# Liechtenstein (LI) **Capital:** Vaduz **Currency:** Swiss Franc (CHF) (CHF) **Population:** 41,024 — Older stored figure; source year not documented. **Area:** 160 km² > Since 1924 Liechtenstein has formed a common customs territory with Switzerland; there is no customs border with Switzerland and Swiss customs and VAT rates apply. The highly industrialised landlocked state exports precision instruments, tools, dental products and pharmaceuticals. All freight runs by road and rail through Switzerland and Austria; the country has no seaport or airport of its own. Liechtenstein (ISO code: LI) is a doubly landlocked principality in Central Europe between Switzerland and Austria and a constitutional hereditary monarchy with strong rule of law. Its economy is highly industrialised and specialised in precision manufacturing, dental technology, tools, pharmaceuticals and financial services. The defining logistics fact is the 1924 customs treaty with Switzerland: Liechtenstein is part of the Swiss customs territory, there is no customs border with Switzerland, and Swiss customs law, the BAZG customs system Passar and Swiss VAT rates apply. At the same time Liechtenstein has been a member of EFTA and the EEA since 1995, giving it access to the EU single market. The currency is the Swiss franc (CHF). With no seaport or airport of its own, all freight moves by road and rail through Switzerland and Austria; air freight runs via Zurich, St. Gallen-Altenrhein and Friedrichshafen, sea freight via Swiss access ports and the Rhine ports of Basel. **Top Import Partners:** CH, DE, AT, IT, FR **Top Export Partners:** CH, DE, US, AT, IT **Top Import Goods:** Machinery, Electronic devices, Vehicles, Chemical products, Food **Top Export Goods:** Precision instruments, Machinery, Electronic components, Pharmaceuticals, Tools **Key Airports:** - [Balzers Heliport](https://www.freight-academy.com/en/information/airports/balzers-heliport-airport-lsxb) - [Liechtenstein Hospital Helipad](https://www.freight-academy.com/en/information/airports/liechtenstein-hospital-helipad-airport-34947) ## Customs & Import **Import VAT:** Import VAT at Swiss rates via VAT treaty: standard rate 8,1 percent, reduced 2,6 percent, accommodation 3,8 percent (since 1.1.2024). **Customs complexity:** low **Customs system:** Swiss customs system Passar of BAZG (replaces e-dec/NCTS); Liechtenstein belongs to the common customs territory, no customs border with Switzerland. **Customs authority:** [Federal Office for Customs and Border Security (BAZG); on the Liechtenstein side, Office for National Economy](https://www.bazg.admin.ch) ## Logistics & Risk **Logistics role:** High-value industrial location / part of the Swiss customs territory **Economic area:** EFTA / EEA (customs union with Switzerland) **Logistics risk:** low **Dangerous goods relevance:** medium **Pharma/cold chain:** medium to high ## FAQ ### Is there a customs border between Liechtenstein and Switzerland? No. Since 1924, Liechtenstein has formed a common customs territory with Switzerland. In trade with Switzerland there are no customs formalities; the Swiss external border is at the same time Liechtenstein's customs border. ### Which VAT rates apply in Liechtenstein? Under the VAT treaty with Switzerland, the same rates apply: standard rate 8,1 percent, reduced rate 2,6 percent and accommodation rate 3,8 percent (since 1 January 2024). The Liechtenstein Tax Administration is responsible for domestic VAT. ### Which customs authority is responsible for Liechtenstein? Since Liechtenstein belongs to the Swiss customs territory, the Federal Office for Customs and Border Security (BAZG) handles customs formalities. On the Liechtenstein side, the Office for National Economy is responsible for questions on the trade of goods. ### Is Liechtenstein a member of the EU or the EEA? Liechtenstein is not an EU member, but has been a member of the European Economic Area (EEA) and EFTA since 1995. As a result, it has access to the EU single market and at the same time participates in the customs union with Switzerland. ### Does Liechtenstein have its own airport or seaport? No. Liechtenstein is a double landlocked country without its own airport or seaport. Air freight runs via Zurich (ZRH), St. Gallen-Altenrhein or Friedrichshafen, and sea freight via Swiss access ports and the Rhine ports in Basel. ### How is Liechtenstein connected for freight transport? Freight transport runs by road and rail through Switzerland and Austria. The important routes are the A13 in the Rhine Valley, the connection to the A14 at Feldkirch, and the ÖBB railway line Feldkirch-Buchs with stops in Schaan and Nendeln. ### Which sanctions and export control rules apply in Liechtenstein? Liechtenstein mandatorily implements UN sanctions and adopts EU sanctions autonomously (Act on the Enforcement of International Sanctions, ISG, 2008). Export control and dual-use goods are governed by the rules within the framework of the customs union and the EEA. ## Sources & Last Verified - [https://www.bazg.admin.ch](https://www.bazg.admin.ch) - [https://www.llv.li](https://www.llv.li) - [https://www.efta.int](https://www.efta.int) - [https://www.llv.li/en/national-administration/fiscal-authority/value-added-tax/vat-tax-rates](https://www.llv.li/en/national-administration/fiscal-authority/value-added-tax/vat-tax-rates) - [https://www.statistikportal.li/de/themen/bevoelkerung/bevoelkerungsstand](https://www.statistikportal.li/de/themen/bevoelkerung/bevoelkerungsstand) - [https://www.efta.int/about-efta/the-efta-states](https://www.efta.int/about-efta/the-efta-states) - [https://www.llv.li/en/national-administration/financial-intelligence-unit/useful-information/international-and-eusanctions](https://www.llv.li/en/national-administration/financial-intelligence-unit/useful-information/international-and-eusanctions) - [https://www.gesetze.li/konso/2009.041](https://www.gesetze.li/konso/2009.041) *Last verified: 2026-07-22* --- *Freight Academy — Country Profile: [https://www.freight-academy.com/en/information/land/li](https://www.freight-academy.com/en/information/land/li)* *Markdown mirror: [https://www.freight-academy.com/api/md/country/en/li](https://www.freight-academy.com/api/md/country/en/li)*