GlossaryEN1 min readUpdated: Aug 20, 2026

Customs preference code (Swiss tariff)

An importer brings in vegetable oil intended for paint manufacture and pays a reduced rate of duty – the customs preference code in the declaration is what substantiates that claim.

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Last updated: 20 August 2026

Source: Frachtportal News «Schweiz: Neue Zollpflicht ab November – Was Importeure jetzt vorbereiten müssen»; BAZG: Waren mit Zollerleichterung je nach Verwendungszweck

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Logistics Concept

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Definition & Explanation

An importer brings in vegetable oil intended for paint manufacture and pays a reduced rate of duty – the customs preference code in the declaration is what substantiates that claim. It is a numeric key taken from the Swiss Tares tariff database indicating on which legal basis and for which end use a product is assessed at a reduced rather than the standard rate. The code is tied to the tariff heading: the same commodity may attract different codes, and therefore different rates, depending on whether it is destined for industrial processing, animal feed or a technical application. From 1 November 2026 it must be stated in Switzerland together with assessment type "5 customs relief" and the business partner ID of the holder of the end-use undertaking. Not to be confused with the preferential origin code used under free trade agreements.