Importing Personal Effects into Switzerland: Documents & Customs Rules

Source: FIDI Customs Guide · Updated 2026 · Download the Switzerland Import Guide (PDF)

Removal goods

• All importers:
• Original signed Customs form 18.44.
• Copy of passport of all co-immigrating persons (picture page).
• Inventory of the goods translated in one of the official languages: French, German, Italian or even English.
• Copy of lease or property title for the Swiss apartment or house (countersigned)
• Copy of registration certificate from the local town hall.
• Additional for returning Swiss Citizens:
• Proof of residence in origin country (letter or your employer, rental contract, utility bills etc.) to proof shipper lived outside of Switzerland for at least 12 months. Additional for immigrants from the 25 EUcountries:
• A copy of residence permit or approval letter from the local immigration department. “Zusicherung der Aufenthaltsbewilligung” / “Ermächtigung zur Visumerteilung” OR Employment contract (countersigned).
• Additional for foreign Non-EU immigrants:
• Employment contract (countersigned).
• A copy of residence permit or approval letter from the local immigration department. “Zusicherung der Aufenthaltsbewilligung” / “Ermächtigung zur Visumerteilung”.

• Duty free entry provided when:
• The imported goods have been in use and possession by client for at least 6 months prior to shipping.
• The import of the removal goods must take place within 24 months from change of residence.
• 2nd or additional shipments must be announced upon the main import of household goods and must take place within 24 months from change of residence.

• Your destination agent will provide the Swiss customs form 18.44. Copies / PDF’s are not accepted – original signature is mandatory.
• Customs authorities are permitted to request further, not listed documents during the import clearance (e.g. working contract, deregistration at origin residence, cost of the removal, etc.)
• The customs form is available online under: https://www.ezv.admin.ch/ezv/en/home/infor mation-individuals/personal-property-- students--holiday-homes--getting-marriedand-/importation-into-switzerland/moving-- household-effects-.html

Diplomats removals

• Application for free entry on form 14.60 to be made by Embassy/Diplomatic Representation to the Customs Office of importation as requested.
• Copy of Legitimation Card.

• Application to be forwarded to the nearest customs office i.e. to Genève-La Praille or Bern, where the formalities for duty-free importation will be carried out.
• Import of alcohol is allowed for diplomats but limited to annual quota agreed by the local Ministry of Foreign Affairs and the respective embassies in the country.

• Customs form on file with most foreign Embassies and Consulates.
• Copies are not accepted – original signature is mandatory.

Wedding trousseaux

• Customs form 18.45.
• Inventory of the goods.
• Marriage certificate.
• Residence permit for both partners (if nonSwiss citizens).

• Duty free entry provided:
• Items will be used for another 12 months.
• Shipment has to take place within 6 months of the civil marriage.

• Your destination agent will provide the Swiss customs form 18.45. Copies are not accepted – original signature is mandatory.
• If used articles only are imported: clearance as “removal goods” with documents as stipulated above.

Inheritance

• Customs form 18.46.
• Inventory of the goods with supporting legal declaration or will confirming that the goods to be imported are the rightful property of the inheritor.
• Certificate of death or equivalent document confirming the last residence of the deceased.
• Passport copy of inheritor.

• Duty free entry provided:
• Inheritor has residence in Switzerland at the time of death and at the time of import.
• Only used household goods and effects can be imported duty-free as inheritance goods

• Your destination agent will provide the Swiss customs form 18.46. Copies are not accepted – original signature is mandatory.

New furniture and household goods

• Purchase Invoice.
• Forms EUR 1 certificate of origin where applicable, to allow duty-free entry (EEC/EFTA-countries) or entry at reduced rates from some other countries.

• All new items are subject to duties and taxes payment.
• Duty is charged by weight.
• Taxes: VAT is charged at 7.7%.

• Must be declared separately according to customs tariff headings.
• Individual weights on invoice or packing list are helpful.

Art work

• Inventory list showing the art work:
• Name.
• Year of production.
• Author/artist.
• Value (if possible). Information is required for statistical data.

• Duty free without special documents if part of a removal.

• If not part of a removal, same as under ‘new’ furniture, but duty and tax-free when imported by the artist himself.

Antiques

• See under Works of art.
• If not part of a removal: invoice with confirmation that they are over 100 years old.

• Antiques can be imported duty free but are liable to VAT taxes, see under ‘new’ furniture.

Alcoholic beverages (wine, beer etc.) (up to 25 % proof)

• To be declared on separate inventory.

