Abolition of
industrial tariffs

Sell duty-free in Switzerland

From 1 January 2024, there will no longer be any import fees when importing industrial products into Switzerland.
It will also no longer be necessary to specify a country of origin.

But what do these changes mean for local and foreign retailers?

Industrial tariffs in Switzerland will fall from 2024
– What retailers should know

Back in 2017, the Federal Council decided on various measures to combat the “high-price island of Switzerland” and in 2019, Swiss Minister of Economic Affairs Guy Parmelin presented the plan to abolish customs duties. This step was intended to improve the economic framework conditions for companies, but consumers should also be able to benefit from it. In addition, Switzerland’s overall competitiveness is to be increased.

The industrial goods affected are all goods except agricultural goods, animal feed and foodstuffs. In terms of value, they account for around 95 per cent of all imports into Switzerland. The time has come from next year.

When importing industrial products into Switzerland – regardless of their country of origin country of origin – will no longer be subject to customs duties.

What does this mean for retailers?

“It is also important to understand that the abolition on 1 January 2024 will not initially be accompanied by any changes to the customs clearance process. However, there will still be simplifications and simplifications with the introduction of the new “Passar” goods movement system as part of the DaziT transformation programme and the new customs law (BAZG-VG).” as can be read on the carpathia.ch website.

If import duties are also abolished, it will still be necessary to provide weight details and a customs tariff number – which now only has to contain 6 digits. Other duties, such as VAT, will also remain in place from 2024. However, the previously mandatory proof of origin will no longer be required.

WHEN

Industrial tariffs will be abolished from
1 January 2024.

This cancellation affects all industrial products and includes all goods in Switzerland, with the exception of agricultural products such as animal feed and fishery products.

AIM

The abolition of industrial tariffs is intended to benefit both companies and consumers by making a wide range of products such as cars, bicycles, shoes and textiles more affordable.

At the same time, this should strengthen Switzerland’s competitiveness.

DUTY TO DECLARE

Even after the abolition of industrial tariffs, it is still necessary to declare imported goods in order to collect statistical data and levy VAT on imports.

ADVANTAGES

Swiss companies that are operationally active will benefit from simplifications in tariff classification and administration, including the elimination of proof of origin.

In trade, the abolition of industrial tariffs essentially leads to lower costs when importing goods.

Your solution for Switzerland

We support you together with our partner MS Direct AG

MS Direct AG

Your customers’ packed orders are consolidated in our HUB (we pick up your shipments or you feed them into us).

The geodata is recorded and your shipments are labelled with the last-mile carrier’s label.

At the same time, the customs data is transmitted to our partner MS Direct at the same time.

MS Direct handles import customs clearance and stores the data in case of returns.

We feed all consignments directly to the last-mile-carrier Swiss Post.

Your customer receives their order without customs clearance costs, just like a domestic parcel.

With our shipping solution and strong partners, we make it easier for you to enter the Swiss market or optimise your online shop’s existing shipping solution.

With this logistics setup, we optimise your logistics processes for exporting goods to Switzerland.

From your online shop to your customer’s doorstep – and back again if necessary. All in ONE.

Let´s start