TRANSPORTATION IN SWITZERLAND
Freight forwarding and transportation in Switzerland
Esportazione in Svizzera
List of communes of Switzerland
Map listing each municipality, complete with zip code, language spoken, and any surcharge for inconvenient areas for transportation in Switzerland (high mountain areas).
Various possibilities for a quick search.
Berna
Population
8.4m
National
languages German, French, Italian and Romansh
Currency
Swiss franc (CHF)
Gross domestic product (GDP)
USD 644 billion
GDP per capita
USD 77,000
Turnover exports from Switzerland
USD 296 billion
Turnover imports to Switzerland
USD 281 billion
Transport Switzerland
Economic relations with the EU
Switzerland is not a member of the EU and has negotiated several bilateral agreements with the Union for access to the European internal market. In so many areas, these agreements establish relations between Switzerland and the EU that are very similar to those of an internal market; they allow for the elimination or lowering of trade barriers and discrimination in economic trade.
Since the Free Trade Agreement was concluded in 1972, the list of agreements has lengthened in several stages. After Swiss voters refused to join the European Economic Area (EEA) in 1992, Switzerland and the EU signed Bilateral Agreements I (seven agreements) in 1999. Bilateral Agreements II (nine agreements and one exchange of correspondence) followed in 2004. These agreements ensure mutual and expanded market access, prevent discrimination against Swiss companies in the European domestic market, and form the basis for close cooperation in the areas of research, security, asylum, environment and culture. Swiss transport
Bilateral agreements
Chile, Colombia, Georgia, the Gulf Cooperation Council states (GCC, United Arab Emirates (UAE), Bahrain, Saudi Arabia, Oman, Qatar, and Kuwait), South Korea, Costa Rica, Guatemala, Hong Kong, Mexico, Panama, Philippines, Singapore, Ukraine, and in part, with Canada and Peru.
Switzerland’s main objective in its free trade agreements is to obtain more advantageous treatment than that granted in the multilateral context of GATS/GATS. Switzerland has concluded, outside the EFTA context, a free trade agreement with China, and a bilateral free trade and economic partnership agreement with Japan.
Free trade agreements
Switzerland’s free trade policy aims to improve the framework conditions governing economic relations with economically important partners. The goal is to ensure that Swiss companies have barrier-free and discrimination-free access to international markets, compared to that enjoyed by their main competitors. Measures to open foreign markets are important as part of the Federal Council’s economic stabilization policy.
With some partners, EFTA states also sign declarations of cooperation. These declarations presuppose an institutionalized dialogue on the possibilities of deepening economic relations that could result in free trade negotiations.
Business languages
German, French, Italian and Romansh
Weights and measures
Metric
Currency
National currency Swiss franc (sfr) = 100 Rappen (Rp), Centimes (c).
ISO code: CHF
Customs tariff
Harmonized system. Customs clearance based on gross weight.
Import control
In transportation in Switzerland, more than 90 percent of the import of goods is liberalized. The importer must obtain the authorisation for limited import (negative list). Low-voltage products must comply with Directives 2006/95/EC and 2004/108/EC. Pharmaceutical products require a Swissmedic registration. Small consignments of up to 20 kg may be imported without a licence, unless they are goods for which the weight limit is only 2.5 kg. Pay attention to the incentive tax for the import of goods subject to the VoC. Possible simplified customs declaration procedure for small consignments in the “e-dec-easy” declaration procedure. Small consignments are those with a maximum weight of 1,000 kg and a value of up to 1,000 CHF. There is no currency control, payment for the import of goods for your transportation to Switzerland can be made without difficulty.
Business tax: 8%
Terms of payment and offers
Offers and invoices in €, CHF or US $ free free at frontier or free at home.
Indications of origin
The following are required for transportation in Switzerland:
for food and beverages. Lumber and wood products must bear the indication of the country of origin.
Marking / labelling
For transport in Switzerland: traditional marking. Labeling must be in at least one official Swiss language.
The Federal Ministry of the Interior provides information on particular labeling provisions.
Packaging
For wood packaging, the ISPM standard no. 15, per transport Switzerland, except for deliveries from the EU.
Models and samples of goods
Models of goods shall be exempt from customs duties if:
(a) given their size (small sections of wood), presentation (e.g., buttons on tickets, one piece of each type) or preparation (such as cancellation through stamp or holes) have no commercial value
(b) are imported for representation, verification or testing to place orders and do not exceed these limit values:
- consumable products with a value of up to CHF 100 per sample;
- the number of samples of the same type in a shipment does not matter; non-consumable products up to a value of CHF 100 for all types and qualities;
- tobacco products, alcoholic beverages, pharmaceuticals and cosmetic products up to a value of CHF 100 per consignment; Wine only in sample bottles up to 3 dl, spirits only in sample bottles up to 2 dl (excluding single-portion bottles).
- Shipments and transport to Switzerland of advertising samples of goods for distribution, even free of charge, to potential customers are subject to customs duties. ATA Carnet procedure allowed.
Shipping and accompanying documents for transportation in Switzerland
Typical documents, such as:
(a) Commercial invoices (2 copies) with all typical indications, country of origin without authentication;
(b) Certificate of origin (simple) only on request by the consignee, indicate the country of origin;
c) For postal packages up to 31.5 kg: attach 1 foreign shipping note, 1 customs declaration (German/French/Italian), commercial invoices; with packages for airmail up to 20 kg foreign shipping slip, labeled “by air”.
(d) Movement certificate EUR. 1 for parcel shipments under the free trade agreement with the EU; including the pan-European cumulation agreement; for shipments with a value of goods exceeding € 6,000 use the EUR form. 1.
For the export of goods with a value of up to €6,000, the exporter must submit the following statement in the invoice or other commercial document: “The exporter of the goods covered herein, declares that unless otherwise stated, the goods are of preferential origin … (state country of origin).” Place and date, signature of exporter and name in block letters (Products from Ceuta and Melilla must be marked with the abbreviation “CM”). This provision shall not apply to agricultural products.
(e) EUR-MED transport Switzerland
(f) The EU Unitary “Common Shipping Procedure” (NCTS) may be used. However, the proof of origin must be demonstrated in accordance with point (d).