# Swiss Exports to Kosovo Become Gradually Duty-Free **Category:** Customs | **Source:** [Partner] move logistics | **Published:** 2026-09-07 | **Updated:** 2026-09-12 **Tags:** kosovo, schweiz, präferenz, freihandelsabkommen, Logistik News, Transport News, Fracht News, Speditions News, Supply Chain News, Zoll News, Frachtportal News, Seefracht, Zoll > From October, many tariffs on Swiss goods in Kosovo will be eliminated. However, the preferential treatment is not available without proper proof of origin. --- For Swiss companies delivering goods to Kosovo, relief is coming from October 1, 2026. This is when the new free trade agreement between Kosovo and the EFTA comes into force. EFTA stands for the European Free Trade Association. It includes Switzerland, Liechtenstein, Iceland, and Norway. For industrial goods, tariffs should generally be eliminated immediately. For certain agricultural, fish, and seafood products, tariff reduction takes longer or special rules apply. The Federal Council states that current Swiss exports will overall become duty-free. However, in some cases only after a transition period. For us in the freight forwarding office, one thing is particularly important: duty-free does not mean paperwork-free. The goods must have Swiss preferential origin. It is therefore not sufficient that they are simply shipped from a Swiss warehouse. Depending on the shipment, a EUR.1 movement certificate or a correct declaration of origin on the invoice may be required. For declarations of origin, the prescribed wording must be used. Existing authorizations as an authorized exporter also apply to this agreement. Such companies are permitted to issue declarations of origin without value limits. Other exporters can normally only do this up to a goods value of EUR 6,000 or CHF 10,300. For smaller Swiss companies, Kosovo can thus become more interesting. Goods become cheaper compared to today, and Swiss suppliers are less disadvantaged compared to companies from the European Union. However, whether a tariff actually applies must be verified individually for each tariff number. --- Before the first shipment starting in October, I would clarify three things: Is the tariff classification number correct? Does the goods really meet the rules of origin? Is the correct proof of origin available? Also inform the importer or customs agent in Kosovo early. They must request the customs exemption upon import. If the proof is missing, standard duties are usually charged first. Goods that are already in transit or in a customs warehouse on October 1st can also benefit from the exemption under certain conditions. For this, a retroactively issued proof of origin may be necessary. In short: New opportunity for Swiss exports, but please verify tariff classification and origin thoroughly before shipment. --- The agreement applies to Switzerland from 1 October 2026. The contracting parties are Kosovo and the four EFTA states. Iceland and Norway have been applying the agreement since 1 September 2026. Industrial tariffs are generally eliminated in one step. Exceptions or transitional periods apply to certain agricultural, fish and marine products. The rules of origin of the revised PEM agreement are applicable. Shipment from Switzerland alone does not establish Swiss origin. Existing authorizations as authorized exporters remain valid. Tariff rates must be verified on the basis of the tariff number. Trade volume in goods between Switzerland and Kosovo was approximately 175 million francs in 2025. ## Related Entities ### Countries - [Switzerland](https://www.freight-academy.com/en/information/land/ch) - [Kosovo](https://www.freight-academy.com/en/information/land/xk) ### Glossary - [Export](https://www.freight-academy.com/en/glossary/export) - [Export](https://www.freight-academy.com/en/glossary/export-2) - [Freight forwarding](https://www.freight-academy.com/en/glossary/freight-forwarding-2) - [Free trade agreement](https://www.freight-academy.com/en/glossary/free-trade-agreement) - [Freight forwarding](https://www.freight-academy.com/en/glossary/freight-forwarding-3) - [Tariff number](https://www.freight-academy.com/en/glossary/tariff-number) - [Origin of goods](https://www.freight-academy.com/en/glossary/origin-of-goods) - [Goods](https://www.freight-academy.com/en/glossary/goods) - [Customs duty](https://www.freight-academy.com/en/glossary/customs-duty) - [Agreement](https://www.freight-academy.com/en/glossary/agreement) - [Warehouse](https://www.freight-academy.com/en/glossary/warehouse) - [Authorization](https://www.freight-academy.com/en/glossary/authorization) - [Preference logic](https://www.freight-academy.com/en/glossary/preference-logic) - [Preferential origin application](https://www.freight-academy.com/en/glossary/preferential-origin-application) - [Application of a Free Trade Agreement](https://www.freight-academy.com/en/glossary/application-of-a-free-trade-agreement) - [Free Trade Agreement with Switzerland](https://www.freight-academy.com/en/glossary/free-trade-agreement-with-switzerland) - [EFTA Free Trade Agreement](https://www.freight-academy.com/en/glossary/efta-free-trade-agreement) - [Customs origin claim](https://www.freight-academy.com/en/glossary/customs-origin-claim) - [Origin deviation](https://www.freight-academy.com/en/glossary/origin-deviation) - [Origin Proof Compliance](https://www.freight-academy.com/en/glossary/origin-proof-compliance) - [Free Carrier (FCA)](https://www.freight-academy.com/en/glossary/free-carrier-fca) --- *Canonical URL: [https://www.freight-academy.com/en/news/schweizer-exporte-nach-kosovo-werden-schrittweise-zollfrei-20260906081603](https://www.freight-academy.com/en/news/schweizer-exporte-nach-kosovo-werden-schrittweise-zollfrei-20260906081603)* *Markdown mirror: [https://www.freight-academy.com/api/md/news/en/schweizer-exporte-nach-kosovo-werden-schrittweise-zollfrei-20260906081603](https://www.freight-academy.com/api/md/news/en/schweizer-exporte-nach-kosovo-werden-schrittweise-zollfrei-20260906081603)*