GlossaryEN1 min readUpdated: Jun 18, 2026

Customs Seal Requirement Switzerland

Freight forwarders and carriers moving goods through Switzerland under transit or temporary customs closure procedures are required to affix official customs seals to their consignments.

Quick Answer

Last updated: 18 June 2026Published: 22 November 2025

Source: https://www.ch.ch/en/customs-seals/

Category

Find a matching partner on this lane

Reading time

1 min

Words

131

Mentioned in

–

Definition & Explanation

Freight forwarders and carriers moving goods through Switzerland under transit or temporary customs closure procedures are required to affix official customs seals to their consignments. The customs seal requirement ensures that cargo cannot be opened or tampered with during transport without authorisation, and the intact seal serves as physical evidence of the shipment's integrity upon arrival at a customs office. A missing or broken seal raises an immediate presumption of a customs irregularity, with the carrier bearing the burden of proof and potential liability for any customs debt that arises. The Federal Office for Customs and Border Security (FOCBS) verifies seal integrity at border posts and during en-route inspections. The obligation does not apply universally to all shipments; it is triggered by the applicable customs procedure, cargo type, and risk classification.