsequently issues the assessment decision (eVV). Payment: as an importing company, you can obtain the assessment decision electronically (if you have a customs account, CSP); otherwise, the transporter pays directly at the counter (cash payer). You can find information on registering here.
• We may carry out a physical goods inspection to check whether the information in the goods declaration is correct.
• The importation of goods is usually subject to levies such as value added tax, customs duties, etc. If you do not have a CSP account, the taxes and duties incurred must be paid onsite by the transporter, e.g. using a credit card, TWINT, cash, etc.
• Performance-related heavy vehicle charge (LSVA) for vehicles weighing more than 3.5 tonnes in total: if the transporter does not use an LSVA device, emotach, or EETS, we will register the vehicle. We then give the transporter an LSVA ID card to declare the mileage and pay the LSVA at a staffed customs office when leaving Switzerland.
• The transporter must remove the released goods within 24 hours.

Downstream procedural steps

• You can request a subsequent correction of your goods declaration or appeal an assessment decision (eVV) within 60 days (correction request).
• Please consult this information page of the Federal Tax Administration regarding the eVV archiving provisions.

Costs

• Declaration platforms:
  o E-dec web can be used free of charge.
  o You can purchase the e-dec Import software from an external provider (PDF, 313 kB, 30.12.2019).
• Customs duties, value added tax or other levies may be incurred when importing merchandise into Switzerland. These are calculated based on the tariff number, quantity, weight and value of the goods, and the country of origin. All of the relevant information can be found in the customs tariff Tares.
• There are usually no levies in the exporting country – check with the authorities in the country of origin.
• If you commission a haulage or courier firm to transport and/or declare the goods, corresponding costs will be incurred.

Special procedures, depending on the case or company status

• If your company is an authorised consignee, the import procedure is simplified.
• There are separate procedures for temporary importation and re-exportation, and temporary use in Switzerland: temporary clearance ZAVV and/or ATA Carnet. The goods are not modified in Switzerland. Typical scenarios include fairs, exhibitions, horses, vintage cars, etc.
• Processing traffic, also called inward processing traffic, covers the temporary importation of goods for treatment, processing and repair.
• Periodic collective declaration (Periodic) for bulk goods such as gravel
• Bonded warehouses and warehousing traffic
  o Bonded warehouses
  o Open customs warehouses
  o Warehouses for bulk goods
• Authorised Economic Operator AEO
• Rural border traffic

Passar: changes for import from 2026

• The current freight applications NCTS and e-dec will be gradually replaced by the new goods traffic system «Passar».
• The changeover from e-dec Import to Passar will take place between the Q2 / 2026 and Q1 / 2027.

More information
 

Further info

Applications and services at a glance

Contact for companies

The most important contacts on topics such as the CPS customs account, HVF, technical operating support or the customs information centre.