Switzerland Customs Guide Household Goods, Vehicles, Pets & Restricted Items

Important: This Switzerland customs guide supports individuals and families planning international moving or overseas relocation to the Swiss Confederation. Switzerland enforces strict border, customs and taxation regulations for personal effects, vehicles, pets and restricted goods.

Home To Home Relocations assists clients across Toronto, the GTA and Ontario with international moves to Switzerland, including export packing, ocean/air freight, customs coordination and delivery to major Swiss cities including Zurich, Geneva, Basel, Bern and Lausanne.

1. Moving to Switzerland – Key Customs Overview

1.1 Duty-Free Import of Used Household Goods

Switzerland permits the duty-free import of used personal belongings when relocating, provided:

You are taking up residence in Switzerland
Goods have been owned and used for at least 6 months
Items are for personal use—not resale
Your shipment arrives within 2 years of your move

Important: New or recently purchased goods are subject to Swiss VAT and duty.

1.2 Customs Declarations

All goods must be declared upon entry
Incomplete documents may delay clearance
Swiss authorities require precise valuation of goods

2. Used Household Goods & Personal Effects

2.1 Required Documentation

Copy of passport
Residence permit or work contract
Bill of lading / airway bill
Detailed inventory in German, French, Italian or English
Declaration of household goods import (form 18.44)

2.2 Inventory Rules

Provide detailed item descriptions and estimated values
Avoid terms like “personal items” or “miscellaneous”
List electronics with serial numbers
Separate new goods for tax assessment

H-H Relocations Tip: Switzerland is extremely documentation-driven. Clear inventories and accurate valuations prevent inspections and duty assessments.

3. Importing Motor Vehicles into Switzerland

3.1 Vehicle Import Eligibility

Vehicle must meet Swiss/EU emission and safety standards
Vehicle must be owned and used for at least 6 months prior to relocation
Registration and inspection are required before use on Swiss roads

3.2 Required Vehicle Documents

Original registration/title
Insurance certificate
Bill of lading / airway bill
Residence permit or entry documentation

Important: Vehicle tax and inspection fees can be significant. Non-compliant vehicles may require modifications.

4. Bringing Pets to Switzerland

Switzerland applies strict veterinary and border controls for importing pets.

4.1 Pet Import Requirements

ISO-compliant microchip
Rabies vaccination and certificate
EU pet passport or veterinary health certificate
Tapeworm treatment for certain species

Pet Travel Tip: Pets without complete documents may be held at border control or refused entry.

5. Alcohol, Tobacco, Food & Restricted Goods

5.1 Alcohol

Switzerland allows limited quantities of alcohol for personal use. Exceeding allowances may result in customs duty and Swiss VAT. Commercial quantities require permits.

5.2 Tobacco

Tobacco products may be imported, but duty applies depending on quantity, country of origin and product type. Undeclared tobacco may be seized.

5.3 Food & Animal-Origin Products

Switzerland enforces strict veterinary and agricultural controls:

Meat, dairy and animal-based items are regulated
Plant-based products may require phytosanitary certificates
Unlicensed items may be confiscated or destroyed

5.4 Medicines, Chemicals & Controlled Goods

Certain goods require authorization, including:

Prescription medicines and medical equipment
Chemicals, gases and hazardous substances
Weapons, ammunition and related components

Important: Declaring restricted items is mandatory. Failure to declare can result in fines or legal penalties.

6. Prohibited Items – Do Not Ship to Switzerland

Switzerland does not allow the import of the following:

Illegal drugs and narcotics
Weapons, explosives and ammunition without permits
Counterfeit currency, branded knockoffs or pirated media
Hazardous materials banned under Swiss/EU legislation
Endangered species products without CITES authorization
Obscene, extremist or prohibited literature

Violations can lead to confiscation, penalties or prosecution.

7. Practical Tips for International Moves to Switzerland

7.1 Moving from Toronto or the GTA

To ensure a smooth international move from Toronto to Switzerland, Home To Home Relocations recommends:

Begin customs documentation early
Ensure inventories are detailed, itemized and valued
Separate new goods for VAT assessment
Keep personal documents and passports with you

7.2 Why choose a Switzerland relocation expert

Switzerland’s customs system is exceptionally meticulous. Partnering with a professional international moving company ensures:

Accurate documentation and customs declarations
Reduced risk of unexpected taxes or inspections
Door-to-door logistics including customs clearance
Compliance with Swiss VAT and restricted cargo rules

Relocation Tip: The most common cause of Swiss customs delays is incorrect or missing valuation details. Provide realistic values for your goods.

8. Useful Official Links – Switzerland

Swiss authorities provide reliable information on import rules:

This guide supports your relocation preparation. Final import decisions rest with Swiss customs authorities and other competent agencies.