• Duty free if part of removal and in a reasonable quantity appropriate to the amount of removal goods (max. 200 litres of wine).
• Import of alcohol is allowed for diplomats but limited to annual quota agreed by the local Ministry of Foreign Affairs and the respective embassies in the country.

• Load to allow easy access for inspection. If bought especially for export and not in owners possession prior to the move, dutiable, and may be subject to import quotas.

Strong liquor (over 25% proof)

• Must be declared on separate inventory.

• Duty free up to 12 litres.

• For additional quantity, very heavy duty and taxes are applied (over SFr.50. - per bottle).

Firearms

• Exact description on inventory make, model, calibre etc.

• Some require import permit to be obtained from Federal Authorities in Bern, others not, depending on the exact type.

• To be loaded to allow easy access for customs inspection.

Plants

• None, if in reasonable quantity together with removal, plant health certificate helpful.

• If not together with removal or large quantities, health certificate necessary.

Fumigation of imported and exported wooden materials

• Effective October 2010 the Swiss Government adopted ISPM-15 standards for wood packaging.
• Wooden packing material imported from outside of Europe and from Portugal are subject to heated treatment proofed with an according ISPM Seal.

• The wooden packing material must be marked in a visible location on each article, if possible on two opposite sides of the
• package.
• Currently the random samples will only be examined at the Swiss customs boarder in Basel.
• Consult www.spedlogswiss.com

Exporting Personal Effects from Switzerland: Documents & Customs Rules

Source: FIDI Customs Guide · Updated 2026 · Download the Switzerland Export Guide (PDF)

Removal Goods – HHG/PE

• Copy of inventory
• Copy of passport
• Copy of vehicle title (if car or motorbike are being exported)

Switzerland Moving Guide: Documents, Duties & Shipping Notes

Source: IAM Country Guide · Updated 2026-09-05 · Download the Switzerland Country Guide (PDF)

Documents

Documents required for importing used household goods, personal effects, and related shipments.

All importers:

• Original signed Customs Form 18.44 (application for duty- and tax-free clearance of removal goods) — original signature mandatory; copies and PDFs are not accepted. The destination agent provides this form.
• Copy of passports for all co-immigrating persons (photo/identification pages)
• Inventory of goods in one of the official languages (French, German, Italian) or in English
• Copy of lease agreement or property title for the Swiss apartment or house (countersigned)
• Copy of registration certificate from the local Swiss town hall (Gemeinde)

• Proof of residence in the country of origin (employer letter, rental contract, utility bills, etc.) confirming the shipper lived outside Switzerland for at least 12 months

• Copy of residence permit or approval letter from the local immigration department ("Zusicherung der Aufenthaltsbewilligung" / "Ermächtigung zur Visumerteilung") or employment contract (countersigned)

• Employment contract (countersigned)
• Copy of residence permit or approval letter from the local immigration department ("Zusicherung der Aufenthaltsbewilligung" / "Ermächtigung zur Visumerteilung")

• Application for free entry on Customs Form 14.60, completed by the Embassy or diplomatic representation and submitted to the nearest customs office (Geneva La Praille or Bern)
• Copy of Legitimation Card ("Carte de Légitimation") — allow approximately 2 months to obtain

Specific Information

Works of art: Duty-free when part of a removal. If imported as commercial goods for resale, subject to duties and VAT. For items that are antiques (over 100 years old), an invoice confirming this is required; antiques are duty-free but subject to VAT.

ISPM 15: As of October 2010, Switzerland adopted ISPM 15 standards for wood packaging material. All wood packing from outside Europe (and from Portugal) must carry the ISPM heat-treatment seal. Samples are examined at the Swiss customs border in Basel.

Inheritance: Requires Customs Form 18.46 (original signature; provided by destination agent), inventory with supporting legal declaration or will, death certificate, and passport copy of the inheritor. Duty-free provided the inheritor has Swiss residence at both the time of death and the time of import, and only used household goods and effects are being imported.

Used household goods may be imported duty- and tax-free when the following conditions are all met: the goods have been in the possession and use of the owner for at least 6 months prior to shipment; they correspond to the normal requirements of an intended Swiss resident; they are for the continued use of the owner after importation; they are not in excess of the owner's household needs; and the import takes place within 24 months of the change of residence.

Returning Swiss citizens qualify for duty-free entry when their employment abroad exceeded 12 months.

