USAOPEN .com Destinations – Switzerland

Shipping a Rug to Switzerland is like taking a magic carpet ride…

 

switzerland

 

Switzerland, Country in Europe

Switzerland, officially the Swiss Confederation, is a federal parliamentary republic consisting of 26 cantons, with Bern as the seat of the federal authorities, the so-called Bundesstadt. Wikipedia

Dialing code: +41
ISO code: CHE
Currency: Swiss franc
Population8.081 million (2013) World Bank
Official languages: French, German, Romansh, Italian

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Import Duties

All goods entering or exiting Switzerland must clear Customs. Imports are subject to customs duty, value added tax, and excise duty except for those exempted under law. In some circumstances imports may also be subject to anti-dumping or countervailing duties, which result in the imposition of additional rates of duty. Duties and taxes must be paid before Customs will release goods for import.

Duty Rates

Customs duties are assessed at a “specific” rate (i.e. a set amount) and are usually based on the gross weight of the imported product (inclusive of weight of packaging).

However, because Customs may use their discretion and base duty on the net weight instead of the gross weight for certain goods (tobacco, watches, jewelry, etc.) that have very high duty rates, it is recommended that the exporter include both net and gross weight of each product on the commercial invoice and waybill whenever possible.

Rates of duty vary based on the specific commodity and are available in the Harmonized Tariff Schedule of Switzerland. Although the rate is as high as 3,999 CHF/kg gross, import customs duties usually are between 0 and 40 CHF/kg gross. domain seo information . In some circumstances, anti-dumping or countervailing measures, which result in the imposition of additional rates of duty, may also apply.

It is recommended that before you send Delivered Duty Paid (DDP) shipments to Switzerland; verify the local customs/VAT requirements at the EU destination country.

Antidumping

Switzerland does observe the GATT rules under article VI with reference to antidumping measures as well as the WTO standards for complying with these measures.

Excise Duties

Switzerland does apply excise taxes on tobacco and tobacco products, mineral oils, automobiles and their parts.

Additional Duties

Switzerland reserves the right to apply additional duties to some goods including agricultural goods used for animal feed.

Import Taxes

Value Added Tax (VAT/TVA)

Value Added Tax is levied on imported goods. The normal VAT rate is 7.6%, but some goods are exempt from VAT or are eligible for a reduced rate. VAT is calculated on the transaction value of the goods, plus all charges to the port of entry (including freight and insurance) plus the amount of customs duty, if any. Most importers have a VAT number. Although supplying the VAT number at time of entry or export is not a requirement, having it on the shipment documents can assist Customs and the importer’s customs broker in the customs clearance process.

*Source: FedEx