# State Secretariat for Economic Affairs (SECO)

*Last updated: 2026-06-22*

> Swiss exporters and freight forwarders shipping controlled goods require a permit from the State Secretariat for Economic Affairs (SECO) in many cases before export.

Swiss exporters and freight forwarders shipping controlled goods require a permit from the State Secretariat for Economic Affairs (SECO) in many cases before export. SECO is Switzerland's federal authority for economic policy and foreign trade; as a directorate within the Federal Department of Economic Affairs, Education and Research (EAER), it administers export controls, embargoes, and international sanctions regimes. Coverage extends to dual-use goods, war materiel, and certain technologies—whether prior authorization is needed depends on product classification and country of destination. In day-to-day freight operations, this means verifying before booking whether a SECO application is required, as processing times can run to several weeks. SECO also maintains current sanctions lists against which shippers and forwarders must regularly screen customers and end recipients.

**Source:** [https://www.seco.admin.ch](https://www.seco.admin.ch)

## Quick Facts

| Property | Value |
|---|---|
| Term | State Secretariat for Economic Affairs (SECO) |
| Language | EN |
| Word count | 121 |
| Last updated | 2026-06-22 |
| Source | https://www.seco.admin.ch |

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