# Switzerland (CH) **Capital:** Bern **Currency:** Swiss Franc (CHF) (CHF) **Population:** 9,124,300 — Older stored figure; source year not documented. **Area:** 41,285 km² > Switzerland is a landlocked country in the heart of Europe and one of the continent's most important transit and high-value logistics hubs. As an EFTA member it is not part of the EU customs union; imports and exports are handled by the Federal Office for Customs and Border Security (BAZG) and the new digital customs system Passar. Road and rail corridors across the Alps (Gotthard, Loetschberg, Rhine-Alpine Corridor) link Northern Europe with Italy, while Zurich, Geneva and EuroAirport Basel carry air freight, especially for pharma and high-value goods. As a landlocked market, Switzerland relies on access ports such as Rotterdam, Antwerp, Hamburg and Genoa, plus Rhine barge traffic up to Basel. Switzerland (CH) is a landlocked country in Central Europe and a central transit and high-value logistics hub between Northern Europe and Italy. As an EFTA member it is not part of the EU customs union: imports and exports are processed through the Federal Office for Customs and Border Security (BAZG) and the digital customs system Passar, complemented by a dense network of free trade agreements. Its foreign-trade profile is shaped by pharmaceuticals, chemicals, precision machinery, watches and a strong financial sector, which makes temperature-controlled air freight and high-value shipments particularly important. Freight moves across the Alpine Gotthard and Loetschberg corridors (Rhine-Alpine Corridor) by road and rail, through the cargo airports of Zurich, Geneva and EuroAirport Basel and, as a landlocked market, via the North Sea and Mediterranean ports of Rotterdam, Antwerp, Hamburg and Genoa, plus Rhine barge traffic up to the Swiss Rhine Ports in Basel. This combination makes Switzerland one of Europe's most reliable yet most demanding customs and transit markets. **Top Import Partners:** DE, IT, FR, US, CN **Top Export Partners:** US, DE, CN, FR, IT **Top Import Goods:** Machinery, Chemicals, Vehicles, Pharmaceuticals, Electronics **Top Export Goods:** Pharmaceuticals, Watches, Machinery, Chemicals, Precious metals **Key Airports:** - [Geneva Cointrin International Airport (GVA)](https://www.freight-academy.com/en/information/airports/geneva-cointrin-international-airport-gva) - [Zürich Airport (ZRH)](https://www.freight-academy.com/en/information/airports/zuerich-airport-zrh) - [Alpnach Air Base](https://www.freight-academy.com/en/information/airports/alpnach-air-base-airport-lsma) - [Bern Airport (BRN)](https://www.freight-academy.com/en/information/airports/bern-airport-brn) - [Dübendorf Air Base](https://www.freight-academy.com/en/information/airports/duebendorf-air-base-airport-lsmd) - [Emmen Air Base (EML)](https://www.freight-academy.com/en/information/airports/emmen-air-base-airport-eml) - [Grenchen Airfield](https://www.freight-academy.com/en/information/airports/grenchen-airport-lszg) - [Les Eplatures Airport](https://www.freight-academy.com/en/information/airports/les-eplatures-airport-lsgc) - [Lugano Airport (LUG)](https://www.freight-academy.com/en/information/airports/lugano-airport-lug) - [Payerne Air Base (VIP)](https://www.freight-academy.com/en/information/airports/payerne-air-base-airport-vip) ## Customs & Import **Import VAT:** Import VAT (MWST) collected by BAZG: standard rate 8.1 percent, reduced rate 2.6 percent (food, medicines, books), accommodation rate 3.8 percent (since 2024). De minimis: collection only from a duty amount of CHF 5 **Customs complexity:** medium **Customs system:** Passar (BAZG, DaziT programme). Import migration to Passar 2.0: pilot since Q2 2026; e-dec Import replaced as of 31.03.2027, parallel phase until 30.09.2027. GP-ID replaces the ZAZ account from 2026. **Customs authority:** [Federal Office for Customs and Border Security (BAZG)](https://www.bazg.admin.ch) ## Logistics & Risk **Logistics role:** Transit and import country, pharma and high-value hub **Economic area:** EFTA (not EU customs union) **Logistics risk:** low **Dangerous goods relevance:** medium to high **Pharma/cold chain:** very high ## FAQ ### Which documents do I need for importing into Switzerland? Commonly required are a commercial invoice, packing list, an electronic customs declaration (Passar or, during the transition, e-dec) and a transport document (CMR, AWB or B/L). For preferential treatment, a proof of origin such as EUR.1 or an origin declaration is also required. ### What is the import VAT (MWST) rate in Switzerland? The standard rate is 8.1 percent, the reduced rate 2.6 percent (including food, medicines, books) and the accommodation rate 3.8 percent. Import VAT is collected by the BAZG. ### Is there a threshold for small consignments? Customs duties and import VAT are only collected once the charge amount exceeds CHF 5. However, foreign online retailers with more than CHF 100'000 annual turnover from small consignments become liable for VAT in Switzerland. ### Is Switzerland part of the EU customs union? No. Switzerland is an EFTA member and not part of the EU customs union. Trade in goods with the EU is governed by the 1972 free trade agreement and other bilateral agreements. ### Which customs system does Switzerland use? Within the DaziT programme, the BAZG is switching to the digital Passar system. Transit and export already run via Passar; import will be migrated to Passar 2.0 in 2026, with e-dec import running in parallel during the transition. ### Which ports does Switzerland use as a landlocked country? Sea freight mainly runs via Rotterdam, Antwerp, Hamburg and Genoa. For inland waterway transport, the Swiss Rhine ports in Basel are used. ### Which airports are relevant for air freight? The main cargo airports are Zurich (ZRH), Geneva (GVA) and EuroAirport Basel-Mulhouse-Freiburg (BSL), especially for pharma and high-value goods. ## Sources & Last Verified - [https://www.bazg.admin.ch](https://www.bazg.admin.ch) - [https://www.estv.admin.ch](https://www.estv.admin.ch) - [https://www.seco.admin.ch](https://www.seco.admin.ch) - [https://www.bazg.admin.ch/bazg/en/home/services/services-firmen/services-firmen_einfuhr-ausfuhr-durchfuhr/passar.html](https://www.bazg.admin.ch/bazg/en/home/services/services-firmen/services-firmen_einfuhr-ausfuhr-durchfuhr/passar.html) - [https://www.estv.admin.ch/en/vat-rates-switzerland](https://www.estv.admin.ch/en/vat-rates-switzerland) - [https://www.bazg.admin.ch/de/roadmap-passar-2-und-3](https://www.bazg.admin.ch/de/roadmap-passar-2-und-3) - [https://www.bazg.admin.ch/de/schwerverkehrsabgabe-lsva](https://www.bazg.admin.ch/de/schwerverkehrsabgabe-lsva) *Last verified: 2026-07-21* --- *Freight Academy — Country Profile: [https://www.freight-academy.com/en/information/land/ch](https://www.freight-academy.com/en/information/land/ch)* *Markdown mirror: [https://www.freight-academy.com/api/md/country/en/ch](https://www.freight-academy.com/api/md/country/en/ch)*