Switzerland

The top five imports* for Switzerland in 2022 were:

1. Gems, precious metals: US$117.6 billion (33% of total imports)
2. Pharmaceuticals: $48.7 billion (13.7%)
3. Mineral fuels including oil: $27 billion (6.6%)
4. Machinery including computers: $21.8 billion (6.1%)
5. Electrical machinery, equipment: $18.5 billion (2%)

*Source: https://www.worldstopexports.com/switzerlands-top-10-imports/

These imports are important to Switzerland for a number of reasons. Gold and gems are valuable commodities that can be used to back the Swiss Franc, the country's currency. Packaged medicaments are essential for the Swiss healthcare system. Alongside vaccines, blood, antisera, toxins and cultures are also important for public health. Machinery, computers and electronics support the growing need of business and consumers alike in the post-Covid “work from anywhere” world.

Switzerland is not a member of the European Union (EU), but it has a number of agreements with the EU that allow for the free movement of goods, services, capital, and people between Switzerland and the EU. This means that companies in Switzerland can import technology goods from the EU without paying customs duties or taxes.

However, there are some restrictions on the import of technology goods into Switzerland. For example, Switzerland has its own technical regulations that must be met for some products. In addition, Switzerland has a number of environmental and safety regulations that must be met for some products.

If you are planning to import technology goods into Switzerland, it is important to be aware of the Swiss technical regulations and the environmental and safety regulations. You should also contact the Swiss Customs Administration to find out about the customs duties and taxes that will be payable. Its important to know that the current VAT is 8.1% but as of May 2024 the Swiss governement were considering increasing the rate  to 8.5%. There is no information as to when this decision will be made.

Check the Swiss technical regulations

The first step is to check the Swiss technical regulations to see if your product meets all the requirements. These regulations are designed to ensure that products sold in Switzerland are safe and meet high quality standards. You can find a list of the Swiss technical regulations on the website of the State Secretariat for Economic Affairs (SECO).

Obtain the necessary permits and licences

In some cases, you may need to obtain permits or licences from the Swiss government in order to import technology goods. For example, you may need a permit if you are importing medical devices or telecommunications equipment. You can find information on the necessary permits and licences on the website of the SECO.

Pay the customs duties and taxes

When you import technology goods into Switzerland, you will need to pay customs duties and taxes. The amount of customs duties and taxes you will need to pay will depend on the value of the goods and the type of goods, however, IT tech carries around 7.7% tax. You can find information on the customs duties and taxes on the website of the Swiss Customs Administration.

Transport the goods to Switzerland

Once you have obtained all the necessary permits and licences and paid the customs duties and taxes, you can transport the goods to Switzerland via courier, air-freight or road. You can choose to transport the goods yourself or use a freight-forwarder.

Clear the goods through customs

When the goods arrive in Switzerland, you will need to clear them through customs. This involves providing the Swiss Customs Administration with a customs declaration form and paying the customs duties and taxes.

Deliver the goods to the customer

Once the goods have been cleared through customs, you can deliver them to the customer.

If your customer doesn’t wish to be the Importer of Record or deal with the customs processes, feel free to get in touch with Mouse & Bear Solutions for expert assistance with importing your goods into Switzerland.

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