Customs duties in Switzerland: how much do they cost?

1. Online shopping abroad – what costs do I need to bear in mind?

Many international retailers deliver their goods to Switzerland. However, shipments from abroad are subject to customs and VAT. This means they often turn out to be much more expensive than expected.

If you order a product from outside Switzerland, the following fees may be added to the sales price:

1. Value-added tax (VAT)

2. Customs duties

3. Processing fees for forwarding companies for customs clearance (customs clearance fees)

In some cases, additional costs may be incurred. Example: investigations due to an incorrectly declared package.

For VAT, there is a tax exemption limit of five francs. This means if the VAT is less than five francs, you do not have to pay anything. This results in the following exemption limits:

• At a VAT rate of 8.1%: Goods under 62 francs including shipping costs

• At a VAT rate of 2.6%: Goods under 194 francs including shipping costs

For private gift shipments from abroad, an exemption limit of 100 francs applies. Alcohol and tobacco are excluded. The package must be clearly identified as a gift shipment. 

3. How high are customs duties in Switzerland?

Customs duties are worked out according to weight. For many products, the customs duty is less than 1 franc per kilogram. Higher rates apply to

• Alcohol

• Tobacco products

• Food

• Textiles

• Jewellery

You only have to pay customs duties that are higher than five francs . As a result, many online orders are duty-free.

4. How much do companies charge for customs handling?

Customs clearance of parcels from abroad is handled by the respective carrier, such as the postal service. The forwarding company usually charges processing fees for this service. These vary depending on the provider.

Some providers waive the processing fee for duty-free packages. It’s best to inquire about prices with the carrier beforehand.

5. Calculating customs duties in Switzerland: an example

Want to know how much you’ll pay for customs duties? This can be complicated. That’s because the additional costs are dependent on

• Price

• Exchange rate

• Forwarding company

• Goods 

Is there a customs calculator for Switzerland?

There is no official customs fee calculator for Switzerland. However, this example shows you how to calculate customs duties:

Calculating customs fees in Switzerland for orders with multiple packages

Freight forwarders cannot detect whether shipments arrive in one or more packages. Therefore, all packages must be correctly declared.

The import duty is only calculated for the effective content of the package. An exception applies if the total value of the goods is above the exemption limit, but the individual packages are not. Customs clearance is then carried out on the total value. 

For example: you ordered several parts for a total of 100 francs in an online shop. They arrive in two packages, each with a value of 50 francs. Customs then calculates the customs costs based on the 100 francs and you have to pay something.

6. How can I pay customs clearance costs in Switzerland?

How and when you can pay the fees depends on the forwarding company. At Swiss Post, you can pay import costs via the “My consignments” online service. Alternatively, you can also pay at your door with Twint or cash.

Some providers may not accept cash (for example FedEx). If in doubt, ask in advance.

7. How can I save on customs costs in Switzerland?

Here are some tips to help you keep costs to a minimum when ordering goods from abroad:

• Ask the sender to choose a cheap shipping method.

• Avoid splitting the consignment into several packages.

• Ask the sender for a correct declaration of the package contents.

• Use a foreign delivery address, as made available by various companies. For a fee, you can have the package sent to a nearby address. You can pick it up and then bring it into Switzerland in person.

  • The advantage: you can import goods up to a total value of 300 francs without paying VAT. From 2025, the exemption limit will be reduced to 150 francs per person.

  • The disadvantage: this is only worthwhile if the potential VAT savings are enough to offset your travel costs. There are also restrictions on certain products.

• Some providers in border countries clear packages for you, then send them to your address.

  • The advantage: You pay the prices applicable abroad. These are often lower than prices in Switzerland.

  • The disadvantage: This also results in service fees that vary greatly depending on the service provider. These can be higher than those of conventional freight forwarders. In addition, you cannot reclaim the foreign VAT .

8. Do you have any other questions about customs clearance?

Swiss Post’s FAQ about imports answers your most common questions about the cost of shipping from abroad. Otherwise, you can contact the forwarding company of your package directly.