# Switzerland and China: 99.8 Percent of Exports to Become Duty-Free **Category:** Customs | **Source:** Frachtportal Redaktion | **Published:** 2026-08-24 | **Updated:** 2026-09-12 **Tags:** Schweiz, China, Freihandelsabkommen, FHA, Zoll, Export China, Ursprungsregeln, Präferenzursprung, EUR.1, Zollabbau, Import China, Logistik News, Transport News, Fracht News, Speditions News, Supply Chain News, Zoll News, Frachtportal News, Seefracht > Switzerland and China have agreed on an improved free trade agreement. Up to 99.8 percent of current Swiss exports are expected to become duty-free in the future. --- Switzerland and China have concluded negotiations on the revision of their free trade agreement. For Swiss exporters, this is a major development: in the medium term, 99.8 percent of current Swiss exports to China should be able to be imported duty-free. According to SECO, this currently applies to only 53.6 percent. However, it is important to note: the new tariff rates are not yet in effect. The agreement will first be legally finalized and is expected to be signed in 2026. After that, the necessary approval procedures must be completed in both countries. There is currently no concrete date for the agreement's entry into force. The 99.8 percent will not be implemented all at once. Upon entry into force, 77.5 percent of Swiss exports should be duty-free. For additional goods, tariffs will be gradually reduced over a period of five to a maximum of ten years. Classic Swiss export sectors are expected to benefit particularly. In watches, pharmaceuticals, machinery, precision instruments, plastics, and chemicals, duty-free trade coverage should reach virtually 100 percent following the transition periods. SECO estimates the additional possible tariff savings volume at approximately 244 million francs. For customs clearance, however, tariff rates are not the only factor of interest. Rules of origin will also be adjusted. In future, processing steps in a third country should be possible under certain conditions. Furthermore, the previous requirement that preferential goods must be transported directly between China and Switzerland will be eliminated. Electronic certificates of origin will also be included in the new regulatory framework. This can provide real relief, particularly for international supply chains. Nevertheless, the following continues to apply: duty-free treatment is only granted if the goods actually meet the prescribed rules of origin. --- For the dispatch and customs department, nothing changes today. Until the new agreement actually comes into force, the previous customs rates, rules of origin, and preferential certificates apply. Once the start date is confirmed, you should review your most important China exports by customs tariff number. The key question will be whether customs duties are eliminated immediately or only after five or ten years. The new rules of origin are also interesting. For example, if you process intermediate products from different countries or ship goods to China via a third country, you could have more flexibility in the future. However, be careful: "99.8 percent duty-free" does not mean that practically every Swiss shipment automatically goes to China without customs duties. The goods must meet the preferential origin requirements and be properly documented. Particularly with watches, there is another point to consider: the Chinese luxury tax is not covered by the free trade agreement. Therefore, the elimination of customs duties does not automatically mean that all Chinese levies disappear. In short: for Swiss exporters to China, the agreement will be significantly more attractive. For customs practice, however, the entry into force comes first – and then the correct customs tariff number and proper proof of origin. --- Switzerland and China concluded negotiations on August 20, 2026. The existing free trade agreement has been in force since July 1, 2014. Today, 53.6 percent of Swiss exports to China are completely duty-free under the FTA. Upon entry into force of the optimized agreement, this should reach 77.5 percent. After tariff reduction periods of five to a maximum of ten years, 99.8 percent should be achieved. The additional possible tariff savings volume is estimated by SECO at approximately 244 million Swiss francs. Particularly affected sectors are watches, pharmaceuticals, machinery, chemicals, plastics, and precision instruments. Rules of origin and trade facilitation measures will also be revised. Direct shipment between the two contracting states shall no longer be a mandatory requirement for preferential treatment in the future. The agreement has not yet been signed and is not yet in force. Signature is targeted for 2026. ## Related Entities ### Countries - [Switzerland](https://www.freight-academy.com/en/information/land/ch) - [China](https://www.freight-academy.com/en/information/land/cn) ### Glossary - [Export](https://www.freight-academy.com/en/glossary/export) - [EUR.1 cumulation](https://www.freight-academy.com/en/glossary/eur-1-cumulation) - [EUR.1 certificate](https://www.freight-academy.com/en/glossary/eur-1-certificate) - [Export](https://www.freight-academy.com/en/glossary/export-2) - [Exporter](https://www.freight-academy.com/en/glossary/exporter) - [Free trade agreement](https://www.freight-academy.com/en/glossary/free-trade-agreement) - [HS Code](https://www.freight-academy.com/en/glossary/hs-code) - [Supply Chain](https://www.freight-academy.com/en/glossary/supply-chain) - [Goods](https://www.freight-academy.com/en/glossary/goods) - [Customs duty](https://www.freight-academy.com/en/glossary/customs-duty) - [Customs clearance](https://www.freight-academy.com/en/glossary/customs-clearance-5) - [Agreement](https://www.freight-academy.com/en/glossary/agreement) - [Rules of Origin](https://www.freight-academy.com/en/glossary/rules-of-origin) - [EUR.1 Movement Certificate](https://www.freight-academy.com/en/glossary/eur-1-movement-certificate) - [entry into force](https://www.freight-academy.com/en/glossary/entry-into-force) - [Application of a Free Trade Agreement](https://www.freight-academy.com/en/glossary/application-of-a-free-trade-agreement) - [Third Country](https://www.freight-academy.com/en/glossary/third-country) --- *Canonical URL: [https://www.freight-academy.com/en/news/schweiz-und-china-998-prozent-der-exporte-sollen-zollfrei-werden-20260823195414](https://www.freight-academy.com/en/news/schweiz-und-china-998-prozent-der-exporte-sollen-zollfrei-werden-20260823195414)* *Markdown mirror: [https://www.freight-academy.com/api/md/news/en/schweiz-und-china-998-prozent-der-exporte-sollen-zollfrei-werden-20260823195414](https://www.freight-academy.com/api/md/news/en/schweiz-und-china-998-prozent-der-exporte-sollen-zollfrei-werden-20260823195414)*