GlossaryEN1 min readUpdated: Aug 1, 2026

Third Country

A freight forwarder declares a shipment from Switzerland for import into the EU – since Switzerland is not a member of the European Union, it is classified as a third country under customs law.

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Last updated: 1 August 2026

Source: Frachtportal News: "FedEx führt neue Bearbeitungsgebühr für Sendungen in die EU ein"

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Passar Hub: Everything on the new Swiss customs system

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Definition & Explanation

A freight forwarder declares a shipment from Switzerland for import into the EU – since Switzerland is not a member of the European Union, it is classified as a third country under customs law. A third country is a state that is not part of a given economic or customs area under consideration – in the EU context, any country outside the 27 member states, regardless of geographic proximity or bilateral agreements. Shipments from a third country are generally subject to full customs declaration, import duties, and potentially additional fees such as courier processing surcharges. This status can be softened by free trade agreements, for example through preferential tariffs, but remains in place under customs law. Within the EU, by contrast, goods deliveries between member states count as intra-Community trade rather than import from a third country. The term is relative: from the perspective of Swiss customs law, the EU itself is a third territory. Not to be confused with third country in the migration or data protection context, which carries a similar but distinct meaning.

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Calculate customs valueWork out import duties and customs valueOpen Find HS codeDetermine the tariff number for customsOpen Compare IncotermsClarify duties, cost and riskOpen Calculate transit timeEstimate duration per transport modeOpen

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⚡ Current 2026

Passar Hub: Everything on the new Swiss customs system

Passar replaces E-dec and NCTS. Passar 1.0 (export) is live, Passar 2.0 (import) starts from Q2 2026. Roadmap, ePortal registration, deadlines and FAQ — all on one page.

Passar 1.0Passar 2.0 → Q2 2026Passar 3.0 → Q2 2027

Passar Hub →Declar Info

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Third Country

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Related Terms

Recourse against Third Parties in Maritime Transport

fault of third parties

Indemnification against third-party claims

Avoidance trade via third countries

Supplier declaration for a third country

border terminal liability

Passar Hub: Everything on the new Swiss customs system

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