GlossaryEN1 min readUpdated: Jun 29, 2026

customs office

At the moment of customs declaration – whether at a land border, seaport, or airport – the customs office acts as the competent government authority.

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Last updated: 29 June 2026Published: 27 January 2026

Source: BAZG (bazg.admin.ch): Dienststellenverzeichnis (bewilligte und besetzte Zollstellen, Öffnungszeiten); Waren anmelden / Warenanmeldung Schweiz; Passar Warenverkehrssystem / Transportprozess mit Passar. Stand: Juni 2026.

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Passar Hub: Everything on the new Swiss customs system

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Definition & Explanation

At the moment of customs declaration – whether at a land border, seaport, or airport – the customs office acts as the competent government authority. It receives and examines import and export declarations, applies risk-based controls, assesses duties and taxes, and releases goods for onward movement. Every cross-border consignment must pass through at least one customs office, either directly or via a licensed customs broker acting on the trader's behalf. Major ports and international airports typically operate several specialised offices covering express freight, postal traffic, or specific commodity categories. The term is broader than "border customs post", which refers specifically to offices located at the physical frontier. In Switzerland the competent authority is the Federal Office for Customs and Border Security (BAZG, formerly the Federal Customs Administration EZV). The BAZG lists the approved and staffed customs offices, their opening hours and responsibilities in its office directory ("Dienststellenverzeichnis"). With digitalisation (the DaziT programme), clearance is increasingly handled through digital channels: the goods declaration and the transport declaration are submitted electronically via the Passar goods-traffic system, the Declar web application and the Activ app, while physical presentation at the customs office is steered on a risk basis through selection (activation of the declaration). Special forms include the border customs post at the physical frontier and the joint customs facility (Gemeinschaftszollanlage) operated jointly by two neighbouring states. Authorised consignors and consignees may clear goods without presenting them at a customs office. Related terms: BAZG, Passar, Declar, goods declaration, transport declaration, selection, joint customs facility, authorised consignee/consignor, assessment decision. As of: June 2026.

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Passar Hub: Everything on the new Swiss customs system

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customs office

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