Exporting Goods from USA to Switzerland
The exportation process between the USA and Switzerland is fairly easy to follow, even if the consignee does not have diplomatic privileges. Below is a quick overview of how to bring in vehicles and/or household goods from the USA into the country.
Household goods and personal effects
All used household goods may be imported into Switzerland from the USA provided that the items were in the ownership of the consignee for no less than six months prior to the exportation from the USA. Used and new household goods must be packed separately, preferably by professional movers, so that they may be inspected and applied with duties/taxes appropriately. A single brand new item in a container with used household items may make the whole shipment dutiable, so proper packing and representation on the inventory is necessary. Inventories must be prepared in German, English or French. Two original copies, not photocopies, must be submitted to the Swiss customs.
Aside from the original airway bills and detailed inventories with the quantities and values of each item indicated, returning citizens of Switzerland must also present the receipt from the town hall indicating that they have submitted their documents and a confirmation letter from their USA employer indicating the number of years s/he has stayed in the USA. Duty-free import of used household goods is only approved if the consignee has stayed abroad for one year or more.
Diplomats automatically enjoy free import of their used household goods as long as they can present the proper transit documents, their Diplomatic Passport, and a certification from the embassy they’re representing.
Citizens of other EU nations need to present their registration from their local town hall and a valid work contract indicating that they will be in Switzerland for at least a year. Non-EU foreign residents need to present a work permit, too, securing their stay in the country for at least a year, too, and a resident permit.
All household items considered “new” must be shipped with their original commercial invoice. They are also liable to taxes and customs duties. All appliances and electronics, whether used or new, are taxed when imported from the USA. These should be placed last on the shipment container.
On vehicles (cars, boats, private airplanes)
The following shipment information will refer only to vehicles for personal use. All vehicles may be imported into Switzerland duty-free provided that the consignee has owned them for six months or more prior to the exportation from the USA, and that they are not to be sold in Switzerland for at least 12 months after the date of clearance.
For these vehicles to be cleared, they must also pass the Swiss Government. These vehicles must be imported into the country within three months after the issuance of the consignee’s Resident permit, or in the case of Swiss and EU nationals, his/her submission of pertinent documents to the town hall.
If a company car is to be shipped to Switzerland from the USA, the company only has to send a letter to the customs agency six months prior to the shipment. This letter must indicate that the car has been solely used by the employee transferring to Switzerland, and the transfer is official.
Pertinent documents are also necessary for the clearance of imported vehicles. These include:
i. The consignee’s passport
ii. The consignee’s work permit
iii. The vehicle’s title
iv. The vehicle’s commercial invoice
v. Form 18.44
vi. The consignee’s residence proof and permits
vii. The owner’s license (must be valid)
viii. Foreign registration card (when applicable)
ix. Car license from the USA
x. Inventory for imported household goods
xi. Insurance Receipt from Switzerland
Commercial and industrial vehicles imported into the country are dutiable and taxable. The proper permits must also be acquired for these items. The information above is only a guide. For more specific and updated customs regulations, consult the Embassy of Switzerland in the USA before making the shipment.