Making an international move to Switzerland

Clearing Swiss Customs

Unlike its neighbours, Switzerland is not a member of the EU.

It does not have open borders with it neighbours, and so there is not in place freedom of movement across its borders of goods and people from the EU.

This makes the migration of people from the UK to live and work in Switzerland a lot less easy than it is to move to live and work in the EU member states

It means getting customs clearance.

This may seem daunting for people not used to having to clear their personal possessions, i.e. their worldly goods and chattels, through customs as they move to live and work across EU member states.

It needn’t be. There are obviously rules and regulations to follow, but with the help of removal companies and agents, it is relatively easy to clear one’s goods and chattels through Swiss customs.

Naturally certain conditions have to be fulfilled, and there are the inevitable forms to fill in.

The essential requisite is the correct filling-in of these forms.

The main requirement for avoiding taxes and duties is that goods and personal effects one intends to move into Switzerland must have been purchased six months before shipment.

Customs may require proof of this, though in most instances it will be obvious that the goods you are bringing into the country are not brand new.

Customs Clearance:

Domestic Goods and Chattels

You must prove a ‘transfer of domicile’ for your goods and chattels to be considered as ‘relocation of goods’.

The customs’ form to be filled in is form 18.44 – the Application for Clearance of Personal Property.

It is available for download at the Swiss Customs Administration website, and it can be obtained from a Swiss embassy or a consulate.

It has to be presented in duplicate.

Along with this form, the following documents must also be presented to customs:

1. An inventory, that is, a packing list, of household goods and chattels and personal effects being taken into the country. Because Switzerland is a multilingual country, it must be in English, French, German and Italian. It must be signed by a custom’s official.You may be asked to show receipts proving when certain items were purchased. Custom officials like domestic appliances to be packed in their original packaging, but recognise that this is not always possible.The inventory must also include a detailed list of wines and spirits, if any, you are bringing into the country.
2. Valid passports for all family members
3. A residence permit, known as a ‘Zusicherung Aufenthaltsbewilligung’.
4. Proof of housing – either that a property has been purchased or leased for you to live in, or a residential rental agreement.
5. Registration with the Swiss Municipality

Importing Plants, Food and Vegetables

All plants, foods and vegetables permitted by EU regulations can be imported into Switzerland.

The Importation of Motor Vehicles

A car can be imported duty-free, if it has been owned and used for six months in the UK, and will not be re-sold in Switzerland within 12 months of being imported.

Supporting documents required are:

1. All of the above as required for importing household effects
2. Proof of ownership of the vehicle and where it was purchased, i.e., the logbook and purchase invoice
3. A valid driving licence
4. Proof of insurance cover in Switzerland

Once a vehicle has been officially imported into Switzerland it will come under Switzerland’s road vehicle testing rules, government roadworthiness regulations, exhaust emissions, road taxes, etc.

The Import of Pets

Cats, dogs, horses and most pet birds are allowed. For all other pets, special permissions apply.

The following are required:

1. 1. Proof of inoculations
   2. A vet’s certificate of health – showing anti-rabies, worm, tic and flea preventative treatments etc

The national pet passports of the following countries, as well as EU member states, are recognised:

• Andorra
• Iceland
• Liechtenstein
• Monaco
• Norway
• San Marino
• Vatican

For importing dogs, cats and ferrets from these countries, the same regulations apply as if they came from an EU Member State.

For a horse, a commercial invoice or contract of sale is required, as well as an Equine Passport.

1. A period of quarantine may be required.
2. It is not permitted to dock dogs in Switzerland.
   However, if your dog has already been docked, you may bring it into Switzerland when re-locating to live or work there.

No matter what means of transport are used, pets must be carried in an animal-friendly way as strictly specified by the Swiss Federal Act on the Protection of Animals or by IATA rules.

Marrying or Forming a Civil Partnership with a Swiss Citizen or Resident

If you are moving to Switzerland to live with a Swizz citizen you have married or formed a civil partnership with, you can import your household items, personal effects, including wedding presents and gifts, animals and vehicles, duty-free.

Inherited Goods and Pets

All and any inherited goods and pets can be imported into Switzerland duty-free under the usual regulations as long as the benefactor was domiciled in a foreign country.

The importation of early inheritances, i.e., possessions inherited before your move, are also duty-free.

If your inheritance has a value of less than CHF (Swiss francs) 100,000 advance notification of importation is not required.

Inheritances above CHF 100,000 require an advance application using form 18.46 for duty-free admittance before importation.

The application must be made to the relevant  District Directorate of Customs.

It is important to remember that customs declarations can only be made during office hours Mondays to Fridays.

Your remover or agent will have a list of offices.

Happy Moving!