Importing a motorcycle to Switzerland: checklist and costs

1. What documents do I need to import my motorcycle into Switzerland?

When crossing the border, you must declare your vehicle to customs at the Swiss border on your own initiative. If you’ve owned the motorcycle or moped for more than six months, it is considered part of your personal effects. In this case, you don’t have to pay import duties.

In general, the same conditions apply to vehicles as to your other personal effects. You must present the motorcycle at customs the first time you cross the border. Important: the documents required vary depending on how long you’ve owned your motorcycle.

Importing a motorcycle you’ve owned for more than six months

Have you owned your motorcycle for more than six months? You’ll need the following documents to bring your motorcycle to Switzerland:

• Official ID.

• Vehicle registration document and, if available, registration certificate. You need this document even if it’s no longer valid.

• Application form 18.44 for household effects.

• Proof of relocation, such as a rental agreement. An assurance that a residence permit will be granted is not required for citizens of EU and EFTA states.

You can find an information leaflet on importing vehicles into Switzerland from the Swiss Federal Customs Administration.

Importing a motorcycle you’ve owned for less than six months

If you want to import a motorcycle that you’ve owned for less than six months, it is considered a new vehicle. This means you have to declare it at customs. To do this, you’ll need the following documents:

• Invoice or purchase agreement.

• Vehicle registration document or authorization certificate.

• Proof of identity: this can be an identity card or passport.

• Import customs declaration with e-dec.

2. Importing a motorcycle: registering your motorbike in Switzerland

After importing a motorcycle to Switzerland, you must register it within one year. Until then, you can also use your foreign licence plates. If you have owned the vehicle for less than six months, a period of only one month applies.

Here’s what you need to do to get Swiss licence plates for your motorcycle:

• Apply for registration with the Road Traffic Office in your canton of residence.

• Take out liability insurance for your motorcycle. This insurance is mandatory in Switzerland.

• Inspection for technical defects: a vehicle must comply with manufacture and equipment provisions in order to be registered. To verify this, you must take your motorcycle for a motor vehicle inspection.

3. Motor vehicle inspections: having your motorcycle inspected by the Road Traffic Office in Switzerland

To register your motorcycle after importing it to Switzerland, you must have it inspected. Your canton’s Road Traffic Office will conduct this inspection.

You must register for the inspection. You can often do this online. Once you have had your motorcycle inspected, you will be sent an appointment via letter. You can get information on which documents you need to submit from your local Road Traffic Office. This is also where you get all the information you need to register your motorcycle.

Documents for vehicle inspection

The documents you need for the vehicle inspection differ from canton to canton. However, you generally need the following for a vehicle inspection following import:

• Application for the vehicle’s road permit.

• Application for vehicle inspection.

• Electronic proof of liability insurance. You must organize this within good time. Your insurer will then send it directly to the motor vehicle inspection.

• Copy of your residence permit.

• Foreign vehicle documents.

• Inspection report from the customs office with customs stamp (form 13.20 A). You’ll receive this directly at the customs office upon importation.

• Declaration from the customs office for relocation goods (form 18.44) with stamp for vehicle clearance.

• EC Certificate of Conformity or emission and noise certificate from the Swiss general importer. Alternatively, you can also submit the Certificate of Conformity (COC). If it is not available, you can get it from the general importer or brand representative.

• Foreign licence plates.

Good to know: it may take several weeks to get an appointment for a motor vehicle inspection, so it’s a good idea to reserve one well in advance.

In some cantons, you can also have the vehicle inspection done at Touring Club Switzerland (TCS). This could mean you don’t have to wait as long. In this case, inform the Road Traffic Office that you have an external appointment.

4. Importing a motorcycle to Switzerland: costs

There are various costs involved when importing a motorcycle to Switzerland. The costs depend on how long you’ve owned your motorcycle.

These costs apply to all vehicle owners:

• Test report (form 13.20A): 20 francs.

• Motorway vignette: 40 francs.

• Vehicle inspection: around 60 francs, plus any costs for the prior examination of the documents.

• Registration: between 50 and 100 francs, depending on the canton.

• If necessary, export of licence plates: if your motorcycle is not registered in your home country, you can drive it across the border.

• Any export costs charged in your country of origin.

• Exchanging your driving licence within one year: depending on the canton, up to 500 francs.

You will also be charged the following costs if you have owned your motorcycle for less than six months:

• VAT: 8.1%. Customs calculates the amount based on the invoice or purchase contract. If you do not have this, customs will calculate the amount based on the market value. It will then be added to the costs associated with import.

• For imports from a country outside the EU or a free trade agreement: 37 francs per 100 kilograms.

Good to know: if your motorcycle is less than six months old, you can first import it without paying duties. Then you can use it for another two years without customs duties. At the end of the two years, you must either export your vehicle or pay duty on it. In any case, you must apply for Swiss licence plates after one year at the latest.

You will have to pay regular costs after importation. These include, for example, motorcycle insurance and motorcycle tax.