Customs authorities are permitted to request additional documentation not listed above during the clearance process (e.g., employment contract, de-registration at origin, cost of the removal). All goods should be imported in a single consignment wherever possible.

If one or more documents is missing — most commonly the residence permit — clearance may be arranged on a temporary basis, but a cash deposit or bank guarantee will be required. This amount is refunded once all missing documents are provided, within a maximum of 6 months from the date of temporary clearance.

Second or additional shipments must be announced at the time of the main import declaration and must also take place within 24 months of the change of residence. If the owner can prove they are unable to proceed with a second shipment, Customs may extend the delay up to 24 months from the date of first clearance.

All goods intended for duty-free import must not be sold, lent, or otherwise disposed of for a period of 1 year from the date shown on the residence permit.

Goods to be imported duty-free must not be for commercial use or for the use of other persons.

Clients officially changing residence to Switzerland from abroad may import all their personal effects duty-free. Clients who are not officially changing residence will be required to pay duties and taxes.

Unaccompanied hand baggage consisting only of used personal effects and/or books may be imported duty-free, accompanied by an inventory and subject to Customs inspection.

If a secondary home is bought or rented, removal goods may be imported free of duties and taxes, but importation must occur close to the date of the purchase or lease contract. Vehicles do not fall under this rule.

For new furniture and household goods: VAT at 7.7% applies, plus customs duty charged by weight. A EUR 1 certificate of origin may allow duty-free entry from EEA/EFTA countries or reduced rates from certain other countries.

Duties & Taxes

Wedding trousseaux: Requires Customs Form 18.45 (original signature), inventory, marriage certificate, and residence permit for both partners if non-Swiss. Duty-free if the shipment takes place within 6 months of the civil marriage and items will be used for at least 12 months.

Prohibited & Restricted Items

• Narcotics and illegal drugs
• Weapons other than sporting and hunting firearms PERMIT REQUIRED for licensed firearms
• Ammunition (without proper permits)
• Anti-radar equipment
• Counterfeit items (e.g., fake watches, branded goods)
• Products made from protected or endangered animal species (ivory, reptile skins, etc.) CITES
• Material that violates Swiss or EU trade sanctions
• Explosives and related materials (without authorization)

Alcohol (up to 25% alcohol by volume): Duty-free as part of a removal in a reasonable quantity proportional to the size of the shipment, up to a maximum of 200 litres of wine. Must be declared on a separate inventory and loaded to allow easy access for inspection. If purchased specifically for export and not in the owner's possession prior to the move, it is dutiable and may be subject to import quotas.

Spirits (over 25% alcohol by volume): Duty-free up to 12 litres. For quantities above this, very heavy duty and taxes apply (over CHF 50 per bottle).

Firearms: Must be described exactly on the inventory (make, model, calibre, etc.) and loaded near the container door for easy inspection. Some types require an import permit from the Federal Authorities in Bern; others do not — the type determines the requirement. Confirm with the destination agent before shipping.

Hunting rifles: Admitted duty- and tax-free when imported as part of household goods.

Plants: Duty-free in reasonable quantities as part of a removal; a plant health certificate is helpful. For large quantities or shipments not accompanying removal goods, a phytosanitary health certificate is required.

Food products: Dutiable; may be subject to additional import controls.

Tobacco: Dutiable.

New articles and consumer goods: If not corresponding to normal household requirements, dutiable; purchase invoice required.

Works of art and antiques for resale: Subject to duties and VAT; if imported for resale, customs clearance for antiques can only be arranged in coordination with the appropriate customs office. If part of household goods and not for resale, duty-free; antiques over 100 years old are VAT-exempt on duties but still carry VAT.

Consignment Instructions

Contact the destination agent to ensure all requirements have been met prior to import, especially for differences between air, road, and sea shipments.

Customs Form 18.44 must be submitted in original hard copy with original signature — photocopies and PDFs are not accepted. The destination agent provides the current form version. If documents are missing at the time of clearance, Swiss Customs will levy a deposit based on the volume of the removal; this is refunded once all missing documents are provided within 6 months.

All goods should be imported in a single consignment if possible. Additional shipments must be noted on the original customs declaration at the time of the main clearance and must still occur within the 24-month window.

Alcohol and spirits must be declared on a separate inventory and placed where they are easily accessible for inspection. For diplomatic shipments, the full alcohol list must be stamped by the Swiss Ministry of Foreign Affairs alongside the Form 14.60 application.

ISPM 15 compliance is required for all wood packaging material imported from outside Europe. Samples are inspected at Basel.