.jpg)
Europe
Lane is Available
Import to Switzerland
Switzerland is a highly innovative country, with its financial industry being a driver for the country’s rapid digitalization. Switzerland’s strong automation sector also allows for high-quality goods, making it an attractive country with which to trade tech products.
Tax
Up to 8%
Duties
Up to 11%
Lead Times
1-2 Weeks
Restricted Items
N/A
Best Carrier Option
Freight Forwarder or Courier
Non-Working Days
Saturday, Sunday, and Public Holidays
Prominent Language
German, French, Italian
Exporting and Importing from Switzerland
Switzerland is located in central Europe, making it easily accessible for trading with the rest of Europe. Its most significant trading partners include Germany, the United States, and China. The country primarily imports machinery and equipment and exports Pharmaceuticals. Although Switzerland is not part of the European Union, it has achieved strong integration within Europe, with various agreements in place allowing for the easy flow of trade.
Switzerland is also a tech and innovation hub, making it a test market for IT products. It is Europe’s leader in terms of the number of billion-dollar tech startups per capita, which is supported by its affluent population and gross domestic product of 884.94 billion USD.
This has resulted in Switzerland producing high-quality products and expanding its investment in global trade. However, the high standards and quality level required in Switzerland can make navigating Swiss customs and regulations particularly challenging.
Population
8.9 M
Biggest Industry by Export
Pharmaceuticals
Capital City
Bern
Biggest Industry by Import
Machinery
Specialized Solution for Switzerland
Switzerland’s customs are stringent, with in-depth controls that can often lead to delays. The Delivered Duty Paid services offered by TecEx will simplify the importation process, eliminating all delays and ensuring that goods clear through customs smoothly.
Switzerland also has specific high-quality controls that emphasize the importance of providing all the correct documents the first time around. With all the responsibility taken off your shoulders, it will be put onto TecEx, allowing for a hassle-free experience. We will source all documentation to ensure a smooth customs clearance and avoid all potential delays.
Unique Pain Points Impacting Swiss Trade
Duties and tariffs can be hard to navigate, with customs classifying products according to the Harmonized System Code. At TecEx, we have extensive experience in navigating HS codes. However, it should be noted that Switzerland generally has low tariff rates that are product-dependent, with specific duties determined per 100 kilograms of gross weight.
The country’s strict environmental and safety regulations also add an extra hurdle when importing into Switzerland, which is required by Swiss customs due to the high quality of goods they want to maintain.
Although Switzerland is also not part of the European Union, it is part of many bilateral agreements with the EU, yet navigating trade is still somewhat challenging. This is particularly true for medical devices, as Switzerland is no longer part of the Swiss Mutual Agreement (MRA)—a situation known as “Swixit.” This has added a further challenge for importers.
Their use of the Swiss Franc instead of the Euro further makes it more prone to currency fluctuations, which TecEx is able to help and navigate.
Countries Associated with Switzerland
North America
United States of America (USA)
Asia
China
Specific Compliance Regulations for Switzerland
Passar 2.0
The biggest operational change is the transition from the legacy e-dec system to Passar 2.0. As of March 2026, the parallel phase for export declarations is over; e-dec Export is no longer accepted. For imports, a one-year parallel phase with e-dec Import begins and will run until March 2027.
The Centralized Settlement Procedure (CSP) account is being replaced by the Business Partner ID (BP-ID).
Abolition of Industrial Tariffs
All industrial products, including virtually all tech hardware, are duty-free regardless of their country of origin. If your tech goods are intended to remain or be consumed in Switzerland, you no longer need to provide a Certificate of Origin to claim lower rates.
If you plan to re-export the tech to the EU and want to claim preferential origin under the PEM Convention, you must still maintain and present formal proof of origin.
SECO Dual-Use & Emerging Tech Controls
The State Secretariat for Economic Affairs (SECO) has updated its Goods Control Ordinance to align with the latest international and EU shifts.
Switzerland has mirrored the EU’s new controls on emerging technologies. This includes stricter licensing for Quantum computers, advanced semiconductors (AI-capable), and specialized cryogenic equipment.
CBAM and “Bilaterals III”
Swiss tech goods remain exempt from the EU’s Carbon Border Adjustment Mechanism (CBAM) because Switzerland’s emissions trading system is linked to the EU’s. However, Switzerland is currently assessing whether to launch its own “Swiss CBAM”.
Bilaterals III will further simplify conformity assessments for industrial and medical tech, reducing the need for duplicate testing between Switzerland and the EU.
Complying with Swixit
Switzerland’s non-participation in the EU and the end of the MRA agreement have increased administrative requirements regarding medical equipment. You will also have to deal with additional labelling and documentation, requiring an Importer of Record to ensure the correct measures are in place.
Ready to Import Switzerland?
Get in touch with us, and our experts will contact you with a tailored customs compliance solution to suit your Swiss needs.
