Exporting to Switzerland: easier than its reputation
Switzerland sits in the middle of Europe but outside the EU, so every delivery requires an export declaration and Swiss import clearance. At the same time, the country has done something unique: since 2024, its industrial tariffs are completely abolished. What decides your export is no longer the duty, but that the documents and the VAT are handled right.
We handle the declaration and make sure the paperwork follows the goods all the way.
Switzerland abolished its industrial tariffs in 2024
On 1 January 2024, Switzerland abolished the duty on industrial goods entirely. Machinery, tools, electronics, clothing and most other goods are now imported duty-free in Switzerland, regardless of where they were manufactured and without any proof of origin needed for the sake of the duty.
The exception is agricultural products and food, where Switzerland on the contrary has some of the world’s highest tariffs. If you sell food or drink, origin, commodity code and permits are still absolutely decisive.
That means the work in Switzerland exports has moved: from optimising duty rates to making declarations, documents and VAT flow flawlessly.
Industrial goods
Machinery, electronics, clothing, tools and more
0% duty
Food and agriculture
Some of the world’s highest duty levels, often per kilo
High tariffs
Note: the obligation to declare did not disappear with the tariffs. Every shipment still requires an export declaration in Sweden and import clearance in Switzerland, and Swiss VAT is always charged.
What happens when you sell to Switzerland
The truck drives freely through the EU all the way to the Swiss border. What matters is that the export declaration is done and that its MRN travels with the goods.
Export declaration in Sweden
Lodged with Swedish Customs before the goods leave the country. You get an MRN and, after exit, a proof of exit, the receipt for your VAT exemption.
Free passage through the EU to the border
With the export declaration done, the truck drives freely through Denmark and Germany. At the Swiss border, the exit is confirmed against the declaration’s MRN, and that is where your proof of exit is created.
Import in Switzerland
Swiss VAT is charged at import, 8.1 per cent for most goods. The details must match the export documents.
Lower VAT than you are used to, but it must be handled right
Switzerland has one of Europe’s lowest VAT rates. For your customer, that is good news, but for you as the seller the same VAT rule applies as for all exports: Swedish VAT at zero per cent, provided the exit can be proven with the proof of exit. We secure it for every shipment.
Is EUR.1 still needed?
More often than you would think. For industrial goods, the proof of origin no longer affects the Swiss duty, which is zero. But there are three situations where a EUR.1 or an origin declaration on the invoice is still valuable.
Food and agricultural goods: here EU origin gives reduced or no duty, and the difference can be large.
Customers who resell: your Swiss customer may need your origin documentation for their own onward export with duty preferences.
Switzerland uses EUR.1, not REX
Every free trade agreement has its own document mechanics. Towards Switzerland, the classic system applies: EUR.1 certificates or an origin declaration on the invoice, with approved exporter status for larger flows. Towards the UK, REX applies instead. We keep the agreements apart for you.
One supplier, the right documents for each market.
First delivery to Switzerland coming up?
Call +46 31 755 77 76 or email info@easytull.com. A reply within 10 minutes, or the declaration is on us.
Liechtenstein comes included
Liechtenstein is in a customs union with Switzerland. Deliveries to Vaduz are handled exactly like deliveries to Zurich: the same declaration, the same rules, the same flow. If you have customers in the principality, no separate set-up is needed.
DAP for most
With DAP, you deliver to the named place and your Swiss customer handles the import and the VAT. DDP can be done but requires Swiss VAT registration, so talk to us before you promise it in a contract. EXW and FCA suit experienced Swiss importers.
Through Europe in a couple of days
Switzerland is reached quickly by road and the truck drives freely through the EU. What requires order is that the export documents and the MRN follow the goods to the border. Need the freight as well? We arrange transport through our forwarding partners, so freight and clearance are booked in one.
1–3
days
Road transport
The most common, free passage through Denmark and Germany to the border.
1–2
days
Air and express
For time-critical deliveries and high-value goods.
5–10
days
Sea and intermodal
For large volumes and regular flows.
Five mistakes that stop Switzerland exports
Assuming Switzerland is the EU
The invoice is sent as an EU sale, without an export declaration. The goods get stuck and the VAT goes wrong.
The MRN does not travel with the truck
Without the export declaration’s MRN at the border, the exit cannot be confirmed. That means a stop far from home and no proof of exit.
The proof of exit is missing
The VAT exemption can be questioned by the Swedish Tax Agency, with retroactive Swedish VAT as the risk.
The food tariffs are underestimated
The zero duty applies to industrial goods. Food and drink face high Swiss tariffs and their own permit requirements.
DDP without a Swiss set-up
Import responsibility in Switzerland without VAT registration causes errors that cost more than they save.
All five disappear with the right set-up
We set up the flow once, then every delivery is routine.
How your Switzerland exports get started
Send the invoice when the goods are on their way, and the declaration is normally ready within two hours.
We set up your flow
Commodity codes, VAT set-up, Incoterms and origin where needed. Once.
Send the invoice per shipment
We prepare the export declaration, make sure the MRN follows the goods and that the Swiss import matches the export.
You get the proofs
The MRN, proof of exit and records ready for VAT reporting and bookkeeping.
Send the invoice, and a customs specialist replies within 10 minutes
Attach the commercial invoice and the transport booking and we come back with what is required, what it costs and when the declaration will be ready. Calling works just as well.
The same customs specialist every time
Ready within 2 hours
Fixed price, no lock-in
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Questions and answers about exporting to Switzerland
Can’t find the answer? We reply within 10 minutes.
Is there duty on Swedish goods in Switzerland?
For industrial goods, no. Switzerland abolished its industrial tariffs on 1 January 2024, so machinery, electronics, clothing and most goods are imported duty-free regardless of origin. Food and agricultural products, however, still face high tariffs. Swiss VAT is always charged at import.
Do I have to lodge an export declaration when exporting to Switzerland?
Yes, always. Switzerland is outside the EU, so every shipment requires an export declaration to Swedish Customs before the goods leave Sweden. The declaration is also your basis for the VAT exemption.
Are exports to Switzerland VAT-free?
Yes, the sale is normally free of Swedish VAT, provided you can prove the exit with the proof of exit belonging to the export declaration. In Switzerland, the buyer pays Swiss VAT at import, 8.1 per cent for most goods.
Is EUR.1 still needed?
For industrial goods, it no longer affects the duty, which is zero since 2024. But for food, EU origin gives reduced duty, and customers who resell may need your origin documentation. We assess what is worth doing in your flow.
Do the same rules apply to Liechtenstein?
Yes, Liechtenstein is in a customs union with Switzerland. Deliveries there are handled exactly like deliveries to Switzerland, with the same declaration and the same rules.
Ready to export to Switzerland?
Export declaration and the right documents all the way. You sell, we handle the border.
Ready within 2 hours
Your own customs expert
Reply within 10 min, or the declaration is on us
Call +46 31 755 77 76 or email info@easytull.com
More customs guides: Exporting to the UK · Exporting to Norway · Exporting to the USA · Duty calculator · HS code search · EORI number · Import declarations · Customs broker
